Solo - A Star Wars Story: Ron Howard was Originally Reluctant to Direct

Though directors who land Star Wars gigs are always taken at high regard, a lot of people admit that delivering a movie for such a massive fanbase can have you under a lot of pressure. Solo director Ron Howard talks about taking over for Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and talked about his early reluctance to pick up the project.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Howard explains:

"I know Chris and Phil. They're incredibly talented guys, and all anyone at Imagine Entertainment wants to do is find a way to work with Chris and Phil, and that's every bit as much the case today as ever. But when I learned that this change was happening, it just came in a moment where I was working on lots of new projects for Imagine, and I had not planned to direct anything last year. So then this came my way, and I was talking to Kathy, and the now tragically late Alli Shearmur, an old friend. I was reluctant, but I also began to feel that I could help."

Lord and Miller were famously fired over creative differences with Lucasfilm head Kathy Kennedy and seasoned Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan. Howard, however, seems to follow the same sensibilities and has been receiving nothing but praise since he came on set.

Though a lot of people are expecting Sol to bomb in the box office, the release of the new teasers have proven to put a lot of people at ease. The movie actually looks great, but people are still cautious if having two different director visions clashing in the film.

Solo: A Star Wars Story hits theaters May 25.

See Also: Star Wars: Ron Howard Keeps Quiet About Solo Directorial Duties