Mon Aug 18 04:10:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Ron Howard Reveals ‘Solo’ Director Change Came Down to Tone, Says George Lucas Gave One Key Piece of Advice**
Los Angeles, CA – In a candid interview with Vulture, Ron Howard has shed new light on his experience stepping in to direct “Solo: A Star Wars Story” after Lucasfilm parted ways with original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. According to Howard, the decision stemmed from a fundamental disagreement in tone.
Howard explained that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and co-writer Jonathan Kasdan approached him, revealing a “creative impasse” with Lord and Miller. After viewing some edited footage, Howard understood the studio’s concerns, stating, “There was a studio that liked the script the way it was and wanted a ‘Star Wars’ movie, but there was a disconnect early on tonally, and they weren’t convinced that what Phil and Chris were doing was working effectively.”
Howard emphasized that he couldn’t definitively judge Lord and Miller’s vision but understood Lucasfilm’s conviction. After agreeing he could deliver the script as intended, the studio decided to reshoot a significant portion of the film. Howard praised Lord and Miller for their graciousness throughout the transition, stating, “They were just seeing two different movies.”
Before fully committing, Howard sought advice from “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, who, despite not being involved in the project, offered simple yet vital guidance: “Just don’t forget — it’s for 12-year-old boys.”
Despite Howard’s efforts and the film’s unveiling of new elements like the return of Darth Maul, “Solo” underperformed at the box office, earning $392 million worldwide and effectively halting planned sequels and spinoffs. In a 2019 podcast appearance, Howard described the film’s reception as “disappointing,” attributing the lackluster performance potentially to “nostalgia” fatigue.
The full interview with Ron Howard is available on Vulture’s website.
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