Ron Howard tapped to helm ‘Star Wars’ Han Solo spinoff

Director Ron Howard. Image: AFP/Ben Stansall

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is set to take over as director of the “Star Wars” Han Solo spinoff, according to Lucasfilm, as reported by Variety.

His hiring follows the firing of the movie’s original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller while in the middle of production due to reported clashes with producer and Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy and co-writer-executive producer Lawrence Kasdan, who is himself an acclaimed filmmaker.

Howard, who previously collaborated with Lucasfilm on 1988’s fantasy adventure feature “Willow”, is expected to begin work on the Han Solo project 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. JB

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