The new Star Wars spin-off project centered around Han Solo just suffered a significant setback, as the film’s directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord parted ways with Lucasfilm yesterday. Now, the substantial section of the internet that follows Star Wars and Hollywood is trying to discern who could be chosen to fill the captain’s chair.
Not much time has passed since the announcement, but the Han Solo feature was nearing the end of development, and Lucasfilm is under the gun if they want to keep on schedule. In a statement yesterday, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had said, “A new director will be announced soon.”
Although no hard facts are in as of yet, here are the current frontrunners according to most sources:
- Lawrence Kasdan- A screenwriter with a lot of Star Wars under his belt, who has been rumored to be considering directing. Kasdan wrote The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens (as co-writer), and the current Solo film. It is possible his direction for the movie clashed with Miller and Lord’s, playing a role in the “creative differences” that cause the split.
- Ron Howard- Deadline reported that Disney is looking to pick up Howard to finish the job. The Apollo 13 and Da Vinci Code director has proven capable of creating successful big-budget pictures with mass appeal, and could probably calm any confusion and keep the project on its current timetable.
- Joe Johnston: Lastly, the Jumanji and Captain America: The First Avenger director’s name has made the rounds as well.
Hopefully we won’t have to sift through rumors for too long, as Lucasfilm should be making an announcement in the near future.
Sources: Deadline, Digital Spy, The Independent
Image: Disney
