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Howard takes helm of Han Solo film
Ron Howard is taking command of the Han Solo “Star Wars” spinoff after the surprise departure of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Lucasfilm announced their replacement director Thursday, two days after Lord and Miller left the project over creative differences.
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said filming will resume July 10. The untitled film, which stars Alden Ehrenreich as a young Han Solo, is about three-quarters of the way through production. It has several weeks of shooting left, along with reshoots.
Howard has shepherded Oscar winners like “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13.” But his recent films, including the “Da Vinci Code” sequel “Inferno” and “In the Heart of the Sea,” have struggled at the box office. He also has history with Lucasfilm, directing the 1988 fantasy “Willow” and starring in George Lucas’ 1973 breakthrough “American Graffiti.”
Disney reiterated the film’s release date of May 25 next year, suggesting that, at least for now, the “Star Wars” spinoff will be released on schedule. Representatives for the studio declined to comment.
Reports have circulated that Lord and Miller, who favor improvisation and irreverent humor, clashed with Kennedy and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan, a “Star Wars” veteran and executive producer.