If Rogue One caught some unwanted attention last summer for its decision to undergo extensive reshoots – reshoots that were conducted under the supervision of Tony Gilroy, not Gareth Edwards – then Lucasfilm’s Han Solo anthology pic was thrust into the eye of a media storm after Phil Lord and Chris Miller were abruptly removed from the project back in June.
Citing the ol’ “creative differences” chestnut, subsequent reports went on to reveal that Lord and Miller’s comedic tendencies threatened to steer Solo: A Star Wars Story off the beaten track, so it came as no surprise that Lucasfilm brass turned to a seasoned Oscar-winner (read: Ron Howard) to course-correct its second Star Wars anthology film.
Fast forward to now, and after purportedly reshooting 80 percent of Solo, principal photography on Howard’s spinoff has officially wrapped in anticipation of its release on May 25th, 2018. All in all, it’s another whirlwind saga for the history books, but while chatting to EW, Westworld actress Thandie Newton assured fans that the end product is still “amazing.”
Apart from the initial shock and feeling bad for [Lord and Miller] not being able to finish their work, their work is everywhere in it,” says the actress, who last month completed some additional shooting in London on the film. “Ninety percent of my stuff is with them. And it certainly wasn’t about, ‘Oh we have to start again and do it all over.’
And though the Star Wars community naturally grew concerned that Lucasfilm’s Han Solo flick was destined to fall off the rails, particularly after reports claimed the company was left unimpressed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s initial vision, Newton believes the spinoff is right back on track.
Per EW:
Obviously, it was a surprise. I love Phil and Chris — everybody loves Phil and Chris — they’re so brilliant. Ron and the guys were talking to each other. As far as I’m concerned what’s on screen, in the end, is going to be an amazing collaboration. It’s a massive piece. We see so often now there are two directors working on pictures. We already had two with Phil and Chris. Now there’s three. With a project like that where it’s a vision that’s been created over so many years, that’s so expansive, I think it’s less about things going wrong than getting more help to bring it into the best position it can be in. I really like Ron though, he’s very sweet. And [the film is] dope; it’s so cool! And it’s such a great cast with Phoebe [Waller-Bridge], [Alden] Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Woody [Harrelson] and, of course, you know the wonderful Game of Thrones angel, Emilia [Clarke].
Beyond The Last Jedi‘s release on December 15th, Lucasfilm will point us in the direction of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which has been slated for May 25th, 2018.
