While many Star Wars fans have been focusing on the upcoming Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi, another film in the franchise has run into problems.
The duo behind 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie have been shooting the spin-off since January and the film is scheduled for a May 2018 release.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Variety reports that the announcement came after "months of conflict" with producer Kathleen Kennedy and the film's co-writer Lawrence Kasdan.
It adds that the two "irreverent" directors were reportedly "stunned" they were not being granted the creative freedom they expected and chafed at Kennedy’s tight control on the set.
"It was a culture clash from day one," a source told Variety. "She didn't even like the way they folded their socks."
Fans are worried there is a disturbance in the force.
Some wondered whether the Han Solo film was a good idea in the first place.
However, others will take heart at the rumours that Ron Howard has been tipped to take over the troubled production, which stars Alden Ehrenreich as a younger version of the space hero, originally played by Harrison Ford, and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.
William Hughes on the AV Club says that now the HanSolo film needs a new director, everyone is trying to figure out who it’ll be.
Kasdan has been put forward as a potential replacement while Howard's name is "being quietly bandied around".
Hughes adds that the director's career has been a bit quiet lately and "it's not like he doesn't know his way around a big-budget, space-based production".
While it's too soon to know, "don't be utterly shocked if Howard's the one who's eventually tapped to get the Han Solo film".
Fans may also be encouraged by the fate of the previous Star Wars spin-off film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
While many were concerned when producers Disney ordered reshoots shortly before its release last December, the film went on to become a global megahit.
-
Secured vs. unsecured loans: how do they differ and which is better?the explainer They are distinguished by the level of risk and the inclusion of collateral
-
‘States that set ambitious climate targets are already feeling the tension’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Mixing up mixology: The year ahead in cocktail and bar trendsthe week recommends It’s hojicha vs. matcha, plus a whole lot more
-
Microdramas are boomingUnder the radar Scroll to watch a whole movie
-
The biggest box office flops of the 21st centuryin depth Unnecessary remakes and turgid, expensive CGI-fests highlight this list of these most notorious box-office losers
-
The 8 best superhero movies of all timethe week recommends A genre that now dominates studio filmmaking once struggled to get anyone to take it seriously
-
Josh D’Amaro: the theme park guru taking over DisneyIn the Spotlight D’Amaro has worked for the Mouse House for 27 years
-
Golden Globes affirm ‘One Battle,’ boost ‘Hamnet’Speed Read Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony
-
The most anticipated movies of 2026The Week Recommends If the trailers are anything to go by, film buffs are in for a treat
-
Oscars jump to YouTube after decades at ABCSpeed Read The awards show will be broadcast worldwide on YouTube starting in 2029
-
Son arrested over killing of Rob and Michele ReinerSpeed Read Nick, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been booked for the murder of his parents
