Ron Howard Does Lucasfilm a Solid and Picks Up Directing Duties on the Han Solo Film

Jill Pantozzi | June 22nd, 2017

After shocking pretty much everyone this week by firing Han Solo spinoff directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Lucasfilm has announced their replacement. Actor and director Ron Howard.

The Hollywood Reporter had the exclusive this morning with Lucasfilm following up with the official announcement via StarWars.com.

‘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.’

The Academy Award-winning director already has a past relation with Lucasfilm, having starred in George Lucas’ American Graffiti and directed Willow, but is a solid choice regardless. He’s the producer on the upcoming The Dark Tower and American Made but didn’t have any other directing work scheduled right now. THR notes, “Howard also revealed on a podcast in 2015 that Lucas had approached him to direct 1999’s Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace.”

The spinoff film is still slated for a May 25, 2018 release, although I wrote a piece for The Hollywood Reporter today suggesting perhaps the entire Star Wars franchise should slow down a bit.