Is the Star Wars spin-off film lost in space?
Ron Howard tipped to take over Han Solo project after directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller leave
While many Star Wars fans have been focusing on the upcoming Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi, another film in the franchise has run into problems.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the directors of the unnamed Han Solo prequel, have left midway through production, according to a statement on the Star Wars website.
The duo behind 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie have been shooting the spin-off since January and the film is scheduled for a May 2018 release.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Variety reports that the announcement came after "months of conflict" with producer Kathleen Kennedy and the film's co-writer Lawrence Kasdan.
It adds that the two "irreverent" directors were reportedly "stunned" they were not being granted the creative freedom they expected and chafed at Kennedy’s tight control on the set.
"It was a culture clash from day one," a source told Variety. "She didn't even like the way they folded their socks."
Fans are worried there is a disturbance in the force.
Some wondered whether the Han Solo film was a good idea in the first place.
However, others will take heart at the rumours that Ron Howard has been tipped to take over the troubled production, which stars Alden Ehrenreich as a younger version of the space hero, originally played by Harrison Ford, and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.
William Hughes on the AV Club says that now the HanSolo film needs a new director, everyone is trying to figure out who it’ll be.
Kasdan has been put forward as a potential replacement while Howard's name is "being quietly bandied around".
Hughes adds that the director's career has been a bit quiet lately and "it's not like he doesn't know his way around a big-budget, space-based production".
While it's too soon to know, "don't be utterly shocked if Howard's the one who's eventually tapped to get the Han Solo film".
Fans may also be encouraged by the fate of the previous Star Wars spin-off film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
While many were concerned when producers Disney ordered reshoots shortly before its release last December, the film went on to become a global megahit.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Taylor Swift's surprise double album: an event of 'world-shaking proportions'
Why Everyone's Talking About Fans are 'reeling' after The Tortured Poets Department is followed by The Anthology – 15 additional tracks
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 13 - 19 April
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
'Colleges warn of punishment for disruptions'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How 'Star Wars' ripped off 'Dune'
Under the Radar Quite a few people believe that George Lucas ripped off Frank Herbert's sci-fi universe. So does Herbert himself.
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
What does 'Quiet on the Set' mean for the future of kids' TV?
In the Spotlight A new documentary exposes the 'dark underbelly' of Nickelodeon productions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: the next James Bond?
Talking Point Kick-Ass star has reportedly been offered the 007 role and he has plenty of admirers
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
A former 'Star Wars' actor is at the center of a Disney free speech lawsuit
Under the Radar Gina Carano is suing the Mouse House to try to get her job back on 'The Mandalorian'
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is the 'Mean Girls' movie musical a glorious revisitation or the worst idea in forever?
Talking Point Every critic feels some kinda way about the reboot
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
40 years of 'The Color Purple' backlash
Under the Radar Beloved and decried, the novel and films have always struck a nerve
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
The best new films coming out in 2024
The Week Recommends From Dune: Part Two and Scoop to Civil War and Red Island
By The Week UK Last updated
-
2023: the year of superhero fatigue
The Explainer The year may represent the end of an era for Hollywood
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published