Story perspectives

Kathleen Kennedy Reflects on Solo's Flaws, Future Leadership

1/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, says her only regret is Solo (2018) in a Deadline interview.
She acknowledged the challenge of replacing Han Solo, originally portrayed by Harrison Ford.
Despite excitement for the project, she realized it was conceptually flawed.
The film starred Alden Ehrenreich and grossed $393 million against a $275 million budget.
Kennedy says she does not regret filmmaking and will pass leadership to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

History

Historical Context

"Star Wars," released in 1977, transformed cinema and grossed over $775 million, establishing a vast franchise. The 2018 film "Solo: A Star Wars Story" introduced Qi'ra, a complex character played by Emilia Clarke, who navigates the criminal underworld. Despite its $393 million earnings against a $275 million budget, the film faced challenges in developing legacy characters, highlighting the need for innovative storytelling in the franchise's future.

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Story summary

Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, says her only regret is Solo (2018) in a Deadline interview.
She acknowledged the challenge of replacing Han Solo, originally portrayed by Harrison Ford.
Despite excitement for the project, she realized it was conceptually flawed.
The film starred Alden Ehrenreich and grossed $393 million against a $275 million budget.
Kennedy says she does not regret filmmaking and will pass leadership to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

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