Disney CEO Confirms 'Star Wars' Will Have Special Movie for Han Solo
Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed that Disney has prepared to make a movie about Han Solo in his younger years. He also iterated that Carrie Fisher's role as Princess Leia Organa "Star Wars" would never be replaced with digital graphics.
The 66-year-old executive appeared in the technology conference held at the University of Southern California on Thursday, March 23. He spoke about the upcoming "Star Wars" movie, the "Last Jedi" and stated that Carrie Fisher's role in the movie would never be replaced with digital graphics. Later, he disclosed the standalone project for Han Solo as reported by Variety. The new film will follow the young Han Solo from the age 18 to 24 years old.
“There were a few things that happened significant in Han Solo’s life," Iger said to the audience regarding the new "Star Wars" movie about Han Solo. The movie will explain many important moments in Solo's life, including meeting Chewbacca and how he obtained Millennium Falcon. Iger also said, "You’ll also discover how he got his name.”
In front of the audience, Iger also announced that he would extend his contract as Disney CEO for two years according to report from Entertainment Weekly. After two years, Iger will step down from the position that he has been holding since 2005 when he replaced Michael Eisner. Iger has been the key person behind the acquisition of "Star Wars" franchise and capitalizing the franchise to get maximum profit, including creating Star Wars anthology like the new Han Solo film and "Rogue One" as the prequel to "Episode IV: A New Hope."
Under Iger, Disney acquired three big media companies Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilm, spending total $15.5 billion for the acquisition of the copyrights owners of many franchise films including "Star Wars." His decision to stay and oversee the "Han Solo" project will allow Disney to have enough time to look for his successor. Watch the commentary from Walter Isaacson from Aspen Institute regarding the announcement from Iger about his contract extension in the CNBC below: