Star Wars Solo: Fired directors SPEAK OUT on spin-off after Ron Howard replacement drama
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY’s original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller have spoken out on the upcoming spin-off.
Trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Journey
The film-makers were originally hired to make the anthology tale but were culled halfway through production - replaced by Ron Howard.
Howard’s version of the film is out in two months’ time, after an early trailer for the sci-fi adventure drew lacklustre responses from fans.
Speaking at the GLAS Animation Festival in California, the duo confirmed that they won’t receive any credit for their directing - but they have accepted an Executive Producer acknowledgement.
"We were really proud of the many contributions we made to that film,” Miller said, according to The Wrap.
Star Wars: Solo will be out in May, without Lord and Miller
The double act parted ways with Lucasfilm last summer
“In light of the creative differences, we elected to take an executive producer credit.”
They had previously said at the time of the fallout: “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.”
Kathleen Kennedy, president of LucasFilm, had said: “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.”
Ron Howard has assumed the top job
Alden Ehrenreich is playing Han Solo himself
It was the first of two occasions in 2017 alone when a Star Wars movie lost its director.
Colin Trevorrow was later replaced on Episode IX of the main Star Wars saga by JJ Abrams, who had previously taken the lead on 2015’s The Force Awakens.
Solo stars Alden Ehrenreich as a young Han Solo, with support from Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany and Phoebe Waller-Bridge among others.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is out on May 25.