Chewbacca
The Central Character: Chewbacca is a Wookie from the planet Kashyyyk, who serves as co-pilot to Han Solo on the Millennium Falcon. In his younger days, Chewbacca survived an Imperial attack on his planet, only to be captured and enslaved with many of his fellow Wookies. Han Solo – then a lieutenant in the Imperial Navy – found him on a slave ship and saved his life.
The two form an unshakeable bond – and a new career as smugglers – and Chewie vows to protect Solo for the rest of his life. He first appears in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, when he and Han accept a charter to transport Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 and C-3PO to Alderaan – a job which eventually leads them into the Rebel Alliance.
The plot: In the style of Lethal Weapon, the film charts the early days of the Han Solo-Chewbacca buddy-combo, as they get to know one another while attempting to establish their smuggling business in a seemingly lawless galaxy. Navigating the murky environs of the galactic criminal underworld, they face-off with numerous villains, such as Jabba The Hutt, while a larger, altogether more sinister nemesis gathers its forces.
The director: Michelle MacLaren, whose extensive experience in directing many of television’s most successful, groundbreaking shows – such as The X Files, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Game Of Thrones and Better Call Saul – makes her the perfect choice for a franchise episode that hangs on a very specific balance of action and humour.