Stepping in to direct a film after the previous director was fired is a difficult task. Stepping in to direct a Star Wars film, however, carries even more pressure. That’s exactly the situation Ron Howard faced when her replaced Chris Miller and Phil Lord at the helm of Solo: A Star Wars Story. The director controversy alone could be enough to dissuade Howard from directing another Star Wars film. Add to that the film’s relatively poor box office (by Star Wars standards)? I’m not sure I’d to want return to Lucasfilm if I was him. Ron Howard, though, is still open to the notion.

Will Ron Howard Direct Star Wars Again?

Ron Howard

Image: Lucasfilm

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard stepped in to complete Solo after Lucasfilm parted ways with Lord and Miller over creative differences. Notwithstanding the director change, the film was an entertaining romp through the Star Wars underworld. You wouldn’t know it from the box office returns, but that was hardly Howard’s fault. No one would blame Howard if he didn’t fancy a return to the galaxy far, far away.

Conversely, Ron Howard admitted in an interview with Metro.co.uk that he hasn’t ruled out directing another Star Wars film. Speaking candidly, Howard said “I had a great experience with that” in reference to directing Solo. On whether he’d do it again, he said “[i]t would depend entirely on the story.”

The Howard/Star Wars Legacy

Ron Howard

Passing the ‘Star Wars’ torch: Director Ron Howard with his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard. (Image credit unknown.)

For the time being, Howard is living vicariously through his daughter. Disney recently announced that Bryce Dallas Howard would be among those to direct episodes of The Mandalorian. “She’s having a great experience,” said proud father Ron Howard. “So I’m just kind of living it again through her. It’s just a creative, inspired group of movie lovers who make those projects.”

Jon Favreau will produce The Mandalorian, the first live-action series of the Star Wars saga. The younger Howard will not only direct, but is rumored to have a role in the series, too. Together with the return of The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian will help launch Disney+, Disney’s new streaming service.

Ron Howard directs ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. (Image: Entertainment Weekly)

I for one would welcome Ron Howard behind the camera of a Star Wars film again. He has such films as A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13 and Rush on his resumé. Imagine what he could do with Star Wars when not just relegated to mop-up duty.

Source: Metro.co.uk