Lord and Miller have just released their latest film, sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary, but, years ago, they were set to helm a film in the galaxy far, far away.
The duo were the original directors for Solo, the spin-off starring Alden Ehrenreich that follows the origin story of Han Solo. However, Lord and Miller were replaced on the film by Ron Howard before release – though, by the sounds of things, they might have been originally signed up to do more films.
“We’re, at this precise moment, we’re releasing a movie in theaters that’s original,” Phil Lord said, when asked on the Happy Sad Confused podcast if the duo would consider a Star Wars movie. “And one of the opportunities that presents itself when you’re not on the hook for making, like, three Han Solo sequels [laughs], is that we have the opportunity to create the franchises of the future. Or, just an original movie that delivers the way the movies we grew up with delivered.”
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While Lord might be simply referring to the constraints of franchise filmmaking, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the duo was indeed signed up for more than one movie. After all, the Solo ending leaves things pretty open for more, with a cameo from Darth Maul, and Han and Chewie Tatooine-bound.
We’ll soon be seeing Maul again, too, in his own animated spin-off show Maul – Shadow Lord. This takes place before Solo on the Star Wars timeline, so it may well fill in some gaps in the Sith Lord’s story.
As for Lord and Miller, Project Hail Mary is in theaters now, and it’s proving a huge hit. Ryan Gosling stars as a scientist stranded in space tasked with saving Earth from the dying sun, with the help of his unlikely alien pal.
Look ahead to everything the galaxy far, far away has in store with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.
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