Not long after the rumor started about Ron Howard being considered to replace Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Variety confirms it as a reality.
From Variety:
Howard will begin work immediately. The picture still has several weeks left on its shooting schedule, and five additional weeks of pre-scheduled reshoots that were planned for later this year. The exact amount of time and money that it will take to actually complete the production (which was about three-quarters finished when the directors were fired), will vary depending on how much rewriting and reshooting Howard deems is necessary after reviewing the script and shot footage.
As I said in my previous article, I am a fan of Ron Howard. He is a very safe choice. He can direct drama and comedy, so I have no doubt the film will get finished to the delights of Lucasfilm. It’s just a sad story that it went down like this. Leaves a bad taste knowing this is the fourth time Lucasfilm parted ways with people either writing or directing their movies. The Rogue One reshoots was not in response to any termination, but it’s still a case where another filmmaker was brought in to finish the predecessor’s job.
Best of luck to Ron Howard. I hope this does not mean the work Phil Lord and Chris Miller put into the film is not lost forever in the final cut. I’m confident the movie will still be good in terms of story. However, the abrupt change in directors might result in a disjointed visual style and tone of the film.
UPDATE: From StarWars.com
Kathleen Kennedy put out a statement regarding Howard being hired.
She said:
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.
I, as is everyone, am really anxious to see what reports comes from the set once reshoots begin. We will be sure to report every update as it unfolds here on our website and our weekly podcast. Subscribe now and tune in tomorrow to get our take on everything that has transpired.
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