Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have left in their roles as co-directors of the untitled Han Solo stand-alone prequel due to creative differences.

The duo were named as co-directors back in the summer of 2015.  Lawrence and Jon Kasdan wrote the screenplay.

The following statement was posted on the Star Wars website yesterday:

The untitled Han Solo film will move forward with a directorial change.

“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,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

“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,” stated Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

The untitled Han Solo film remains scheduled for a May 2018 release.

According to Deadline, Ron Howard is being eyed as the top candidate to take over.  Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the screenplay, is also being suggested as a candidate.  I have not heard any women being mentioned as candidates to direct the anthology film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the duo clashed with Kasdan, a Star Wars veteran.  Kasdan’s preference for what’s written in the screenplay being what’s shot on screen is different than that of Lord and Miller, who come from the comedic background and probably wanted to improvise scenes.  There’s no doubt that Lucasfilm is siding with Kasdan over the newcomers to the franchise because they value their films and box office potential.  Do fans want to go see a Han Solo film with expectations of a laugh riot?  When you attach Lord and Miller to a film, a laugh riot is expected and Lucasfilm should have known this prior to hiring them.

Production started earlier this year and the cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca.