While many have likely thought that the Han Solo film will try to recapture the look and feel of the original trilogy, in the same way that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in many ways, the fact is that the Han Solo movie could look unlike anything we’ve seen in Star Wars before.
J.J. Abrams, who is the keeper of all things Star Wars, has intimated that the movie will take place somewhere around 10 years prior to the events of Star Wars: A New Hope.
The Empire will exist, and as a decent force, but not nearly at the level of power that they have in Star Wars: A New Hope.