‘It’s Still Just A Shame’: Solo’s Ron Howard Reflects On Being Hired To Take Over Directing The Star Wars Movie

Among the Star Wars films released to date, only one did not make a profit. This is “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” which came out in 2018, around five months following “The Last Jedi.” Although it didn’t deserve any negative criticism, it managed to rake in approximately $393 million globally. Notably, the film provides a backstory for Han Solo, portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich. Additionally, it is remembered for the production upheavals that caused Ron Howard to replace Phil Lord and Chris Miller as directors. Later on, Howard expressed regret about this phase of his career, calling the events “a disappointment.

As a diehard film enthusiast, I’ve witnessed many instances where a director stepping down before principal photography isn’t exactly unheard of. However, the swap from Lord and Miller to Howard on the set of ‘Solo’ was unique, happening six months into filming. In an intriguing chat with Vulture, Howard shared that Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, orchestrated a breakfast meeting with Solo producer Alli Shearmur and co-writer Jon Kasdan. This encounter paved the way for…

As a movie enthusiast, here’s my take: They mentioned they hit a creative roadblock with Lord and Miller. They asked me if I would step in, as I peeked at some of the edited footage. It was clear what was causing their concern. There was a studio that loved our script but wanted a Star Wars film. However, there was an early tonal disconnect, and they weren’t convinced that Phil and Chris’s approach was delivering effectively. Given I hadn’t seen enough to make a fair assessment, I couldn’t agree or disagree with their evaluation, but they were certain about it.

The departure of Phil Lord and Chris Miller from “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was due to creative disagreements. It seemed that they had a vision for a comedic film, while Disney and Lucasfilm preferred a more nuanced use of humor. Additionally, issues arose regarding the frequent shooting of extra takes with improvised dialogue, which Lucasfilm did not favor. With several other problems surfacing, it was concluded that Lord and Miller were no longer suitable for the project. Two days after their departure, Ron Howard was announced as their replacement.

With a Disney+ subscription, you can rewatch movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story along with other Star Wars films and TV series. The ad-supported plan starts at just $9.99 per month, while the ad-free version costs $15.99 per month. Alternatively, opt for a yearly subscription at $159.99 (a 16% savings) to enjoy uninterrupted streaming. Check out the deal now!

Although Ron Howard was given sole director credit for the movie “Solo,” as he allegedly re-shot approximately 70% of it, Phil Lord and Chris Miller were acknowledged as executive producers. From Howard’s perspective, assuming directing responsibilities felt like taking charge of the ship’s helm.

Initially, when I expressed my confidence in tackling the script and understanding its intended direction, they informed me that a significant amount of reshooting was needed. Upon revisiting the entire film, I highlighted aspects I found impressive. Throughout this process, Phil and Chris were remarkably polite. Essentially, we seemed to be viewing two distinct movies. Regardless, I eagerly anticipate their upcoming cinematic endeavors.

More Solo Stories

Tom Hanks Confirms He Almost Had A Secret Cameo In Solo: A Star Wars Story

Taron Egerton Discusses the Reasons Behind His Refusal of the Han Solo Role and Shares His Near Miss with Harrison Ford’s Part

OR

Taron Egerton Opens Up About Why He Declined Playing Han Solo, and Talks About Coming Close to Taking Harrison Ford’s Spot

OR

In an Interview, Taron Egerton Reveals the Motivations for Turning Down Han Solo and Explains His Near-Win Over Harrison Ford

OR

Taron Egerton Shares Insights on his Decision to Say No to Playing Han Solo and Discusses a Close Call with Harrison Ford’s Role

These sentences convey the same message but in slightly different ways, using natural and easy-to-read language.

Approximately a decade before the occurrences in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the film “Solo: A Star Wars Story” showcased significant events in Han Solo’s life, such as his encounters with Chewbacca portrayed by Joonas Suotamo and Lando Calrissian played by Donald Glover, and his acquisition of the Millennium Falcon. The movie also introduced new characters like Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra (who later reappeared in comics), Woody Harrelson’s Tobias Beckett, and Paul Bettany’s Dryden Vos. Regrettably, due to poor box office returns, plans for a sequel were ultimately abandoned.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I must admit that Ron Howard seemed to enjoy the process of bringing Solo to life, despite the somewhat rocky start to his involvement in the project. And you never know, if Donald Glover’s standalone Lando Calrissian film takes flight, it could provide an excellent opportunity for Alden Ehrenreich to step back into the role of Han Solo, this time as a supporting character.

Read More

2025-08-14 02:45