Ok let's use a bit of logic on that rumor.
Most likely they knew about some of the upcoming resistance vs TLJ, maybe not to this extent but still they had to know because they saw the movie and most likely they passed it around to their trusted sources that they normally use to get some feedback.. a company that big and that smart doesn't do things from the hip so they knew yet they proceeded in that direction most likely because they wanted a fresher / cleaner road moving forward and end to this old era, fans wanted another movie or two before ending it they took the bandage right off and now the hard part is done they will mend the wound and move forward.
You don't write off a movie that costed you 250 mill and that will soon either be moved in December or start a marketing campaign. That would be bad business even if the movie is bad you work it and with PR/marketing and the Star Wars name you still make 800 mill on such a brand why would you not what is the alternative here. They didn't start the PR because they move it or just needed the time for TLJ to step in the spotlight.
The lead actor is bad, well kinda hard to be that bad considering we saw him perform very well in Hail, Caesar! then we have this all casting process that had hundreds of options then we were left with 10 or so top names and from tests they decided to go with this option thinking it's the best portray of the character.
We are basing this 'bad actor' on just the fact he got a personal acting coach hired by the studio ? and ignore all the other things.. then if you look into it this isn't that uncommon for younger actors to have hired help to make their performances even better, you guys think Leo or some other top young actor didn't get lessons or had a personal coach at one point in their careers ? so I'm not that worried about it at all.
The bad scrip, well the man behind that script is non other then Lawrence Kasdan and son this man is the same one behind Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi and The Force Awakens so he isn't someone new testing out waters, this is someone very familiar with Han Solo he wrote for him 3 times already now 4 times with this movie. (bonus the man did Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Bodyguard and Wyatt Earp some of my favorites and great hits) So all of a sudden he stroke out on Han Solo a character he nailed all this time ? doesn't make sense and if the scrip was bad then why not change it along with the directors why keep the same script.
It is a Star Wars movie that will be more adventure themed oriented with smugglers and action of the sort maybe even a tad dirty and gritty in look like Rogue One ? .. do I think it reaches 1000 million well maybe not if they land on May and we still see some TLJ waves but 750-800 mill could be in the ballpark and if the movie is better then expected and word of mouth gets in on it who knows.
Can't wait for more news on the trailer and the release date they will be sticking too.. I will say this I wasn't asking for a young Solo movie and it wouldn't had been my first pick either but who knows maybe this would be a real treat.
The mother of Dragons in space and more Star Wars adventures.. I'm in what do I have to loose anyway.
