In the years following the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, it appears it could be getting a second lease on life thanks to Disney+. Despite its moderately positive critical reception upon premiere, the movie suffered commercially and seemingly squandered what potential it could've had because of it.
However, Emilia Clarke's character Qi'ra has been making some surprise returns in Star Wars comics that fueled speculation on a rumored Crimson Dawn series. Her plot twist at the end of the movie is arguably what deserves a spinoff the most, and there are some fairly plausible theories floating around the fanbase given these recent developments.
10 Qi'ra In The Lando Series
Solo isn't getting a sort of second chance just because of the rumors and developments around Qi'ra returning, but it very well could have a spinoff already officially in development. Last summer rumors swirled that Donald Glover's Lando was getting a spin-off series, and while the actor has yet to be confirmed, last year's Disney Investor Day stream did reveal that Lando is in the works.
Assuming those early reports come to full fruition, Glover's version would likely be the main protagonist. This lines up canonically with Qi'ra, as now fans know she's also alive and well well after the events of the movie. Having her appear in a supporting role for Lando could be a great way to reintroduce Emilia Clarke's character and use it as a launchpad for a solo series later.
9 Appearance In Andor
While not as a direct connection, Lucasfilm's upcoming Andor series--essentially a prequel spinoff of Rogue One--could make a Qi'ra surprise appearance work. Diego Luna's character Cassian Andor will be the center focus, going through his life fighting for the Rebellion against Palpatine's Galactic Empire post-Revenge of the Sith.
And given the canonical timeline, Qi'ra could still easily work in the days of Cassian's adulthood prior to Rogue One. Though perhaps not as likely, this could serve as another one of several places to sprinkle the character in live-action to drum up support.
8 Show Centered On Crimson Dawn
Appearing in supporting roles and cameos would be good for the short term, but a lot of potential would be wasted if Qi'ra gets all this drumroll without a proper Crimson Dawn series. The major plot twist at the end of Solo was that Qi'ra is working with the Crimson Dawn under the leadership of none other than fan-favorite Star Wars villain Maul.
The former Sith Lord has become even more beloved since Dave Filoni's celebrated animated shows, and this adds another interesting story worthy of exploration. Adding Clarke's character working with one of the galaxy's most dangerous villains in an organized crime syndicate, and builds a solid framework for a Star Wars crime-thriller.
7 Comics Building Hype For Qi'ra
Probably the most obvious theory stemming from the character's sudden return in Marvel's Star Wars comics is that it's a part of a wider plan to rebuild excitement. It might not be a coincidence that Qi'ra is returning while Lucasfilm dives into the realm of live-action TV and that this is not only because Charles Soule simply thought she'd be a great character for a comic miniseries.
With the smash-hit flagship series The Mandalorian starting a mini, MCU-like Star Wars "cinematic universe," more live-action returns of fan-favorite characters make the atmosphere ripe for Qi'ra to get a spotlight back. Her appearance in War of the Bounty Hunters #1 and the reveal of the Crimson Reign miniseries with her in a leading capacity could be Lucasfilm drumming up enthusiasm and measuring fan reactions for something more on Disney+.
6 Maul As A Supporting Character
Surely the possibility of a Crimson Dawn series makes for an easy excuse to bring Maul back in live-action. Aside from his brief cameo at the end of Solo, the last time he appeared in a live-action Star Wars project was The Phantom Menace in 1999.
Though, especially with Maul's fleshed-out character arc through The Clone Wars and Rebels, having him be the central focus seems unnecessary. It would be even more unnecessary since his cameo stemmed from Qi'ra's story. He'd arguably work best as the main antagonist opposite Qi'ra as the main protagonist, allowing for the best of both worlds.
5 Supporting Role To Boba Fett
The timing would be fantastic with what the character has recently been through, and it wouldn't be necessarily farfetched to see Qi'ra become a big player in The Book of Boba Fett. Before the recent announcement of her dedicated Crimson Reign comic series, her role in War of the Bounty Hunters leads Fett to put her on his "hit list" after she comes in possession of a frozen Han, a fellow beloved original trilogy character.
Now with the classic original trilogy character leading his own show, Qi'ra could reasonably appear as the "antagonist" of the show opposite Fett. Of all the live-action TV Star Wars projects confirmed, Boba Fett could be argued as the next most likely to include her aside Lando.
4 Emilia Clarke's Back With Disney In The MCU
Aside from all the Star Wars-specific news around Qi'ra, Clarke has since been confirmed to be starring in Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion Disney+ series. Though they're two separate franchises, both Marvel and Lucasfilm are under the Disney umbrella, making the possibility of her turning over at some point back to the latter a theory worth speculating over.
The details of her Secret Invasion role are unclear, including whether her character will be a recurring one elsewhere in the sprawling MCU. However, given that she now has contacts again with Disney, a transition back to Star Wars as Qi'ra might be more likely in the near future.
3 The Five Syndicates In Live-Action
Thanks to the premise a show on the Crimson Dawn would entail, incorporating the rest of the Five Syndicates comprising the Shadow Collective into a show is another sound hypothesis. During the rule of the Galactic Empire, Crimson Dawn was known galaxy-wide as the dominant of the five and would make a great conflict for such a show.
Star Wars understandably delves frequently into the mystical, but it would be thrilling to see Disney+ venture into the dirtier, criminal underbelly of the galaxy--a theme that The Book of Boba Fett could prepare. Having the underworld's top criminal syndicate clash with the others in a battle for supremacy sounds like an enticing backdrop.
2 Showing Qi'ra Usurping Maul
It's even more evident from Crimson Reign, but at some point in canon, Qi'ra becomes the new head of Crimson Dawn after Maul. Having a show chronicle Qi'ra's usurpation of Palpatine's disgraced former Sith is another theory stemming from the earlier point on possibly bringing the other four syndicates.
From what fans have already seen in animation, Maul eventually ends up trapped on Malachor after the events of Solo (and before his fateful reunion with Obi-Wan). A potential Crimson Dawn show could connect the dots and have Qi'ra be the catalyst for him losing his leadership position and stranding on Malachor.
1 Possibly Playing Coy On A Show's Development
Outside of in-universe plot speculation and theorizing, something else being considered by fans is that Clarke herself might be playing coy in regards to the status of a potential live-action return. Clarke's made no secrets of wanting to revisit Qi'ra, and there seem to be several moving parts pointing to Disney+ being a viable platform for the future.
Lucasfilm has had instances in the past of actors being vague, coy, and/or outright lying about their roles, with Ewan McGregor being the most famous about his return as Obi-Wan Kenobi. It somewhat ties into the possibility of the comics doing set-up work, but it's possible after the rumors circulating over the last year that there's more to this than what's being said.
from ScreenRant - Feed https://ift.tt/3hxOFGf
No comments: