Emilia Clarke played the iconic Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Soon enough, she’ll join the iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe with a role in Secret Invasion. In between, she played Han Solo’s childhood friend Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story, becoming part of yet another iconic franchise, although given Solo’s lackluster box office performance it doesn’t look like she’ll be back.
But that doesn’t mean she think about what might happen next! Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter’s Brian Davids — who is a really big Qi’ra fan, apparently — Clarke revealed that she “wrote pages” about what Qi’ra was like behind the scenes in order to better understand the role. “I really had pages about what her life was and what it would be afterwards,” Clarke said. “But I’m afraid I’ve heard nothing of being the case, so maybe I’ll just write it and send it to them. I’ll be like, ‘Hey guys, I’ve got a few ideas.’ (Laughs.)”
Clarke demonstrates a firm understanding of who Qi’ra is and why she does what she does, as when she explains her motivation behind teaming up with Han and eventually killing her owner Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany). “I think it is only when she sees Han that she realizes that there is a way out,” Clarke said. “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?’”
What might be in those pages of notes? Disney, if you’re listening, Clarke has Qi’ra’s next steps all planned out for you; give her a call. “She’s the that has the most unfinished business,” Clarke finished. “I would agree with that.”
Emilia Clarke was “moved” by the return of Qi’ra
Although she isn’t back on the big screen (yet), Qi’ra’s story has continued in Star Wars comics, which obviously delights Clarke. “It means the absolute world,” she said recently. “I know her backstory. I know her history. Maybe the movie didn’t get to go there, but that was such an honor and a privilege to be part of that universe as an actor. So then, to see the character actually be taken on to the origin of all of it — bringing it on home to the family in that way — cemented it in a way. I was not expecting to feel as moved as I was by that.”
If Disney does ever want to bring Qi’ra back for a movie or Disney+ show, at least it sounds like Clarke will be ready.
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