In Solo: A Star Wars Story, Emilia Clarke played Qi'ra, Han Solo's first love who later became a lieutenant in the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate and reported directly to Darth Maul. There was plenty of Qi'ra's story left to be told, but thanks to Solo's lackluster box-office performance, it's unlikely that we'll receive a proper sequel. However, Qi'ra did recently return to the franchise in the pages of Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters for Marvel Comics, which has fans once again campaigning for her return.
While speaking with THR, Emilia Clarke responded to a popular theory that it was Qi'ra who tipped off Enfys Nest to the coaxium shipment that Han (Alden Ehrenreich) and Beckett (Woody Harrelson) were trying to steal. Although Clarke thought the theory was a good one, it wasn't exactly what was in her mind when she played the scene.
I wrote pages about Qi’ra — behind-the-scenes Qi’ra — and all of the other stuff that was going on. But I think it is only when she sees Han that she realizes that there is a way out. That’s what I was playing. That’s definitely where I was at. I don’t think she felt herself to be strong enough at that point to go on and escape Dryden’s grip. I think that Han is the slap around the face that made her go, “(Gasps.) I was a whole person. I was this other thing. Where have the last 3 years gone?” So it was that kind of thing, but I think your theory is very good. (Laughs.)
Emilia Clarke added that she had "pages about what her life was and what it would be afterwards" and would love to reprise the character at some point as she's the one with the "most unfinished business." Unfortunately, she hasn't heard anything from Disney+ just yet. "Maybe I'll just write it and send it to them. I'll be like, 'Hey guys, I've got a few ideas," Clarke said.
The actress is currently preparing to star in Marvel's Secret Invasion series for Disney+ alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, and while she couldn't say much, she's quite excited by what could become a long-term Marvel character. "I mean, I should be so lucky is what I’ll say to that," Clark said. "Everyone I know and everyone I’ve spoken to who is a part of the Marvel universe — and actors talk! Everyone has only the highest praise to offer. There’s a reason why actors stay in it. They’re so loved because they’re having loads of fun. So I’m down for that." Secret Invasion is set to debut on Disney+ next year.