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Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a 2018 American science-fiction action-adventure film set in the Star Wars universe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a 2018 American science-fiction action-adventure film set in the Star Wars universe. It follows a young Han Solo as he meets Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and other figures in the criminal underworld before the events of the original Star Wars film.

Plot

The film follows Han Solo from his early life on Corellia into the criminal underworld, where he meets Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. Its story establishes key parts of Han Solo’s background, including his relationship with Qi’ra and his path toward becoming a smuggler. The plot centres on a heist and Han’s early involvement in the galaxy’s criminal underworld.

Cast

The principal cast includes Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany. The film also features supporting performances from several other actors associated with the Star Wars franchise production.

Production and release

Solo: A Star Wars Story was released in 2018 and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It has a runtime of 135 minutes and was released in theatres on May 23, 2018. Ron Howard is credited as the film’s director.

Reception

The film received mixed-to-positive attention and was reviewed by major entertainment and review outlets. Listed box-office information in the provided sources gives its U.S. gross as $213.8 million.

Key facts

  • The film is a standalone Star Wars origin story focused on Han Solo.
  • It is set roughly a decade before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
  • Alden Ehrenreich plays a young Han Solo, with Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.
  • The plot centres on a heist and Han’s early involvement in the galaxy’s criminal underworld.
  • Ron Howard is credited as the film’s director.
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Canadian context

The film was released and marketed in Canada as part of the wider Star Wars franchise, and Canadian audiences know it as a major Disney-era Star Wars release.

Frequently asked questions

What is Solo: A Star Wars Story about?
It is an origin story about a young Han Solo, showing how he meets Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian and becomes involved in criminal underworld adventures.
Who directed Solo: A Star Wars Story?
Ron Howard directed the film.
When was Solo: A Star Wars Story released?
It was released on May 23, 2018.
Who plays Han Solo in the film?
Alden Ehrenreich plays Han Solo.
Where does the story fit in the Star Wars timeline?
It is set about a decade before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

References

  1. StarWars.com — https://www.starwars.com/films/solo
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, director, and official plot description
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solo:_A_Star_Wars_Story
    Supports: Cast, premise, and timeline placement
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80220814
    Supports: Release year, rating, cast, and plot summary
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/solo_a_star_wars_story
    Supports: Runtime, MPAA rating, theatrical release date, and box office figure
  5. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/solo-a-star-wars-story/
    Supports: Director and screenwriters