The first reactions for Solo: A Star Wars Story are now online. After Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘s divisive reception, some fans have been cautious to get excited about another Star Wars film, let alone a prequel. The second Star Wars anthology film centers on Han Solo as he begins his journey into becoming the smuggler that everyone knows and loves. Alden Ehrenreich is taking the mantle off Harrison Ford’s shoulders for Solo, which co-stars Donald Glover as young Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke as Q’ira, and Woody Harrelson as Han’s mentor, Beckett.

Solo had a tumultuous production, which left fans even less optimistic about its potential. Original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were booted from the project just three weeks before principal photography was scheduled to wrap. But, after a few days in limbo, Lucasfilm announced that Oscar-winning director Ron Howard would be seeing the movie through. As filming continued over the following months, numerous reports had surfaced regarding what had changed and what was retained from Lord and Miller’s cut. In that regard, a recent report indicated that Howard had reshot 70 percent of Solo, but that shouldn’t matter since all anyone involved wants to do is deliver a solid film for audiences. And now, fans can see if it was all worth it in the end.

Lucasfilm held the world premiere for Solo: A Star Wars Story tonight in Los Angeles, CA, where select members of the press were able to view the movie for the first time alongside the film’s cast and crew – and the first critic reactions have now flooded online.

And, although it may be a bit slow at first, it eventually finds its footing. Unsurprisingly, Glover is getting a lot of love for his portrayal as the young Lando Calrissian, fueling people’s calls for a possible standalone movie for the character. Ehrenreich, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to disappoint as well, doing a good job of making the role his own despite Ford’s indelible stamp on it. Meanwhile, Thandie Newton as Val and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Lando’s droid companion, L3-37, also get special mentions. In the grand scheme of things, critics are hailing the film as a fun and thrilling intergalactic heist movie with emotional beats and a welcome addition to the Star Wars franchise.

It’s important to note that on top of the production kerfuffle, people weren’t initially sold on the idea of a Han Solo origin story. But seeing these kinds of reactions must feel great for everyone involved. If anything, the positive buzz would only help Solo: A Star Wars Story boost its opening weekend sales which is already poised to nab $170+ million over the holiday weekend – easily posting a new all-time record for that window which is currently held by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End with $139.8 million. Be sure to check back next week for the film’s early reviews.

KEY RELEASE DATES
Solo: A Star Wars Story release date: May 25, 2018
Star Wars 9 / Star Wars: Episode IX release date: Dec 20, 2019