Ron Howard taking over director’s chair for ‘Star Wars’ Han Solo spinoff

Washington D.C. [USA], Jun 22 : It's official! Ron Howard has stepped in to direct Lucasfilm and Disney's untitled Han Solo movie.

According to an announcement from Lucasfilm, the 63-year-old filmmaker is replacing directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who were fired earlier due to "creative differences." "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," read Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy's statement.

"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," it added. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Howard will first meet with the cast (including Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover) to smooth things over, and then review the material Lord and Miller have left behind to see what still needs to be done or redone.

As of now, the goal is still to get the film in theatres by the planned May 25, 2018 release date. Howard, who'd been approached by George Lucas to direct 1999's 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,' won an Academy Award for directing 2001's 'A Beautiful Mind.' His recent feature films include 2013's Rush, 2016's The Beatles: Eight Days a Weekand 2016's Inferno.

Source: ANI