Lord & Miller to Helm Solo Han Solo Film
The Hollywood Reporter has an exclusive report that the next Star Wars Anthology film, to be released May 25, 2018, will focus on a young Han Solo.
Lawrence Kasdan and son Jon are set to write the screenplay, with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (The LEGO Movie) on board to direct. The story will follow Han Solo in his days as a smuggler prior to his encounter with a young moisture farmer and a “crazy old man” on Tatooine.
In a statement posted on StarWars.com the directing duo said, “This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with. We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us. This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all.”
“We’re so excited to be working with Chris and Phil, who will bring a fresh new dimension to the Star Wars universe,” said the Kasdans. “They’re two of the smartest, funniest and most original filmmakers around, and the ideal choice to tell the story of Han Solo, one of the coolest characters in the galaxy.”
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says she “can’t wait” to see what develops. “It’s not just any filmmaker who can tell the story of such a beloved icon like Han Solo, and I’m excited to say we’ve found the perfect team to handle the task. Larry and Jon know all there is to know about the character, and Chris and Phil will bring their wit, style, energy and heart to tell Han’s story.”
This is not the rumored Boba Fett solo film that was assigned to Josh Trank, who left the project just prior to Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim.
Kasdan, who’s among the writers on The Force Awakens, also co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back. Miller served as an intern at Lucasfilm early in his career.
No word on whether the story will parallel the trilogy of novels written by the late Ann Crispin, but fans are already hoping for at least a nod her way.
