Ron Howard To Take Over Directing The ‘Han Solo’ Movie
Ron Howardis stepping in to direct Lucasfilm and Disney’s untitledHan Solomovie, taking over the production after original directorsPhil LordandChristopher Millerwere fired with three weeks left to the production.
Find out more about Ron Howard directingHan Soloafter the jump.
The Hollywood Reporterhas announced that Howard will take a look at the “rough edit to see what the project has and still needs.” Howard will also meet with the actors to “soothe a rattled set.” The cast members include Alden Ehrenreich who plays the titular snarky smuggler, Donald Glover asLando Calrissian,as well asWoody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke and Thandie Newton.
The production has three weeks of principle photography and five weeks of reshoots planned in the schedule.
Lucasfilm officially announced Howard’s role asHan Solodirector onStar Wars.com, with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy issuing the below statement:
“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. 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 is a safe bet to finish the production ofHan Solo, Lord and Miller had spent four-and-a-half months directing— a late-game move that shocked much of Hollywood. The Oscar-winning director for 2002’sA Beautiful Mindhas several industry connections toStar Warsand Lucasfilm, having acted inGeorge Lucas' 1973 debut filmAmerican Graffiti, and helming Lucas' 1988 pet projectWillow. He is a part of the old guard of Hollywood, which isin line with Kennedy’s approachto theStar Warsmovies.
Lord and Miller were fired from the set ofHan Soloafter reportedly clashing with Kennedy over the vision and style for theStar Warsstandalone prequel film. The directing duo were chosen to helm theHan Soloprequel movie after their irreverent comedies21 Jump StreetandThe Lego Moviewere huge critical and commercial successes. However, it seems their fast-and-loose directing style clashed immediately with Kennedy, who valued faithfulness to the script over Lord and Miller’s more improvisational style.
Howard is as establishment Hollywood as you can get, with movies ranging from prestige pictures likeA Beautiful MindandApollo 13to thrillers likeThe Da Vinci Codeand the racing biopicRush.And let’s not forget his gift for comedy — which seems to be a priority for this film — producing and narratingArrested Development. While his recent movies likeInfernoandIn the Heart of the Seawere duds at the box office, he will probably be a reliable fixer for the embattledHan Soloproduction.
The untitledHan Solomovie is set to hit theatersMay 25, 2018
