How Woody Harrelson Found Out About Han Solo Directors’ Firing

The last few weeks have provided a whirlwind of news regarding the forthcoming Han Solo spinoff movie. After directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were canned from the project, Lucasfilm quickly announced that Academy Award-winning Ron Howard would step in to take over the production.

Actor Woody Harrelson has been (unsurprisingly) coy about the directorial exchange, praising both the departed group of Lord and Miller while expressing optimism for the project under Howard. The two even worked together alongside Matthew McConaughey for EdTV.

Harrelson just opened up to THR and revealed how he found out about Lord and Miller’s firing from Star Wars executive producer Alli Shearmur.

“Alli gave me the word on [Ron Howard replacing the directors],” Harrelson said. “He’s a wonderful guy. And we did shoot one day with him — we had to shoot because Thandie had to leave. We start again July 12. I think I read some stuff where people were worried about the fate of this movie. I wouldn’t worry. The Force is still very much with it.”

Harrelson said he hung out with Miller and Lord before filming began and referred to them as “really good guys.”

It’s nice to see the actor attempt to assuage fears and alleviate concerns that the production is doomed, but it’s not likely to work very well — only seeing the finished product will allow fans to make that judgement.

The Han Solo spinoff movie is due in theaters May 25, 2018.

MORE HAN SOLO NEWS: Ron Howard Teases Fans With Wardrobe From Han Solo Spin-Off / Han Solo Movie Seems Determined To Keep Its 2018 Release Date / Do The Han Solo Movie’s Crew Shirts Reveal Its Title?

The Han Solo spinoff 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 scruffy lookin’ nerf herder’s time before joining the Rebellion? Let us know with your vote in our Anticipation Rankings below!