Now that Ron Howard has been installed as director of the as-yet untitled Han Solo movie, leaks are now starting to emerge from the production that tell quite an interesting story.
According to a number of sources who spoke to Entertainment Weekly, it seemed Lord and Miller's tenure as directors on the set was doomed from the outset. The big takeaway from it all is that the comedic duo were brought on to enrich the story with their own brand of wise-ass, knowing comedy - but instead, they were pushing the film in a different direction and utilising improvisation from the actors that was fundamentally changing the story, something that irked screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and Lucasfilm themselves.
Per EW's sources, Lord and Miller were intent on making a comedy whereas Lucasfilm wanted comedic overtones, but not a straight comedy film. The intent was to make Han Solo into a sort-of Western, which would suit the character, but still have the humour and charisma of it as well.
EW's sources also say that when the dailies from the film began to roll in, Lucasfilm became alarmed at just how much improvisation was happen and how far off the tone of the film was to what they'd initially set out. Keep in mind, production kicked off January 30th of this year and we're now six months in - so kicking them off the film at this stage in the game is almost unheard of. Lord and Miller, meanwhile, fought their corner and argued that what they'd done so far was right for the film - but Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm simply weren't having it.
Eventually, the situation reached a point where Lord and Miller were unprepared to make the changes she felt were needed and they were then fired - with Ron Howard signing on the very next day to take over.
What this means now for the film remains to be seen. Ron Howard is due to arrive on set in the next two weeks and has been ordered to restart production immediately, as the release date is looming fast. The DGA - that's the Directors Guild of America - is likely to get involved with who takes the credit for the film, and there's also the question of reshooting the work Lord and Miller have already done or using what's salvageable for the film itself.
With Rogue One, the fear was that you'd have a severely disjointed film with Gareth Edwards and Tony Gilroy directing two different films - but it worked out there and the film was a critical and commercial success. This time? We've got a bad feeling about this.
Via EW
