In an interview with NME, Howard said that the sequel is not on the current priority list of Lucasfilm, but given that anything is possible in the cinematic world, he would not entirely close the doors to extending the narrative of the anthology film given that fan outcry sometimes plays a role in the continuation of any story.
“The only discussion that I’m aware of about a sequel for ‘Solo’ is coming from the fans at this point. I don’t think it’s a Lucasfilm priority, as I understand it,” he said. “But there’s some great characters launched, and the folks from Lucasfilm love the fans and really do listen so I would never say never, but I’m not aware of any concrete plans right now to extend the story or deal with that particular set of characters.”
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Despite the fans’ demands for a part two right now, Solo did not perform well at the box office given the huge expectations it had to meet after the success of the prior anthology film Rogue One. The 2018 film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and audiences, and it grossed just shy of $400 million against its reported $300 million production budget.
In 2019, the prequel’s director reflected on the film’s failure with the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “It made a lot of money, it just didn’t live up to expectations,” Howard admitted. “I came in eager to help, felt like I could, and had a blast. Normally it takes three years, I worked eight months and had an experience. I feel very good about the way it turned out. I loved the way it played to audiences, which I witnessed. All of that I am able to feel good about.”
Aside from fans, another person who is campaigning to have a second shot at the prequel is writer Jonathan Kasdan. He admitted to The Hollywood Reporter, “If Dryden Vos is so concerned about exposing his gang in the heist, why does he send his most trusted aid to be the most visible member of the team that steals the coaxium? It always drove me crazy, and it was a problem that I was eager to retcon in a sequel.”
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Solo: A Star Wars Story follows a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he teams up with a group of intergalactic smugglers and Chewbacca, a 190-year-old Wookie. While trying to flee a criminal boss as teenagers, Han and his girlfriend Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) are split up; he succeeds in getting away, but she is taken prisoner. He promises to return to get her.
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Solo: A Star Wars Story is available to watch on Disney+.
