Even people who aren’t Star Wars fans would be lying through their teeth if they claimed the chemistry between Harrison Ford’s Han Solo and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia was anything other than off the charts, while they’d be doing themselves just a disservice if they mentioned the iconic duo in the same breath as Ghosted.
While the Apple TV action comedy does feature a pair of highly telegenic, popular, charming, and charismatic stars in the form of Chris Evans and Ana de Armas – working together for a third time following Knives Out and The Gray Man – the meager reception from critics has made it clear that their chemistry is virtually non-existent.
Everyone loves a good hype man, but even at that, you’ve got to wonder what Evans was thinking in an interview with Entertainment Weekly when he dared compare to the two central characters in the widely-panned dud to the ultimate power couple of a galaxy far, far away.
“From lovers to enemies to lovers, that’s the real fun journey. It’s very Han Solo-Princess Leia. While they’re arguing, they’re flirting. I love that part, the rhythm of it; the dance is what makes it so charming. If this were a normal circumstance, [Cole would] have the space to have a discussion about why he feels betrayed, but they’re dodging bullets. Underneath it all, you have a guy that really likes this girl, and when the bullets stop flying, you have a chance to see that magnetic pull again.”
Based on how Ghosted has been received so far, we’d be amazed if anyone was even talking about it this time next week, whereas Han and Leia remain as popular as ever more than 45 years after first sharing the screen. We appreciated the sentiment, Mr. Evans, but you’re a long way wide of the mark.