Phil Lord and Christopher Miller seemed like the perfect choice to helm the currently untitled Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film. After all, these are the guys that brought us one of the best animations of the decade, The Lego Movie and one of the best comedies of the decade, 21 Jump Street. So, what went wrong? 

The simple answer would be creative differences. That seems to be THE go to term these days isn’t it? Why did this director get fired? “Creative differences.” Why did that director quit? Creative differences. Why did the movie suck? Creative differences between filmmakers and audience. Okay, nobody actually said that last bit, but you get my point.

As cliche as it might seem, there might have been some MAJOR creative differences between Lord & Miller and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, who also penned the script for Star War: The Empire Strike Back and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

In a recent statement (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter) Phil Lord and Christopher Miller had this to say:

Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project. We normally aren’t fans of the phrase ‘creative differences’ but for once this cliché is true. We are really proud of the amazing and world-class work of our cast and crew

While I’m not a fan of studios firing directors as they please, as far as Star Wars goes, Kasdan knows his sh*t. So, if he’s unhappy with the way things are going, it’s best if Lucasfilm listens to him. After all it can be argued that Kasdan is the man who really made Han Solo the swashbuckling, sarcastic man that he is. Sure, Han Solo existed even during  Star Wars: A New Hope, which Kasdan wasn’t a part of. But I think most would agree when I say, it is only in Empire Strikes Back that Han Solo truly becomes HAN “effing” SOLO.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are great at directing comedy. And while scenes involving Han Solo usually gets the crowd laughing, he is NOT a comedic character. He’s mean, sarcastic, selfish, but yet there’s something very charming and likable about him.

And that’s exactly what some sources are saying as well. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, a Lucasfilm insider had this to say:

People need to understand that Han Solo is not a comedic personality. He’s sarcastic and selfish.

So, if Lord and Miller were taking the Han Solo character in a comedic direction, firing them could prove to be the right move. While the Han Solo movie has already started filming, it’s not too late for a change of this magnitude, especially considering the movie will only be hitting cinemas next year.

So, if not Lord and Miller, then who? There are RUMOURS circling around that either Ron Howard or Joe Johnston might step in and takeover the director’s chair. Personally, I’m not fond of either of them. While Captain America: The First Avenger is a decent film, Joe Johnston’s other projects like Hidalgo and Jurassic Park III are pretty damn terrible. Ron Howard is also a hit and miss kinda director. For every Cinderella Man, he makes a The Dilemma.

My personal pick would be Rick Famuyiwa, the man who helmed Dope. Dope is a comedy too, but it wasn’t the kind of gut busting ROFL kinda comedy. It’s serious when it needs to be. It’s emotional when it needs to be. Dope proves that Rick Famuyiwa can balance various tones. Unfortunately, Famuyiwa is currently filming a TV Movie, The Chi, so I’m not sure if his schedule would allow it.

The Untitled Han Solo Star Wars Anthology Film will hit cinemas May 2018.