Concept Artist Iain McCaig Talks Han Solo Script

Concept Artist Iain McCaig, who worked on Star Wars Episodes I, II, III, and VII (The Force Awakens), has seen the script for the standalone Han Solo film and says it’s the best he’s ever seen…

According to website StarWarsNews.net, McCaig recently attended an Art and Industry of Imagination conference in New Zealand where he spoke about the concept art for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Reportedly, McCaig hinted at a strong connection between Luke Skywalker and another character in Star Wars: Episode VIII, but did not go into detail about that mysterious other character. Could it be Rey? And it if is, why not just come out and say it?

Here’s a rundown of what Iain McCaig said at the conference, as transcribed by SWN:

• Lucas initially wanted nothing to do with VII, but in a short while after pre-production began, he decided he wanted to submit a script. He brought in Ian and another prequel artist (possibly Doug Chiang, I missed the name) to the Ranch to help him realize his concepts. The script was rejected outright, as a result of…
• Disney’s banishment of anything mildly prequel-related. Usage of prequel-only characters, environments etc were banned, as to not incur the fan base’s wrath.
• Disney execs were reluctant to include non-Caucasian characters. The new trio were all initially all Caucasian, but it was JJ’s favoring of Boyega that brought about VII’s multi-cultured character set.
• A number of initial script ideas teased Anakin/Vader’s force ghost’s involvement, and Ian presented an idea so titillating (even to prequel-haters) along these lines that he had the audience clapping.

"Lawrence Kasdan actually wrote the script for Han Solo before he began work on VII, and that it is (paraphrasing) ‘By far the best Star Wars script, and one of the best scripts period, that I have ever read. I laughed, I cried, I did all the things you should do when reading a good script. You’re in for a treat.’"

• After being questioned by an audience member, he responded that he was unable to confirm nor deny if Lucas’ script had any influence or effect on the Arndt/Kasdan/Abrams script – but strongly implied to the positive.

I find all this very interesting. First, the fact that George Lucas wanted to suddenly get involved with The Force Awakens, after wanting nothing to do with the film, is an absolute shock to me. Secondly, I despise the fact that Disney shunned everything Prequel related.

Disney needs to understand that their is a very large part of the Star Wars fanbase that absolutely adores the Prequel Trilogy, and it needs to be included in the films, going forward…much like Rogue One including war hero Saw Gerrera from The Clone Wars. And, even though that’s not technically Prequel Trilogy material, it’s a step in the right direction.

Next: Episode VIII & Han Solo Directors To Appear At SWCE

It’s also interesting to see that Disney/Lucasfilm was a bit scared of using a non-Caucasian before J.J. Abrams insisted on John Boyega. What a shame that would have been, if The Force Awakens would not have had Boyega in the role of Finn, and as an ambassador for the Star Wars brand.