Star Wars: Ron Howard Reportedly The Top Choice To Direct Han Solo Spinoff

06/20/2017 10:11 pm EDT

It appears like Disney and Lucasfilm may already have a frontrunner to take over the Han Solo spinoff movie following the leave of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. According to Deadline, it looks like Ron Howard is being eyed to take over the movie.

Earlier today, news broke that Lucasfilm had parted ways with its previous directors for the untitled Han Solo spinoff. The film, which is already nearing the end of production, has been filming in London since February at London's Pinewood Studios. The nature of the split is said to be over creative differences, leaving Lucasfilm in a pinch to find a director to oversee the rest of the feature. If Howard were to step in on Han Solo, the project would be gaining a vetted professional who could ensure the Star Wars film meets its May 2018 release pocket. So far, no official confirmation from Disney or Lucasfilm has been made about a new director.

Deadline is reporting that Howard is busy working on a documentary about Luciano Pavarotti, but the director may "step right in here and keep the film on track."

When Lucasfilm confirmed Lord and Miller had exited its Han Solo films, the company's president released a statement about the leave. Kathleen Kennedy had this to say in her address: "Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are talented filmmakers who have assembled an incredible cast and crew, but it's become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we've decided to part ways. A new director will be announced soon."

Han Solo: A Star Wars Story is filming now under directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller for a May 25, 2018 release. Alden Ehrenreich stars as a young Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca in the era before Star Wars: A New Hope, before they met Leia and Luke and embarked on a galaxy-saving adventure. Donald Glover also stars as Lando Calrissian, with Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Emilia Clarke in as-yet-unrevealed co-starring roles.

Are you excited to learn more about the origin of the Galaxy's most famous smuggler? Let us know with your vote in the Anticipation Rankings below!

MORE HAN SOLO NEWS: Star Wars Han Solo Movie Adds New Cast Member / Star Wars: Apparently Han Solo Isn't The Smuggler's Real Name / Star Wars: Han Solo Standalone Will Span Over Six Years

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