The official Star Wars website has just confirmed that Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the directors of The Lego Movie, will direct a Han Solo-centric Star Wars Anthology movie slated for release on May 25, 2018.
The film “focuses on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.”
Deep breath. Deep breath.
“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with,” Lord and Miller said in a statement. “We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us. This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all.”
The film (which is one of the Star Wars standalone films which are officially called Star Wars Anthology films) will follow this year’s release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the 2016 release of Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One and the 2017 release of Star Wars Episode VIII.
Long time legend Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay with his son Jon Kasdan. “We’re so excited to be working with Chris and Phil, who will bring a fresh new dimension to the Star Wars universe,” said both Kasdans. “They’re two of the smartest, funniest and most original filmmakers around, and the ideal choice to tell the story of Han Solo, one of the coolest characters in the galaxy.”
Finally, here’s what Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said about the film and their newly minted Star Wars filmmakers: “It’s not just any filmmaker who can tell the story of such a beloved icon like Han Solo, and I’m excited to say we’ve found the perfect team to handle the task. Larry and Jon know all there is to know about the character, and Chris and Phil will bring their wit, style, energy and heart to tell Han’s story.”