Kathleen Kennedy Reflects on a Star Wars Regret
When Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas more than a decade ago, expectations soared. The promise of fresh stories and characters excited fans around the globe. However, not every new chapter found its footing. While blockbuster releases like the sequel trilogy and Disney+ entries such as The Mandalorian and Andor (which ended in 2025) made waves, some efforts faltered along the way.
Solo: A Star Wars Story—Kennedy's “Bit of Regret”
In an interview with Deadline, Kennedy discussed her “bit of regret” about Solo: A Star Wars Story. The 2018 film, directed by Ron Howard, tasked Alden Ehrenreich with portraying a young Han Solo—a character so closely associated with Harrison Ford that it posed major hurdles. Kennedy remarked that even though Ehrenreich delivered a strong performance and was a “wonderful actor,” they placed him in what she called “an impossible situation.” Here’s her own words:
No, I don’t really have any regrets. Well, maybe a bit of regret about Solo: A Star Wars Story. I brought Larry Kasdan in on, and we were so excited about that idea. And then when you’re into something and you realize fundamentally, conceptually, you cannot replace Han Solo, at least right now.
As wonderful as Alden Ehrenreich was, and he really was good, and is a wonderful actor, we put him in an impossible situation. And once you’re in it and once you’re committed, you’ve got to carry on. I think I have a bit of regret about that, but not about the moviemaking and filmmaking. I don’t have regrets about that. I just think that conceptually, we did it too soon.
The Star Wars Anthology Experiment
Solo: A Star Wars Story was the second anthology film in the franchise’s Disney era. Its predecessor, 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, chronicled the desperate mission to steal the Death Star plans. Rogue One became a cult favorite, praised for its unique perspective within the legendary saga.
While Solo was not universally beloved, it earned some praise. Ehrenreich managed to capture the spirit of a young Han without simply imitating Ford. The cast, including Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke as Qi'ra, and Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett, gave strong performances. Still, the film faced steep challenges. The timing proved unlucky; it arrived soon after Han’s dramatic and contested death in The Force Awakens, which might have made audiences less receptive. Kennedy now believes that waiting longer before telling Han's story could have helped.
Star Wars: A Franchise That Never Stops Growing
Since George Lucas brought Star Wars to screens in 1977, the franchise has expanded across films, TV, books, games, and more. Lucasfilm's momentum, especially following Disney’s acquisition, has kept Star Wars a touchstone of global culture, drawing new generations with projects like The Mandalorian on Disney+.
Looking ahead, there’s hope among fans—and perhaps within Lucasfilm itself—that characters introduced in Solo could one day return. Even in a universe as vast as Star Wars, there’s always room for a second chance.
