Solo Is The Perfect Star Wars Movie To Rewatch Before The Mandalorian & Grogu

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Star Wars fans are thrilled about the new film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is the first release in seven years. Given how much money previous Star Wars movies have made, it’s surprising it took so long to get another one. The reason for Disney’s hesitation with big-budget Star Wars films goes back to 2018, when Solo: A Star Wars Story came out – before that, every movie in the series had been a success.

The first three Star Wars films released by Disney were huge successes, each earning over $1 billion worldwide, and even the standalone film Rogue One did well. However, Solo: A Star Wars Story wasn’t successful, making less than $400 million despite costing around $365 million to produce. This may have been due to lukewarm reviews and the mixed reaction to The Last Jedi. As a result, Disney decided to pause making Star Wars movies for theaters after The Rise of Skywalker.

The popularity of The Mandalorian has encouraged filmmakers to create more Star Wars movies. The Mandalorian and Grogu will continue the sci-fi western style that has always been a strength of the Star Wars universe. Because of this, watching Solo: A Star Wars Story beforehand is a great way to prepare for the new film.

Solo Is A Sci-Fi Western Like The Mandalorian & Grogu

Although the entire Star Wars saga could be reimagined as a sci-fi western, Solo: A Star Wars Story fits the genre particularly well. It’s a more intimate story than other Star Wars films, essentially a space-based adventure with the feel of a classic western. The movie focuses on the beginnings of Han Solo, showing how he first met Chewbacca and developed his connection with Lando Calrissian.

The movie also features Han in a robbery, giving it a strong western feel. From the desert landscapes to the heist itself, much of Solo: A Star Wars Story plays like a classic western – without the spaceships, it could easily be one. This same western vibe is apparent in the trailers for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and because of their similarities, Solo is a great film to revisit if you’re a fan of the show.

Maul – Shadow Lord Makes Solo More Intriguing

Okay, so everyone’s talking about The Mandalorian and Grogu, but honestly, it’s a great time to revisit Solo: A Star Wars Story too. I totally forgot how cool it was to see Darth Maul show up at the end! It had been ages since The Phantom Menace, and seeing him again was a real surprise. The movie sets up Qi’ra, Han’s love interest, working for Maul, and it ends with her going off to meet him on Dathomir after their heist goes wrong. It really adds some interesting layers when you watch The Mandalorian knowing all of that backstory!

Darth Maul’s return was unexpected, but he quickly became a key figure in Star Wars animated shows. Several standout episodes of The Clone Wars and Rebels centered around him, and he even got his own series, Maul – Shadow Lord, which has been highly praised and is now considered one of the best Star Wars shows ever made. His appearance in Solo: A Star Wars Story neatly connects Maul – Shadow Lord to the events of The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Solo Is A Lot Better Than It Gets Credit For

Ultimately, Solo: A Star Wars Story is worth rewatching because it’s a much better film than most people think. It didn’t do well in theaters and got mixed reviews, leading many – even Star Wars fans – to overlook it. That’s a shame, as the movie has a lot going for it, including a strong cast, an engaging story, and memorable music.

Alden Ehrenreich’s performance as Han Solo wasn’t universally loved, but he does a good job considering the challenge of following Harrison Ford. Emilia Clarke shines as Qi’ra, and Donald Glover is particularly impressive as a young Lando Calrissian. The film also features a strong supporting cast including Woody Harrelson, Thandiwe Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Paul Bettany. Seeing these characters in a space western adventure makes for an entertaining movie.

The movie has some uneven moments, particularly with the change in directors from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to Ron Howard, but it’s still enjoyable. While it might not be one of the best Star Wars films, it has a lot going for it. The music is excellent and offers a fresh sound for the franchise, and the film works well as a self-contained adventure with solid action sequences.

Some Solo Characters Have Popped Up Elsewhere

Though many people may have missed or forgotten about Solo: A Star Wars Story, it’s actually a worthwhile addition to the Star Wars universe. Several characters introduced in the film have since appeared in other Star Wars projects. The most prominent example, beyond Han and Chewbacca’s continued appearances, is Qi’ra, who is the central character in a comic book series detailing her ascent within the criminal organization, Crimson Dawn.

Qi’ra has appeared beyond the films in the animated series Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and in novels like Most Wanted and the Crimson Trilogy. She’s also featured in the mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and on related merchandise. Similarly, Enfys Nest, the leader of the Cloud-Riders, though a smaller role in the movie, has appeared in a comic book connected to the film.

The characters, especially Maul, really highlight why Solo: A Star Wars Story is so valuable. It feels like the perfect movie to watch to build anticipation for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

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2026-05-20 19:19