Disney hasn’t always had an easy time bringing Star Wars stories to the big screen. While some projects have become massive hits, others have struggled to find an audience.
One movie in particular seemed unlikely to get another chance after its disappointing theatrical run. Despite featuring several beloved characters, the film failed to deliver the success Disney expected.
But eight years later, Lucasfilm has officially decided to revisit the story.
Fans will finally get a continuation, although Disney has chosen a different approach rather than returning to theaters.
Disney’s Expensive Gamble Didn’t Pay Off
Disney had high expectations when Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) arrived in theaters.
The movie introduced audiences to a younger Han Solo, with Alden Ehrenreich stepping into the role Harrison Ford made famous. Donald Glover played Lando Calrissian, while Emilia Clarke portrayed Qi’ra.
The story explored Han’s life before his later adventures, including his friendship with Chewbacca and his first encounter with the Millennium Falcon.
However, the movie struggled financially.
Despite earning approximately $393 million worldwide, its reported production budget reached around $300 million. After accounting for marketing expenses and the money theaters kept, the film became a costly disappointment.
Behind-the-scenes problems didn’t help matters. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller left during production, forcing Disney to bring in Ron Howard to finish the movie.
Although the film attracted some loyal supporters, its box office performance made an immediate sequel unlikely.
For years, Disney appeared ready to leave that chapter behind.
Lucasfilm Finally Confirms What’s Coming Next
Lucasfilm reportedly announced an official continuation of Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) during New York Comic-Con 2026.
However, fans shouldn’t expect another movie starring Ehrenreich and Glover.
Instead, the story will continue through a comic titled Star Wars: Smugglers & Scoundrels – The Black Sun Eclipse.
Set two years after the events of Solo, the adventure reunites Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian.
This time, the characters find themselves owing money to Black Sun, a dangerous criminal organization. Han thinks he has a plan to escape their financial troubles, but an approaching eclipse threatens to make everything more complicated.
Adam Lance Garcia will write the comic, with Liana Kangas providing the artwork.
Mad Cave Studios plans to release the project through its Papercutz label in fall 2027.
The announcement marks the 2018 movie’s first official sequel in comic book form, allowing Disney to revisit the characters without committing to another expensive theatrical production.
What About the Long-Awaited Lando Project?
The news also raises questions about another Star Wars project that has been in development for years.
Donald Glover has remained involved with a proposed Lando Calrissian spinoff, which originally began as a Disney+ series before shifting toward a theatrical movie.
However, Disney still hasn’t announced a release date.
With Dave Filoni now leading Lucasfilm, fans are watching to see which projects move forward.
The new comic doesn’t confirm anything about Lando’s live-action future, but it does give audiences another opportunity to follow the character’s adventures.
And Disney has several other unfinished stories that could receive similar treatment.
Other Star Wars Stories Could Get Another Chance
Lucasfilm has introduced numerous characters through Disney+, but several productions have uncertain futures.
Obi-Wan Kenobi remains without an announced second season, despite Ewan McGregor expressing interest in returning.
The Book of Boba Fett also left room for additional storytelling, even though audiences had mixed reactions.
Meanwhile, Disney canceled The Acolyte after its first season, and Skeleton Crew hasn’t been confirmed for a second season.
Comics or novels could allow these characters to return without requiring another television production.
Disney hasn’t announced those continuations, but the decision to revisit Solo shows that an unsuccessful project doesn’t necessarily have to disappear forever.
Disney Still Has Big Plans for Theaters
While Han Solo’s next adventure heads to publishing, Lucasfilm is also preparing Star Wars: Starfighter (2027).
The Shawn Levy-directed movie stars Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon and takes place approximately five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Aaron Pierre also appear in the film, which is scheduled for May 28, 2027.
Unlike the Solo continuation, Starfighter will tell an original story.
For now, Disney hasn’t confirmed another theatrical adventure for Han Solo. However, the upcoming comic gives fans something they haven’t had in eight years: an official continuation of a movie many believed Disney had left behind.
