The Mother of Dragons has joined the Star Wars universe and the universe is going wild. Two universes that is.
Truth be told, I have never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, the incredibly popular fantasy drama now filming it’s last season, and starring Emilia Clarke. So when Emilia was cast as Qi’ra, opposite a young Han Solo in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, I didn’t really get excited.
I was coming in watching this new Star Wars movie without knowing the two main actors. Was that a problem and would that be a problem for others who aren’t familiar with them? No, and in fact, in my case it probably helped pave the way for an authentic movie-going experience, with no preconceived ideas of what they would bring to the table.
In fact, if you’ve read my Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo) interview, you know now just what a huge fan I am (for many reasons). I’m here to tell you that after seeing SOLO two times and interviewing her, I adore Emilia Clarke – and I have a very strong suspicion that we will see her again in a “sequel of some sorts”. Why? You’ll have to read my No-Spoiler Solo Movie Review.
Sit back, hear about my Emilia Clarke interview, and prepare to be impressed with this talented actress. You might just find yourself wanting to binge-watch GOT!
(Disney invited me to California on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for our coverage of events. As always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links in post)
Emilia Clarke Interview
The Woman Before Princess Leia
Those are mighty big shoes to fill.
Princess Leia – one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Though this would be daunting to many, Emilia Clarke didn’t hesitate stepping into the role of Qi’ra.
Emilia laughed it off, admitting that it was scary enough standing under the Star Wars banner, so she didn’t even want to think about being the woman before Princess Leia in Han’s life. Smart. Very smart.
This might be surprising to many, but Emilia didn’t really fully understand the enormity of what we call Star Wars until just a few years ago. Though she had indulged her brother with some Halloween Star Wars dress up in years’ past, it wasn’t until Episode 7, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, when she realized just how big this was.
Emilia Clarke knew right then and there, with The Force Awakens, that this was how a movie was supposed to be made. It was a blockbuster and she knew she wanted to be a part of the universe.
Qi’ra – The Character and GOT
A survivor. That’s how Emilia Clarke describes this newcomer to the galaxy. She added, “She (Qi’ra) does what she needs to do to keep being around”.
She admits that seeing characters like Han and Qi’ra from the time they were kids (relatively kids I might add, as they aren’t young children), is fun. They were sort of just “Bonnie and Clyding around”.
Asked if she had anything in common with Qi’ra, Emilia shared that having to learn a lot in a short period of time is perhaps what they have in common. With Game of Thrones being Emilia’s first job, she certainly had to hustle, admitting it was a baptism by fire of sorts.
Well, for a young actress, this baptism by fire has worked. Emilia brings that fire and passion to the big screen in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, and fans will love her all the more for it.
Playing Strong Female Characters
Emilia Clarke is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen.
As the mother of a daughter, I am proud we find ourselves in a time where we see incredibly strong women on the big screen. Emilia did her part to make sure that would happen in SOLO.
In fact, we learned that Emilia spent time with the creators of the film to make sure there were certain things in place that she felt were important for her and for the Star Wars franchise – to have a girl that was strong. Though we certainly find strong women in the Star Wars universe (thinking of the recent Rey), we certainly could use more. Ron Howard delivered!
Emilia really wanted young girls to hear something she said, wishing that they would just see strength as part of being a woman and not a choice you make to become one.
We’re just women.
You can take strong out of the equation.
It just is what we are, strength is within us as women.
On Ron Howard as a Director
From afar I have watched Ron Howard on television grow from Opie on The Andy Griffith Show to Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. As decades have gone by, we have watched him grow into one of the most loved and successful directors in Hollywood.
I wanted to know if he was the real deal. Was he as good in this artform as I thought he would be?
Noone knows better than those who work closest to him, so that is what I asked Emilia Clarke. I asked her what it was like to work with Ron Howard.
The smile on her face said it all.
She recalled saying to SOLO writer Jon Kasdan, “You can’t actually really expect me to believe that Ron Howard has chosen come and direct this movie.” That was followed by a quick, “Oh no, yeah, of course, it’s a Star Wars movie.”
Emilia added, “He (Howard) made us all feel heard, which in a movie of this scale is so impressive”.
In this time right now, it was clear Ron Howard is not only a master at what he does, but he is one of the good guys.
Emilia joked about how thrilling it is to be a LEGO figure! She added that her godson was going to be incredibly spoiled with SOLO merchandise!
Look what I found –> SOLO A Star Wars Story Landspeeder LEGO set with Qi’ra and Han!
This Emilia Clarke interview in addition to her performance in SOLO has made me a new fan – of the actress and as a person. I can’t wait to see her again!
About SOLO: A Star Wars Story
Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theatres May 25th.
Take a look…
Visit the SOLO website and Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Alden Ehrenreich Interview:
Ready my exclusive Alden Ehrenreich Interview – Han Solo!
SOLO Premiere:
Check out my recap of the SOLO premiere – the celebrities, the after-party, and the Millenium Falcon details!
Now for some extra Star Wars fun…
EXTRA FUN: Get in the Star Wars mood by creating these incredible Star Wars Themed OREO Cookie Balls
I’m not a fan of GOT but I enjoyed watching Emilia Clarke in her role
To be completely honest, I’m not a fan of GOT but I enjoyed watching Emilia Clarke in her role (when she was showing the world what she was made of – not fighting with others) so I’m very excited to watch her in SOLO!
Interesting…I’m tempted now to watch the first season and see what I think. YES – her role in SOLO is completely different – I think you’ll be surprised!