In a surprising turn of events, hot on the heels of the departure of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Lucasfilm has announced the new director of the Untitled Han Solo Film. Academy Award winner Ron Howard is taking the reigns from the duo to finish the mere weeks of shooting left, as well as any of the film’s reshoots.
Lucasfilm and Lord and Miller parted ways Tuesday due to “creative differences.” No specific conflict was named in either party’s official statement, though rumor is that the film’s screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan took issue with Lord and Miller’s comedic and improvisational take on his script. Lucasfilm, namely Kennedy and Kasdan, reportedly wanted a more sarcastic and dry interpretation of the character.
It’s also been reported that Lord and Miller met with DC Films during a production hiatus on the film to discuss The Flash. The two wrote the original treatment for that film’s script and were expressing interest in replacing departed director Rick Famuyiwa.
Rumors began circulating Tuesday night that Howard was the frontrunner to take over after the departure of Lord and Miller. This morning those rumors were made official when Lucasfilm announced that Howard would be taking the project on and released this statement:
Lucasfilm is pleased to announce that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard has been named director of the untitled Han Solo film
“At Lucasfilm, we believe the highest goal of each film is to delight, carrying forward the spirit of the saga that George Lucas began forty years ago,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “With that in mind, we’re thrilled to announce that Ron Howard will step in to direct the untitled Han Solo film. We have a wonderful script, an incredible cast and crew, and the absolute commitment to make a great movie. Filming will resume the 10th of July.”
Howard has made some of the biggest hits and most critically-acclaimed movies of the modern era. Among his many films are Lucasfilm’s Willow, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind (winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director), The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon, and Rush. He also narrated and produced the beloved comedy series Arrested Development, starred in George Lucas’ American Graffiti, and remains a TV icon for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days.
The untitled Han Solo film is slated for a May 25, 2018, release.
