Phil Lord & Chris Miller to Direct Han Solo 'Star Wars' Movie for 2018 ~ Cinenus

Time to geek out, my friends! Because everything is awesome (in a galaxy far, far away). Disney + Lucasfilm have officially announced that The LEGO Movie co-directors Chris Miller & Phil Lord will be directing the next upcoming Star Wars spin-off movie. Currently set for release in May of 2018 (on May 25th, 2018 in the summer), this second spin-off (following Rogue One) in the Star Wars Anthology series will be about Han Solo. Specifically, it's about "how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley." The screenplay is written by father/son team Lawrence Kasdan & Jon Kasdan. Yes! This is the news we were waiting for.

We've been anxiously awaiting new details on the continuation of the Star Wars Anthology series, and now we have more to work with. Rogue One is about plans to steal the Death Star plans and will apparently include Darth Vader, to be directed by Gareth Edwards. That one is up first, due in late 2016 with filming starting soon. Following that film we'll get this one next - still untitled, but a spin-off story about Han Solo directed by the guys who brought us The LEGO Movie, 21 + 22 Jump Street and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This one is due out in 2018. Lord & Miller commenting on the news from the press release:

"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."

Dang, this is huge for these two. If there are any two filmmakers that have a grasp on comedy, it's Lord & Miller; I've laughed more at their movies in the last 5 years than pretty much anything else. They have been rumored for a number of major projects all over Hollywood, but it's also exciting to see them working on Star Wars. "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 [the writers] 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," said Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy. It sounds like she's just as excited about this decision as we are.

Everything about the way this new era of Star Wars movies is being handled sounds like it's going to turn out remarkable. I'm really hoping that's the case. Every move so far has been inspired. They've focused their sights on and found some of the most talented, young filmmakers working in Hollywood and I can't wait to see the results. Lord & Miller present the early (mis-)adventures of Han Solo? Shut up and take my money.

Cinenus

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Wednesday, 8 July 2015