Ron Howard jumps on board Han Solo film as director

Ron Howard has signed on to replace Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at the helm of the Han Solo spin-off.

The directing duo exited the project earlier this week (ends23Jun17) after clashing with producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and co-writer/executive producer Lawrence Kasdan.

On Wednesday (21Jun17), it was reported the filmmaker was in talks to direct the movie and a day later it's official.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, production will resume on 10 July (17) with several weeks left on the shooting schedule.

Ron has a long history with George Lucas and Lucasfilm - he appeared in Lucas' 1973 film American Graffiti and directed George's 1988 movie Willow.

"At Lucasfilm, we believe the highest goal of each film is to delight, carrying forward the spirit of the saga that George Lucas began forty years ago," a statement from Kennedy reads. "With that in mind, we're thrilled to announce that Ron Howard will step in to direct the untitled Han Solo film. We have a wonderful script, an incredible cast and crew, and the absolute commitment to make a great movie."

The untitled Han Solo movie stars Alden Ehrenreich as a young Solo, a part made famous by Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars films. Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke co-star, with the movie slated for a spring 2018 release.

Meanwhile, Howard will have his hands full with an already packed schedule, which includes new films Seveneves and The Girl Before, and a documentary about late opera singer Luciano Pavarotti.