SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Director Ron Howard Weighs In On Possible Sequel Plans And What Went Wrong

Every May, Star Wars fans mark the anniversary of Solo: A Star Wars Story's release by taking to Twitter and Instagram to demand that Lucasfilm #MakeSolo2Happen. Thus far, nothing has happened, with even plans for a Donald Glover-led Lando spin-off on Disney+ seemingly falling by the wayside since being announced. 

The 2018 movie was plagued by behind-the-scenes problems, including a change in directors after Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were replaced by Ron Howard. 

Talking to NME (via SFFGazette.com), the filmmaker reflected on the experience of stepping behind the camera to finish (and reshape) Solo, and weighed in on the chances of a sequel. "The only discussion that I’m aware of about a sequel for Solo is coming from the fans at this point," he explained. "I don’t think it’s a Lucasfilm priority, as I understand it."

Despite a Solo 2 sounding increasingly unlikely, Howard wouldn't be against the idea of telling another Han Solo story.

"There [were] some great characters launched, and the folks from Lucasfilm love the fans and really do listen so I would never say never — but I’m not aware of any concrete plans right now to extend the story or deal with that particular set of characters"

As for what went wrong with Solo (it received mostly positive reviews but failed to take off at the box office), Howard puts it down to one issue, in particular. "Maybe it’s the idea that it’s too nostalgic," the director acknowledged. "That going back and revisiting an origin story for a beloved character may not be what the fans were looking for."

The bigger issue may have been trying to recapture the magic of Han Solo without the legendary Harrison Ford, while a last-minute marketing campaign - a result of those reshoots - did little to help matters either. 

You can check out what Solo: A Star Wars Story writer Jon Kasdan recently told us about possible sequel plans in the player below.