Dear disgruntled Star Wars fans,

I understand how you feel. The Force Awakens was too familiar, Rogue One was too different and The Last Jedi was not exactly what you wanted. Solo: A Star Wars Story comes out on May 25th and I know what you’re going to say. You didn’t pay enough attention to realize release day arrived and you really don’t care to begin with. But you can be honest with me. You want to see this movie as much as the next Star Wars fan and you can stop pretending that you don’t.

Listen to the latest episode of our Star Wars podcast, Talkin' Tauntauns!

Being a hardcore fan can be difficult sometimes. The good times can be exhilarating and the bad ones can be depressing. I hope you know that I realize that. And you know what? I respect that.

But here’s the thing. If you’re as big a fan as you say (and I know that you are), then seeing a film that you didn’t enjoy as much as you thought you would shouldn’t stop you from seeing another installment in favorite franchise. If anything, it would make you want to see the next one even more because every true fan knows things always get better.

Remember how upset you were when you first watched The Phantom Menace and asked over and over again how George Lucas could do this to you? What happened when Attack of the Clones came out? You were there opening night and you hated it even more. Yet you still went and saw Revenge of the Sith with the hope that it would fix everything.

Unfortunately, it didn’t. By the time the prequels were over you were hurt and betrayed and you even considered turning to Star Trek. But despite the heartache, you came back when you heard a new trilogy would be released.

I mean, why wouldn’t you? As much as you hated Rogue One and as much as you may have been disappointed by the new saga, you don’t believe they’re as bad as the prequels. I know you felt like The Last Jedi almost ruined Star Wars and you probably even signed an internet petition to reinforce your hatred for it. But Jar Jar Binks bothered you way more than Canto Bight. So why don’t you want to give Solo the same chance you gave Episode II?

Besides, isn’t this what you had always hoped for? You have dreamed, talked, and even written a script for a Han Solo film. You had your dream cast and director picked out for this years ago. Now it’s finally here and it has legendary director Ron Howard at the helm. This goes beyond anything you’ve ever dreamt of.

No matter what you think of the most recent entries, you know you can’t sit out and miss a Star Wars film. Your entire life is filled with memories from the films and I’m sure you use Star Wars quotes unironically on a daily basis. After all the time and money you’ve spent, there’s no way you can miss out on Solo. It’s not the best reason, but if you miss the movie how you can maximize your complaints at Kathleen Kennedy? Suppose you do like it, then you have a pleasant surprise. Did you ever expect Star Wars to become a lifelong favorite when you first saw it?

I don’t want you to think that I don’t get where you are coming from. I suffered through the prequels and I agree that The Last Jedi is closer to the bottom than it is to the top. But we all know that doesn’t change anything. On May 25th, when you see Solo: A Star Wars Story, I’ll be there with you.

May the Force Be With You,

Nathaniel Patrick Muir