Star Warshas officially released new details onThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie’s new storyline that’s coming to theMillennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Runattraction atDisney Parks, but the involvement of theFalconseems to imply that the famous freighter is no longer in Han Solo’s possession.Smuggler’s Runin its original and present incarnation sees guests atStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edgebeing hired as flight crew to operate theMillennium Falcon, but not for Han Solo. It’s not even for Chewbacca.
In fact, guests are working forHondo Ohnaka, the beloved space pirate we first met inStar Wars: The Clone Wars. BecauseThe Mandalorian and Groguis now going to have a storyline that takes place in this very attraction, people are understandably confused about why Han isn’t the one who’s piloting theFalcon, much less loaning it out to randomly recruited flight crews. Does this mean Han Solo loses theFalconat some point duringThe Mandalorianera?
Why Hondo Ohnaka Has The Millennium Falcon Explained
He’s Struck A Temporary Deal With Chewbacca
The key part is to understand the basis ofSmuggler’s Run’s original and current story, especially for those who may not have been fortunate enough to experienceStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edgefor themselves yet. This theme park land is 100% immersive, taking place between the events ofStar Wars: The Last JediandStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.This is about 20 years after the events ofThe Mandalorianin theStar Warstimeline, which proves just how much the lines are starting to blur in this immersive land.
The Mandalorian’s Complete Timeline Explained: From Din Djarin & Grogu’s Introduction To Mandalore’s Liberation
Beginning in 2019, The Mandalorian’s story has become absolutely essential to the Star Wars narrative. This is the complete timeline of its events.
Sadly, Han Solo is dead during the original timeline ofSmuggler’s Run, and Chewbacca is the one who now owns theFalcon. In the currentSmuggler’s Runstoryline,Hondo Ohnaka is looking for a flight crew to assist him with a mission to steal coaxiumfrom theFirst Order, and upon Chewie landing theFalconin Black Spire Outpost on Batuu - where Hondo’s company, Ohnaka Transport Solutions, is stationed - Hondo offers supplies for the Resistance in exchange for the use of the freighter.
Hence, theFalconis never technically Hondo’s. Rather,Hondo finds a way to barter with Chewie to use theFalcontemporarilyon a single mission. This mission was created with the intent of connecting to the now-defunctStar Wars: Galactic Starcruisr, as the coaxium was a key part of the immersive storyline that carried through that resort’s 48-hour experience. Now that theStarcruiseris closed, however, the storyline is shifting, but it cannot shift too much - not even for Han Solo.
Han Solo Could (& Most Likely Does) Still Have The Falcon At This Point
Even If He’s Not Involved In The Attraction’s New Storyline
It’s reasonable to think that, with the new update toSmuggler’s Run,Han could be looped into where Chewbacca currently is. There are certain elements that can change with this storyline and some that cannot. The ones that cannot have to do with Hondo being the one who assigns a flight crew to theFalcon, mostly because a custom Hondo animatronic was built for the attraction - and that cannot be easily adjusted. The ones that can, however, are where Han has his wiggle room to join this story.
What may cast doubt upon the idea of Han Solo being involved inSmuggler’s Runis that it would require a recast, whichStar Warsseems hesitant to do forThe Mandalorianera.
In fact, because Han most likelydoesstill have theFalconat this point, it’s almost a necessity to make this change, unless Chewbacca happens to be taking theFalconto Batuu on his own for a spell. The pre-show where Hondo’s animatronic is sees the pirate speaking with Chewie, who appears on a screen in a pre-recorded video. This could potentially be substituted for Han if necessary, unless they want to continue having it as Chewbacca. Elements of the dialogue, however, will also have to change regardless.
How The Mandalorian Movie’s Storyline Can Fit Into This Star Wars Attraction
Certain Changes Will Inevitably Have To Be Made
Staying in line with the changes mentioned above,The Mandalorian and Grogucan and obviously will find a way to fit, and there are a few different ways that I can see that happening. The pre-show dialogue will need to be different in some way, asthe Resistance and the First Order, both of which are mentioned by Hondo to Chewbacca, are both nonexistent duringThe Mandalorian’s timeline. Din Djarin and Grogu themselves will also likely have to be mentioned at some point before the actual ride.
The Mandalorian & Grogu: All Confirmed Cast & Characters (So Far)
The Mandalorian & Grogu is the next Star Wars movie to hit theaters, the franchise’s first since 2019. Here are its entire cast and characters so far.
Of course, I can see a way where those two aren’t mentioned until they show up to assist on the actual ride, too. What’s really key issimply making sure the timeline all adds up. It’s going to prove an interesting challenge for the Imagineers, but I have full confidence they can pull it off. What will be curious is seeing how they do so, and if it ties Han Solo and theFalconinto the storyline ofThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie itself.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
