Ron Howard will take over as director for ‘Han Solo’ film

Lucasfilm announced that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard has been named director of the untitled Han Solo film, just days after Phil Lord and Chris Miller exited the project.

“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,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

“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.”

Howard has made some of the biggest hits and most critically-acclaimed movies of the modern era.

Among his many films are Lucasfilm’s Willow, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind (winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director), The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon, and Rush. He also narrated and produced the beloved comedy series Arrested Development, starred in George Lucas’ American Graffiti, and remains a TV icon for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days.

Filming for the project was in London since January 2017 with stars Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.

The supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke and Thandie Newton.

Harrelson plays a scoundrel named Beckett, a likely mentor to Solo. Joonas Suotamo will fill the giant Wookie suit as Chewbecca after working as the double in Force Awakens.

A recent report of character descriptions revealed Ian Kenny will play a character named Rebolt.

The script comes from Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is producing alongside Allison Shearmur, Simon Emanuel, and co-producers Kiri Hart, Susan Towner, and Will Allegra.

The untitled Han Solo film is slated for a May 25, 2018, release.