2K

Kendall Schroeder takes a deeper look at the galaxy’s favorite smuggler in the first teaser trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Beginning inside a familiar cockpit, the first full-length teaser trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story is out and it packs a punch. With a 45-second teaser during Super Bowl LII and poster art dropping simultaneously, Han Solo is back and all signs point to one action-packed, thrill ride of a movie. The second installment of the Star Wars anthology films is set to open on May 25, the exact date that, 41 years earlier, the original Star Wars changed storytelling forever. But, how will it handle a character as established as the cocky smuggler? With a bounty of images, Lucasfilm has offered up a gritty look into a few of Star Wars’ most iconic characters before they were heroes of the galaxy.

Running Scams

The teaser kicks things off with a car chase through the streets of what might be Corellia. Han, portrayed with a familiar swagger by Alden Ehrenreich, is in the driver’s seat of his hover speeder. Apparent from the word go, he’s a hotshot. With a familiar set of dice hanging from the dash and the girl by his side, he outruns his pursuers. The girl, Qi’ra (Emelia Clarke), and Han seem to be playing younger versions of themselves in this part of the film. Han is speaking in the voice-over. “I’ve been running scams on the streets since I was 10.” This statement sets the stage for what’s to come. There will be a scam to run.

A Pilot, the Best in the Galaxy

In the next scene, the voice over continues. “I’m gonna be a pilot. The best in the galaxy.” The camera pans through a familiar corridor, but this corridor is fresh, clean, in mint condition. This passageway is no doubt the Millennium Falcon, however, it doesn’t resemble a hunk of junk here. It’s fresh off the line, pristine. It’s hard to believe this is the same ship. But, something is still different.

I’m Putting Together a Crew

Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Han are seen together on another world with ancient spires jutting out of the rubble. Each spire appears to have engravings of unknown civilizations that came before. Not much is known of Beckett. Is this his home or is he just a drifter? He seems to know Han. He wears a similar blaster and holster. Beckett tells Solo that he’s assembling a crew. Maybe this is the scam. Will this be the heist that brings our new heroes together?

The Good, the Smooth, and the Beautiful

The next quick shots show the crew. Qi’ra is back but this time she looks much more regal than the last time she was seen in Han’s hot rod speeder. The first glimpse of Lando, portrayed by the ever-so-smooth Donald Glover, graces the screen. Val (Thandie Newton) is seen briefly with gun in hand. Then there’s the four-armed, monkey-faced, alien creature. Something that every good crew needs. Could this be the A-Team?

The Sabacc Table

The next scene could be taken right out of an old western. A silhouette of Han Solo looking into a room filled with a cast of characters. Could this be the infamous game of sabacc? It’s difficult to make out the players in this room. Although, one looks familiar. There has been talk of the Spice Mines of Kessel being featured in this film. And, from the Clone Wars animated series the Pykes were known to be responsible for maintaining the spice mines. Could the creature on the left be from the Pyke Syndicate? Will we see the Kessel Run?

Who’s Flying this Thing

What would a new Star Wars movie be without a new droid? L3-37 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge via motion-capture) is seen in the co-pilot seat of the Falcon with Lando by her side. They signal each other as if they have been in this situation many times before. In synchronized fashion, they engage the hyperdrive levers and the Millennium Falcon is off. Where to is hard to tell.

A Singing Fish in a Cantina

Just because.

Don’t Bring a Staff to a Gunfight

As the teaser trailer continues, the western vibe grows stronger. This already iconic shot, is classic western fare. Just imagine, a new theme for our hero plays in the background. Han Solo is facing down an unknown villain. Flanked by his villainous horde, this foe is decked out in tribal armor, which doesn’t seem to be a match for a good blaster. Who is this ominous being behind the mask? Could this be Paul Bettany’s character?

The Falcon

The last part of the trailer shows the Millennium Falcon in action with our favorite scoundrel and his new companion, Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) by his side. Also in the cockpit are Beckett and Qu’ra. They are once again on the run, this time from a Star Destroyer and a new design of TIE Fighter. Showing off his hot shot piloting skills, Solo performs a maneuver that takes out a TIE. But, his cocky attitude almost gets the best of him. After he quips, “It’s fine. We’re fine.” Han realizes that they’re not out of danger yet. A large, tentacled space creature is waiting to finish them for good. Will they make it out alive? Never tell him the odds.

Wanted

The gorgeous character posters that were released the same day as the trailer continue the western theme. These new, and old, characters are wanted. They take on the imperial navy and they have bounties on their heads. The character posters are depicted as old style wanted ads. Perfect for this film. Will the new crew make it out alive? On May 25, the cards will be dealt.