Moviefone Editorial

Tag: ron howard

  • Woody Harrelson Opens Up About the Han Solo Movie Director Change: ‘You Can Relax’

    'Wilson' New York Screening - ArrivalsThe Han Solo movie has dealt with some major upheaval in recent months, but Woody Harrelson is evidently unfazed.

    When asked about the film’s recent director change, the actor told Uproxx, “You can relax … because obviously the Force is with us.” Harrelson is clearly pleased with Ron Howard as the replacement for former helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller; he spoke of Howard in glowing terms, describing the filmmaker as “great” and “awesome.”

    “He’s such a gentleman and so prepared,” Harrelson told publication.

    That is not to say he disapproved of Lord and Miller. In fact, he had previously raved about them, telling Collider they would help make the upcoming Star Wars spinoff possibly “the best one” in the franchise. However, with the Miller and Lord reportedly exiting due to creative differences, the project was lucky to nab Howard.

    “I loved Chris and Phil,” Harrelson said. “But I think we did land in very capable hands.”

    With Howard directing, the Han Solo movie is scheduled for a May 25, 2018 release date.

    [via: Uproxx]

  • More Han Solo Movie Details: Editor Fired, Acting Coach Hired

    More details are emerging about the firing of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller from the upcoming Han Solo-centered “Star Wars” movie.

    Since the duo was let go by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy last week, sources have revealed that there was a personality clash between the directors and the studio. The Hollywood Reporter has a new story detailing some of the “deep fundamental philosophical differences.”

    One source told THR that production department heads had begun to complain. “You have to make decisions much earlier than what they’re used to. I don’t know if it’s because there were two of them but they were not decisive.”

    THR says tensions began to escalate in May when Lucasfilm replaced editor Chris Dickens with Oscar winner Pietro Scalia. They also hired an acting coach for star Alden Ehrenreich — not an unusual move, but for the late timing of it.

    Still, Kennedy was apparently still troubled, as was Lawrence Kasdan, a writer and producer who penned the script with his son. He flew into London, but Lord and Miller were not willing to accept a “shadow director” in the vein of Tony Gilroy, who took over reshoots on “Rogue One” from Gareth Edwards.

    Ron Howard has now been hired to finish up production, which will now extend a couple more months. He has reportedly been in touch with Lord and Miller, and a source said much of what they shot is “very usable.”

  • Chris Hemsworth Faces a Really Angry Whale in ‘In the Heat of the Sea’

    Looks like we’re going to need a bigger harpoon.

    The latest trailer for Ron Howard’s “In the Heart of the Sea” starring Chris Hemsworth brings the crew of the Essex face-to-angry-face (and tail) with one miffed whale, in the true story that inspired the novel “Moby Dick.”

    Many of the same rampaging whale scenes are featured in the new trailer — the whale prefers the direct head-butting approach that sends masts, booms, ropes, planking, one heavy anchor and many terrified seamen flying — plus some snazzy underwater whale-cam shots.

    The 1820-set movie also expands on “Moby Dick” in showing the ugly aftermath as the surviving sailors struggle to stay alive.

    Originally set for March 2015 release, the movie now has been pushed into the heart of awards season, hitting theaters in early December.

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