Solo: A Star Wars Story
Expanded Edition Novelization
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
Written by Mur Lafferty
Audiobook narrated by Marc Thompson
Publisher: Del Rey Books | Random House Audio
Release date: September 4, 2018

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the audiobook for the junior novel for Solo: A Star Wars Story, the first of two novelizations of the film released in conjunction with the Blu-ray Edition. I apologize that it took nearly three weeks to get around to this Expanded Edition, but, yanno, life and other Geeks of Doom reviews.

Much like I explained in the review of the Joe Schreiber junior novelization, Mur Lafferty‘s novelization is just that, a scene-by-scene retelling of the movie. The Junior Novel promised and delivered on a handful of deleted scenes that didn’t make the theatrical cut; the Expanded Edition promises and delivers on that and a whole ton more.

Available on Blu-ray today, Solo: A Star Wars Story contains all of its supplemental content on a second Blu-ray disc. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is also included with purchase.

Below is a breakdown of the bonus materials and special features included with the in-home release.

Solo: A Star Wars Story Junior Novel
Star Wars Junior Novelizations
Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Written Joe Schreiber
Audiobook narrated by Sean Henin Bradford Hastings
Publisher: Del Rey Books | Random House Audio
Audiobook Release date: September 4, 2018

I’d like to preface this by saying that the next week or so is going to be interesting. I just finished the audiobook of Solo: A Star Wars Story Junior Novel (which I will review here in short order) and then I’m embarking on Solo: A Star Wars Story Expanded Edition. Both are novelizations of the same movie, but with different authors and different voice talents on each. I want to liken it to watching the theatrical and director’s cuts of a film, but I don’t think it’s going to be like that at all, to be honest, because the interpretations by the authors should be slightly different and the lead voice will have a different sound entirely. Bear with me, okay?

I began with the Junior Novel audiobook because I knew I could tear through it pretty quickly and because I’m already familiar with author Joe Schreiber‘s work in the Star Wars Universe having read both Death Troopers and Maul: Lockdown. (I’m pretty sure Death Troopers is the final book I purchased before Borders Books & Music shuttered forever).

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
Writers: Lawrence Kasdan, Jon Kasdan
Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, Paul Bettany
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Rated PG-13 | 135 Minutes
Release Date: May 25, 2018

The Star Wars film universe will never be the same now that Disney has started to release spinoffs. These films are part of a larger anthology that will explore parts of the untold stories of the mythology. Much of which has revolved around the Skywalker saga. Solo: A Star Wars Story is a departure from what we have seen since Disney acquired the property, but it also stays true to the spirit of stories that take place in a galaxy far, far away.

Of course, it is incredibly risky when making an origins movie about a character as iconic as Han Solo. But if it is done right, it can pay off in the long run. While Solo may be a little rough around the edges – just like its title character – it is the kind of spinoff that will not disappoint. Check out my full review below.

Last night’s Super Bowl broadcast brought us the first look at Solo: A Star Wars Story, the highly anticipated Star Wars spin-off featuring a young Han Solo and Lando Calrissian.

Now, Lucasfilm has released the teaser trailer and character posters for the film. Check it out here below.