Han Solo Movie Finds New Direction: Ron Howard Steps In

The untitled Han Solo film has found a new director almost five months into production.

Two days after it was announced that the film's directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, were fired over creative differences, the studio has selected Ron Howard to head the project.

The studio made the decision to let the previous directors go after months of clashes with screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote three of the other Star Wars films. The directors and writer are said to have argued over the style and tone of the film.

Howard, who directed such films as Frost/Nixon, Apollo 13, and A Beautiful Mind - which earned him an Academy Award - is set to shoot the remaining 3 1/2 weeks of production. He is well acquainted with George Lucas' work, having acted in American Graffiti and directed the film Willow.

Despite this dramatic shift, the spinoff prequel is still set to be released May 25, 2018. It will star Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo, as well as Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, and Emilia Clarke.