Disney’s D23 Expo: Artist Drew Struzan’s new The Force Awakens poster highlights Han Solo

For Star Wars fans, December could not come quickly enough – because that’s when the J. J. Abrams’ helmed The Force Awakens (aka Episode VII) will hit cinemas. Set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the film will focus on  a new set of characters, while bringing us some quality nostalgia with everyone from Carrie Fisher to Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels set to return. 

But it’s Harrison Ford‘s Han Solo who seems to be the focal point of the new film – at least considering the original characters – if the poster revealed at Disney’s D23 Expo in California is anything to go by. Drawn by famed Star Wars artist Drew Struzan, who has delivered the posters for all six Episodes so far, the poster was an exclusive premiere for the Expo and you can check it out below:

star-wars-poster-d23-bigPoster from superherohype.com

Han Solo seems to be the character of choice for this entire return to the Star Wars universe, as it was also recently revealed that the second Star Wars Anthology film will focus on a young Han Solo, in a film that will be directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie). That film will be released in May 2018.

Among other Star Wars news at D23, it’s also been revealed that the Star Tours motion simulator rides at Disney Parks will be updated to feature some of the new characters, in advance of the launch of the new Star Wars Land.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released in Australian cinemas a day before the USA on 17th December 2015, followed by Rogue One  – the first of three “anthology” films on 15th December 2016. Episode VIII will be released in May 2017, a Han Solo focused anthology film will come a year later in May 2018 and Episode IX in 2019. A release date and details for a third anthology film has yet to be revealed.

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Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.