Ron Howard directing The New Han Solo movie and other throughts on Star Wars and movie making

Like many Star Wars fans I was thrilled and worried likewise when it was announced that George Lucas had sold his company to Disney. Fearing the destruction of one of the most beloved movie franchises, like it has happened for instance with Highlander, when a brilliant movie's legacy was distroyed with mediocre and bad sequels. 

But just like with the reboot of Star Trek, which despite my hate for reboots, I admit to loving, this new trilogy of Star Trek began with a J.J. Abrams movie, that revitalized the franchise. After two brilliant Star Trek movies J.J. Abrams moved on to Star Wars and the next Star Trek movie was helmed by Justin Lin, a director mainly known for the Fast & Furious franchise, which is merely action driven. The result was a movie lacking heart and having too much action for its own good. 

Therefore when it was announced that with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, two directors were to helm the new Han Solo movie starring Alden Ehrenreich, that were mainly known for comedy, Star Wars fans all over were literally panicking. Why would Disney risk handing over such a movie to two directors that were untested in that respect and had yet to prove that they have the skills for such a project? 

While there are certainly political workings behind doors fans don't know about, from a professional point of view it was unexplainable, since the directors had no experience with blockbusters or science fiction whatsoever, nor with the dramatic content one might expect from a Star Wars movie. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller might be good directors capable of handling such a project but why not allowing them to grow into such projects? 

One would wish that movie studios would be less political and take more pride in their work. These days more than ever it is merely about money making, which is the only explanation for the amount of reboots the market is swamped with. The formula is simple: If they liked the story once they will like it again. Of course movie making is a business but when did it stop being about art and entertainment as well? 

Thankfully Disney seems to have realised its error and has corrected it by bringing Ron Howard on board for the Han Solo movie. A choice which in my point of view is simply perfect! He has the chops to take on the drama and story driven part, as we have seen in "A Beautiful Mind" and "Frost/Nixon", as well as the "eye for magic" required for a Star Wars movie. The unforgotten "Cocoon" is proof of this, as well as "Willow". Besides he has credits from all different genres to this name expect of horror, which is really important, since Star Wars is truly a mix of genres. There is comedy in it, as well as romance and drama. In addition we have of course action, science fiction and fantasy. 

Let's wait to see if Ron Howard will fullfill the expectation from the fandom. If he doesn't at least it won't be for lack of skills. 

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