In a candid discussion, Ron Howard reflected on the creative challenges he faced when taking over the “Star Wars” prequel, “Solo,” from original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The “Solo” creative clash became apparent as Lucasfilm’s president, Kathleen Kennedy, sought Howard’s assistance due to tonal disagreements with the previous directors. Despite the rocky transition, Howard praised some of Lord and Miller’s footage and shared insights on what went wrong, expressing that the situation was “still just a shame.”
The Creative Impasse
Howard shared with Vulture how he became involved with “Solo” after Kennedy and co-writer Jonathan Kasdan informed him of a creative standoff with Lord and Miller. “They basically said, ‘We’ve reached a creative impasse with Lord and Miller. Would you ever consider coming in?’” he recalled. The “Solo” creative clash centered on the movie’s tone, which deviated from what Lucasfilm envisioned.
After viewing some edited footage, Howard understood the studio’s perspective but noted, “I couldn’t judge that because I didn’t see enough of it to know. But they were sure.” Once committed, he re-evaluated the script and proposed necessary reshoots while recognizing some impressive elements in the original work. The directors were “incredibly gracious throughout that process,” despite seeing “two different movies.”
Consultation with George Lucas
Before taking the plunge, Howard sought advice from “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, who was not involved in “Solo’s” development. Lucas’s sage advice, “Just don’t forget — it’s for 12-year-old boys,” guided Howard in maintaining the series’ youthful spirit amid the “Solo” creative clash.
Expectation Versus Reality
“Solo” intended to launch new “Star Wars” narratives with young versions of Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, with sequels and spin-offs in mind. However, the film’s disappointing box office performance, grossing $392 million worldwide, shelved those plans. Despite the setback, Howard described his experience positively.
In a 2019 “Happy Sad Confused” podcast appearance, he expressed mixed emotions about the film’s reception. Although he was thrilled with the theatrical experience and audience reactions, he acknowledged the financial shortfall. Howard suggested nostalgia as a contributing factor to the “Solo” creative clash, proposing that “revisiting an origin story for a beloved character may not be what the fans were looking for.”
For more details on Howard’s perspective, visit Vulture’s website for the full interview.
