Shooting has officially commenced on the ‘Han Solo’ anthology prequel movie, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (‘The LEGO Movie’) behind the camera and Alden Ehrenreich taking on the legendary and no doubt daunting role as the galaxy’s biggest scoundrel.  Joining Ehrenreich are Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.  The script is provided by Lawrence Kasdan (‘Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’), with his son Jake Kasdan.  Filming has begun in London’s Pinewood Studios.

Very often with high profile projects such as these, the filmmakers will use a fake shooting name to throw off paparazzi, the press and nosy fans, who may spoil sensitive information.  These aliases often have some connection to the real name of the project but are so obscure that you really have to stretch to make a connection.  Something like “Scoundrel” or “Kessel Run” would be too obvious.

The official name for the ‘Han Solo’ movie may not have even been determined yet, but for the time being, the filmmakers have tapped into their inner party animals.

HanSolo

RedSoloCupYep, the ‘Han Solo’ movie is currently shooting under the pseudonym ‘Star Wars: Red Cup’.  Wooo hoo!  Let’s party!

The Red Solo Cup, from my understanding, is a purely American phenomenon.  These cheap, non-biodegradable drinking vessels are ubiquitous at keg parties, where they are refilled over and over until the keg runs out and/or the drinker vomits, gets naked or does something else embarrassing that they may or may not remember the next day.  They are essential equipment for the playing of beer pong.

Of course, these cups come in a variety of colors, but for whatever reason, the red ones are the most popular.   Solo is a specific brand name, but other manufacturers also make similar plastic cups.

The brand name and color were immortalized in a 2011 song by Toby Keith:

Back to the film, Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm LTD’s president described it has having a “heist or Western type feel.”

For the time being, this party rockin’ prequel is slated to premier on May 25, 2018, although rumors continue to swirl that it will be pushed to December to match the releases of the last two ‘Star Wars’ movies, which have sidestepped the crowded summer season and dominated the holidays.

For the time, being, why not knock back a cold one while you wait?

Source: IGN