Phil Lord & Chris Miller Exit Han Solo Film Over "Creative Differences"

Phil Lord & Chris Miller Exit Han Solo Film Over "Creative Differences"

Movie Now in Production

By Alex Burns

Well this story comes a little out of left-field, Disney's still-untitled Han Solo origin film has lost it's directors as Phil Lord and Chris Miller exit the currently in-production movie. Check out the official statement from Lucasfilm posted on StarWars.com.

“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 Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy.

As for Lord and Miller, they had this to say; “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,” 


The talented directors and the cast they assembled had garnered a certain level of confidence in the Han Solo project, amid initial concerns that the film could not succeed without Harrison Ford in the title role. This departure may cause some unwanted negative press for the so far bump-free ride that the Star Wars resurgence under Disney has enjoyed. The fact that "creative differences" is cited as the main reason gives you all the evidence you need that the studio and filmmakers just were not on the same page for a spin-off project already raising eyebrows from sceptics. It will be interesting to see if Disney and Lucasfilm already have a new director ready to jump in or if this really was a shock to those involved in the production.

The Han Solo origin film will explore a seven-year period in Han's life from 18 -24 and will provide the back story for how he came to be the smuggler we all know and love in A New Hope. 

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca. Woody Harrelson will play Han’s mentor, a man by the name of Beckett, while Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Michael K. Williams and Phoebe Waller-Bridge are attached in undisclosed roles.

The Han Solo film is still set for a May 25, 2018 release.

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