While we’re now just a couple of months away from the release of the first-everStar Warsspinoff movieRogue One: A Star Wars Story, Lucasfilm is currently in the midst of readying thesecondspinoff, theuntitled Young Han Solo movie.21 Jump StreetandThe LEGO MoviedirectorsPhil LordandChris Millerlanded the highly coveted gig, and while it may mark the duo’s biggest challenge yet, they’ve successfully traversed the worlds of action, comedy, and animation spectacle, so one imagines they’ve got the goods to deliver one hell of aStar Warsmovie. And now the Young Han Solo project just got evenmoreenticing, asit’s been revealedthatBradford Younghas signed on to be the film’s cinematographer.
If you’re unfamiliar with Young’s name, you’ve no doubt seen his work. He got his start with indies likePariahandAva DuVernay’sMiddle of Nowherebefore tackling a Western canvas with 2013’sAin’t Them Bodies Saints, which was followed up by a banner 2014 that saw him deliver truly stunning work in DuVernay’s MLK filmSelmaandJ.C. Chandor’s striking 80s-set thrillerA Most Violent Year. Most recently, whenSicariodirectorDenis Villeneuvecouldn’t getRoger Deakinsfor his sci-fi dramaArrival(Deakins was busy withHail Caesar!), Villeneuve turned to Young to shoot the first contact film. If that’s not one hell of an endorsement—being second choice to Roger Freaking Deakins—then I don’t know what is.
I’ve seenArrivaland can tell youYoung’s work in that film is haunting and atmospheric, capturing the film visually in a way that reinforces the themes of grief and tragedy. It’s spectacular but not surprising given his prior work—I mean that Edmund Pettus Bridge sequence alone inSelmais tremendous. And now, he’s going to shoot aStar Warsmovie. That is crazy exciting.
While Marvel Studios is keen on keeping all of their films in the same visual spectrum, using the same cinematographers for multiple films in the MCU, Lucasfilm has shown an encouraging willingness to allow their filmmakers to assemble their own unique teams.J.J. Abramsenlisted his frequent cinematographerDan MindelforThe Force Awakens,Gareth Edwardsworked with hisGodzillaDP andZero Dark ThirtylenserGreig FraseronRogue One, and whenRian Johnsonmade the leap toStar Wars: Episode VIII, he did so with hisLooperandThe Brothers BloomDPSteve Yedlinat his side.
There’s certainly something to be said about films in a cinematic universe feeling like part of a whole, but Lucasfilm is taking something of an auteur approach to theStar Warsmovies, which in turn is lettingsome of the best cinematographers working todayshowcase their talents on a massive scale. Young is indeed one of the most exciting DPs working in the medium, and I can’t wait to see what he, Lord, and Miller put together. Now, shouldHoyte van Hoytemabe waiting by the phone forStar Wars: Episode IX?
Having setAlden Ehrenreichto star, the untitled Young Han Solo movie is currently in the midst of casting ahead of a production start-date of January or February 2017. The film is slated for release on June 03, 2025.
