If you thoughtDaniel Day-Lewis' retirement was the “Holy Shit!” news of the day, think again! In an utterly surprising turn, directorsPhil LordandChris Millerhave exited theHan Solospinoff film. Lucasfilm released an official statement announcing the departure ofThe LEGO Movie,21and22 Jump Street, andCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsfilmmakers citing “creative differences” and stating that a new director will be announced soon.
While director shakeups are fairly standard on blockbuster pictures, the news comes as a particular shock consideringHan Solohas been filming in London since January, and according toThe Hollywood Reporter, it will wrap in a matter of weeks (reportedly as few asthree weeks) before returning for reshoots later in the summer. The timing of the departure raises a lot of questions (which we’ll probably never get answers to), but it’s certainly late in the game to discover creative differences.
Here’s the official statement fromLucasfilm:
The untitled Han Solo film will move forward with a directorial change.
“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,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.
“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,” stated Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
The untitled Han Solo film starsAlden Ehrenreichas the intergalactic rogue alongsideDonald Gloveras Lando Calrissian andJoonas Suotamoas Chewbacca.Woody Harrelson,Emilia Clarke,Thandie Newton, andFleabagcreator/starPhoebe Waller-Bridgealso star.
The script comes fromLawrenceandJon Kasdan, and Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedyis producing alongsideAllison Shearmur,Simon Emanuel, and co-producersKiri Hart,Susan Towner, andWill Allegra. The creative team also includesArrivalcinematographerBradford Young,Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyproduction designerNeil Lamont, and Oscar-winningShaun of the DeadandHot FuzzeditorChris Dickens.
The film remains scheduled for a May 2018 release.
