SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY's Directors On Being Fired And Why Their JUMP STREET/MEN IN BLACK Movie Was Scrapped

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY's Directors On Being Fired And Why Their JUMP STREET/MEN IN BLACK Movie Was Scrapped

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller reflect on what they learned after being ousted from Solo: A Star Wars Story and why their Men in Black movie ended up not happening.

By JoshWilding - Jun 08, 2023 08:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: Rolling Stone (via SFFGazette.com)

Phil Lord and Chris Miller being tapped to direct Solo: A Star Wars Story for Lucasfilm was news welcomed by fans, especially after their standout work on 21 Jump Street and The LEGO Movie

Unfortunately, their love of improv didn't sit well with Kathleen Kennedy and, after issues with Gareth Edwards on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, she chose to dismiss Lord and Miller and Willow helmer Ron Howard was enlisted to finish the movie. 

Talking to Rolling Stone (via SFFGazette.com), the filmmakers reflected on what they learned from their time working in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. 

"So much of that experience was positive," Lord admits. "We worked with so many great crew people and the Creature Shop, and these amazing craftspeople in London, and a great cast. So like, they can’t take the experience that you gain, that many days of shooting. That stays with you. And so that made us better filmmakers."

Miller added, "And then gave us a drive to make things that felt new and original and fresh and interesting, and have something cool to say and bring things into the world that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. And that’s been a driving force before, and even more so after."

Perhaps taking a shot at the way Kennedy oversees the directors she hires for these movies, Lord went on to say, "Yeah, it’s important to remember that Star Wars was an independent film. And it’s important, for us, anyway, to remain independent voices even while making these big franchises for big studios."

Another project the duo thought about making before it failed to materialise was a crossover between the Jump Street and Men in Black franchises. 

Sony ultimately chose to head in a different direction with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson starring in a poorly received reboot of the latter, while 23 Jump Street never materialized. Asked why the planned mashup didn't become a reality, Miller suggested that bringing the two franchises together might have been too big an ask for those in charge. 

"It was a cool idea. I think most likely that opportunity has passed, but it was very fun. It was crazy. It was a crazy thing to try. One of those things where, if it works, it’s incredible. And if it doesn’t, you can take down two franchises. And so you know, the pressure was very high. And so it was a missed opportunity."

It's a real shame we never got to see the crossover become a reality, but the moment has now passed. Instead, the duo appear to be busy expanding Sony's Spider-Verse both in live-action and animation, including live-action projects revolving around Spider-Man Noir and Silk.

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FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 6/8/2023, 8:02 AM
Kennedy is kicking herself. So is WB. Big time L losing these two.
DevilsDreams
DevilsDreams - 6/8/2023, 10:59 AM
@PlusUltra - I think Kennedy is off in a galaxy of her own...
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/8/2023, 8:05 AM
So all that bullshit about how difficult they were and how the cast hated them was BULLLLSHIIIITTT.

Donald Glover must really hate them huh? He'll never work with them ever again. lol.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 6/8/2023, 11:07 AM
@ObserverIO - both can be true.

Almost every time, when someone is difficult to work with, it's probably because he's having difficulties hims themselves.

It was a big jump for them to try and make a Star Wars movies. They were not used to big production like this.

But I still think they would have delivered a way better movie than the one we got.

I can't wait to see what they'll work on next.
Reginator
Reginator - 6/8/2023, 8:15 AM
MIB/jumpstreet was a stupid ass idea. Surprised the studio didn't go ahead with it.
19Batman84
19Batman84 - 6/8/2023, 8:26 AM
@Reginator - if done right it could have been damn funny i think
Bokis
Bokis - 6/8/2023, 11:26 AM
@Reginator - I thought so too at first but upon a rewatch of the Jump Street movies it became so clear that the first one is a commentary on reboots and the second a commentary on sequels. The MIB/Jumpstreet movie could have been a fun commentary on crossovers
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 6/8/2023, 8:17 AM
Man I can only imagine how fun this movie would have been. Would love to see another Jump Street movie.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 6/8/2023, 8:22 AM
To me, this idea was just too far ahead of its time. I could easily see unexpected crossovers becoming the next multiverse-type trend in Hollywood as studios are more and more desperate to find ways to capitalize on their IP.
Cap1
Cap1 - 6/8/2023, 8:36 AM
Jump Street/MIB crossover written by these two is a recipe for some of the funniest, wildest stuff. So bummed that got scrapped, ingenious idea
Twenty23Three
Twenty23Three - 6/8/2023, 8:48 AM
The two jump street movies were great so I’d love to see a third one, be in MIB or normal cops still. I think you could easily do the MIB one, get Will Smith in to do the Ice Cube Chief role. Honestly since it’s Sony getting the Hill and Tatum’s Jump Street characters could have been more fun than either of the Ghostbusters we’ve got
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 6/8/2023, 9:23 AM
They should have pulled the trigger on this. As stupid of a crossover this would be....Done right this movie would have been special man...
MrDandy
MrDandy - 6/8/2023, 9:38 AM
I still want to see that Jump Street/ Men in Black crossover. Sounds nuts.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 6/8/2023, 10:06 AM
The Jump Street movies are brilliant! The crossover idea was always weird, but seeing those two as MIB agents in that same comedy fashion of Jump Street, not hard to imagine how that could be darn funny.
dracula
dracula - 6/8/2023, 11:28 AM
Wonder what the plot would have been

Them going undercover at some kind of men in black academy

Or

Aliens infiltrating a school they are investigating
RedFury
RedFury - 6/8/2023, 12:20 PM
Please let the MIB/Jump Street movie happen at some point. The potential it has to be a fun ride is massive! I'd without a doubt see it.
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