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Lord & Miller Fired from the 'Han Solo' Movie in the Middle of Filming
by Alex Billington
June 21, 2017
Source: THR
Whoa! Major news to report. Directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller will no longer be directing the Han Solo spin-off Star Wars movie, currently in the middle of filming. Lucasfilm and Lord/Miller have both released statements, via Hollywood Reporter, confirming the shocking news and admitting to "creative differences" as the reason. The project was already most of the way through filming, apparently with only a few weeks left, yet they're not going to finish and will instead hand over the work to someone else (yet to be announced). This is a huge shake-up in Hollywood, and will be talked about for years. For now, the original May 25th, 2018 release date is still unchanged, with reshoots planned later this summer with a new director.
This kind of filmmaking news is usually referred to as just a "parting of ways", with each side agreeing to move on. However, THR (who broke the original news story) is reporting in a separate article that Lord & Miller were "fired". They claim: "the style and vision of Lord and Miller clashed with that of Lawrence Kasdan," who wrote the screenplay for Empire Strikes Back, and also wrote the Han Solo movie script with his son Jon Kasdan. Lord & Miller "have a comedic sensibility and improvisational style while Kasdan favors a strict adherence to the written word." Apparently this "creative difference" didn't smooth out and despite filming for months, they still couldn't finish and had to break up before it was over. That's all we know, but it makes some sense, considering Lord & Miller love to push the boundaries and try to find genuine humor.
Here's the two official statements (via THR) from Lucasfilm/Disney and Lord & Miller regarding the news:
"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," Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said Tuesday in a statement.
"Unfortunately, our vision and process weren't aligned with our partners on this project," a statement from Lord and Miller read. "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."
This is even more surprising considering they had already been filming the Han Solo movie for months, with Alden Ehrenreich playing Solo, and a cast including Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, and Michael Kenneth Williams. Lord & Miller were originally hired back in 2015, a year after the release of 22 Jump Street and The Lego Movie. They also are still involved with the Animated Spider-Man Movie in the works at Sony. Not many details are known about the Han Solo movie, as Lucasfilm is keeping the project a big secret. All we know is that it's about a young Han Solo, but that's about it. Lord & Miller seemed like the perfect filmmakers to do something special with this project. But the rumor is that Disney wants "to protect the Star Wars brand and to ensure that it is not tarnished by a movie that doesn't deliver what fans want."
I'm a fan. And you know what I wanted? A Lord & Miller Star Wars movie. These guys are creative geniuses, almost everything they've touched so far has turned out better than expected, and they always know how to make something fresh and different yet still thoroughly entertaining. I thought when Disney/Lucasfilm first hired them they knew what they were getting into - and would let these guys work their magic and come up with something truly brilliant. No matter who they get to take over, it'll be hard to watch the movie without thinking about how far Lord & Miller could've gone. But there is nothing we can do. I'm just curious to see who they hire to replace them. We'll definitely be following closely as more updates arrive. Your thoughts?
45 Comments
1
"Lord & Miller seemed like the perfect filmmakers to do something special with this project." Based on what? Nothing about The Lego Movie or either Jump Street movie indicated they'd be "perfect" for a Star Wars film.
John on Jun 21, 2017
2
Perfect filmmakers to "do something special" with it. Read better.
Nielsen700 on Jun 21, 2017
3
Personally, I think Jump Street made me think they'd be able to bring a sense of humor that has always severely been lacking in the Star Wars series.
Wes Draven on Jun 21, 2017
4
too much humor is not enough. In the original trilogy, it was well balanced.
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
5
I thought the Force Awakens had a lot of great, funny lines in it... "that's not how the Force works!" "Okay, how do we blow it up? There's always a way to do that"
kitano0 on Jun 21, 2017
6
Agreed. People saying that Star Wars needs comedic sense are far off course. I was skeptical of L&M bringing their trademark Lego Movie and Jump Street quipy-ness into this franchise. Hopefully, we won't get too much of that. But if you really desire a Star Wars comedy movie, then watch Spaceballs again.
Movie Bear on Jun 21, 2017
7
You got to be kidding me. You know those colors were created by God and appear to us as a reminder that He will never destroy the Earth with a flood again (which IS what killed the dinosaurs). Satan cannot create anything only perverse what God has created and that's what those colors are when you use them that way, a perversion.
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
8
I wasn't that excited about a spin off to begin with (although I would have paid to see it anyway, and still will), but this puts a bad taste in my mouth. Han was always about improvisation in the movies. He's a rouge for Lord's sake. These two were made for this project. I do trust Disney to make an entertaining movie, but I feel like they are making a mistake here.
McWetty on Jun 21, 2017
9
Hilarious!
DAVIDPD on Jun 21, 2017
10
Han solo spin off is coming 40 years too late. The new generation know nothing of the dude, and the Generation X is no longer "that" interested in exploring the life of young Solo. We need fresh ideas.
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
11
You're wrong. This will make so much money.
Nielsen700 on Jun 21, 2017
12
This will make loads of money for sure. Trashformers makes also lot of money...
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
13
I am not saying your wrong in saying its not fresh or creative, but how is it 40 years too late if your think it'll make money? Obviously there's an interest in it then.
Nielsen700 on Jun 21, 2017
14
Because Star Wars! you can sell a fridge to an inuit if you stick a star wars sticker on it... I think people will go see it for the Universe primarily, not because of Han.
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
15
Of course they will, but a Han Solo movie would make more money than any original idea. Sadly.
Nielsen700 on Jun 21, 2017
17
I'm a Generation Xer with 1 adult kid and 2 younger kids and we all Love Han and Chewie. His backstory has been a topic of a few conversations between us all. All of us are excited about a Han Solo standalone film. Empire Strikes Back is still my favorite film of the SW Universe.
SteadyEddieTX on Jun 21, 2017
19
I wonder if this all started with a discussion about whether Han shot first...
whoafilms on Jun 21, 2017
20
I guess Lord and Miller shot first....
TheOct8pus on Jun 21, 2017
21
No, Disney "fired" first...
Akirakorn on Jun 21, 2017
22
Interesting news, but not surprising. Gareth Edwards was almost fired from Rogue One, but he had already shot the movie, most of the reshoots were done by a different director. Similar "creative differences" situation with Edgar Wright/Payton Reed in Ant Man....both those movies turned out fairly decent or at least successful. This won't change the final product, which will still make a ton of money, but is totally unnecessary. I wish they'd just come up with something original that takes place in this universe....I'm so sick of prequels.
TheOct8pus on Jun 21, 2017
23
Amen. I can understand wanting to explore some origins but you have a whole universe of potential, why limit yourself?
Jon Odishaw on Jun 21, 2017
24
If Han Solo will be a B.O hit, prepare yourself for a Leia Begins, a young Admiral Ackbar adventure, a Luke in the Kindergarten movie and so on.
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
25
stupid
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
27
I was skeptical about this movie in the beginning but was a bit more excited with Lord and Miller at the helm...now I'm back to being skeptical. I know Disney wants to protect the franchise...but how? Play it safe...like Force Awakens by making a near remake of Ep. 4?? Like others, I figure this will make plenty of money, andI hope it works...but I'm back to being less interested than before.
theslayer5150 on Jun 21, 2017
28
I'm gonna be honest; it's new blood vs. old blood. Lawrence Kasdan wrote what's heralded as the greatest Star Wars film of all time. Miller and Lord have Lego Movie and a Jump street movie under their belt...who would you cater to in Disney's position? I'm betting Lord and Miller wanted too many alien fart/burp jokes and Kasdan is trying to stay true to the original. Well see what the final product produces after this. If it sucks, they made the wrong movie. If it's fantastic, they chose WISELY.
THE_RAW_ on Jun 21, 2017
29
I agree mostly, but don't forget that Kasdan was also young when he wrote ESB, and it was his first script... So let's not close the door on new blood. Who knows what it can bring. Besides, A new hope is the greatest for me. ESB will come close as second. ;D
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
30
Yeah, but Lord and Miller seemed like an odd fit for a Han Solo movie. They're too juvenile in their style of film making and it seemed like an odd partnering to begin with. And correction, ROTJ is the best, followed by ESB. Ewoks are KILLERS! 😉
THE_RAW_ on Jun 21, 2017
31
RotJ first? Hum...Is it safe to think that you used to dance on Yub Nub? ;D
tarek on Jun 21, 2017
32
Probably making the film too hokey.
Xerxexx on Jun 21, 2017
33
EXACTLY!! Thank you!!!
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
34
I'm thinking that if you only have two movies under your belt, you should strongly take into advisement what Lawrence Kasdan and particularly Kathleen Kennedy ( who is one of the most successful producers, if not the most successful, in modern Hollywood history) have to say.
kitano0 on Jun 21, 2017
35
Oh, no, no, no , no!! You got it all wrong. These HIGHLY seasoned direcTORS should have, nay MUST have final say AND cut of this work of art of theirs. The direcTORS of 21 Jump Street have far too much experience in this business to listen to producers.
Charles Knowlton on Jun 21, 2017
36
Oh no no no no... uh no! You are wrong.
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
37
This is very troubling news, indeed. But, no matter what they do, this movie will always be tarnished and that's a shame. With only a few weeks left in filming, that just makes no sense.
ion677 on Jun 21, 2017
38
How will it be tarnished? You know nothing about it.
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
39
The director and cast of Empire Strikes Back didn't stick to the script verbatim, and thus created some of the film's most memorable moments. Kasdan needs to pull his head out of his ass. I'm not saying Lord and Miller are infallible, maybe they were way out of line, but we'll never see what they shot, so we can only speculate.
thistof on Jun 22, 2017
40
I think it is you sir, who needs to pull his head out of his ass. All you know is what you've read.
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
41
I do know what I've read, and I acknowledged that in my final sentence. I also know what I've experienced. Kasdan has 3 or 4 good screenplays under his belt. Which is a good batting average in the industry. If TFA were one of the good screenplays, I'd agree he probably has a good handle on how to write Star Wars. Fact is, Star Wars is bigger than anyone, even George Lucas, as has been so exhaustingly pointed out. Kasdan is no exception, but since he is "of the noble literary profession" he thinks his work is too good to be edited. He probably plays golf with Neil Gaiman on the weekends.
thistof on Jun 22, 2017
42
"fresh, different, and thoroughly entertaining" That's probably the problem. When making a prequel how can you be these things and still hang on to the original feel. And Star Wars is not a comedy.
CyraNOSE on Jun 22, 2017
43
"creative genius's for 22 Jump Street"? That was a joke right? Looks like Ron Howard is taking over. hmmm
fasterpetey on Jun 22, 2017
44
What are the chances of a Han Solo origins film like this, living up to our memories of Han Solo from the original trilogy, regardless of who directs it?
foreigncontaminant on Jun 22, 2017
45
Maybe a more entertaining film, would be a satire about a studio trying to make a Han Solo prequel. "Gimme that!" (execs swarm on set, grabbing camera off director; various Binks-ian blue-lycra CGI standins run off in all directions)
foreigncontaminant on Jun 22, 2017
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