Star Wars: Han Solo Directors Exit the Film

CBR

By Meagan Damore

Published Jun 20, 2017

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have left the upcoming Star Wars anthology film based on Han Solo due to 'creative differences.'

The upcoming Star Wars anthology film based on Han Solo has just lost its directors. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have left the project due to "creative differences." Despite Lord and Miller's departure, the Han Solo anthology film will maintain its anticipated release date of May 25, 2018.

"Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are talented filmmakers who have assembled an incredible cast and crew, but it’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways. A new director will be announced soon,” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project. We normally aren’t fans of the phrase ‘creative differences’ but for once this cliché is true. We are really proud of the amazing and world-class work of our cast and crew,” explained former directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

The Han Solo anthology film has been actively filming in London since February. According to the report, the project still has several weeks of shooting left, with re-shoots scheduled for the summer. It is unclear if the search for a new director is underway, though Kennedy's statement suggests there will be a new director imminently.

The first Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One, faced a similar problem. Though Gareth Edwards directed the movie, another filmmaker -- Tony Gilroy -- was brought in for rewrites and reshoots. Nevertheless, Rogue One found both critical and box office success.

Lord and Miller have been attached to the Han Solo anthology film since July 2015. The pair are best known for their work on LEGO Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street and its sequel 22 Jump Street. The two were once attached to WB's Flash film, for which they wrote a treatment; however, it's likely their treatment was overhauled when Dope director Rick Famuyiwa joined the project, though he too departed before production began.

Based off a script by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, the Han Solo film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Michael K. Williams and Woody Harrelson. The as-yet-untitled Star Wars anthology film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 25, 2018.