A new Star Wars book titled The Princess and the Scoundrel will give readers and Disney World guests an exclusive invitation to the biggest event in a galaxy, far, far away -- the wedding of Princess Leia and Han Solo.
Written by author Beth Revis, the book is set shortly after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. It begins with Han proposing to Leia on the forest moon of Endor, while the Rebels and Ewoks around them celebrate the destruction of the second Death Star. According to Revis, the lingering emotions from the war against the Empire will play a part. "I wanted this to be a story where the past was still present, but they were moving forward into new territory. It’s an emotional journey — the aftermath of war always is, but so is the new foundling steps of love," she told StarWars.com.
The book will also include the wedding ceremony itself and follow the newlyweds on their honeymoon, where they will encounter Imperial forces that aren't willing to concede power, despite the Rebels' victory. Instead of taking the Millennium Falcon on their honeymoon, the scoundrel and the princess decide to travel in style on the Halcyon starcruiser. This is the starcruiser that is featured in the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Disney World, meaning that Star Wars fans can follow in the footsteps of Han and Leia.
Described as a "revolutionary new 2-night experience where you are the hero," the Galactic Starcruiser is more than just a hotel, according to advertising material released by Disney. It's said to be a fully immersive experience, where guests can create their own Star Wars adventure and "live a bespoke experience." Part of the experience includes seeing a "real" lightsaber in action, as the Imagineers at Disney Research and Development have been able to develop a prop lightsaber that extends and retracts.
This isn't the first time that the wedding of Han and Leia has featured in a Star Wars novel. Their marriage was first referred to in Timothy Zahn's 1991 book Heir to the Empire, but the story and romance behind the ceremony were fully developed in 1994's The Courtship of Princess Leia. Written by Dave Wolverton, the book saw Leia nearly enter into a political marriage before marrying her scoundrel. These stories are now labeled as "Legends" and are no longer canon since Disney's buyout of Lucasfilm.
Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis will be released on Aug. 16.
Source: Star Wars