Solo (Ron Howard, 2018)

[matrixschmatrix]

Yeah, the degree to which this is culpably bad decision making has nothing to do with her gender, but I think movielocke is right that the kind of internet idiots constantly on the prowl for a common cause to attack women with are going to smell blood on this one.

[Big Ben]

I'm young enough (And I say this because my age group was more associated with Gamergate) to tell you that as long as any of these Star Wars films don't approach what these individuals consider "Social Justice Warrior" content they should be fine. Gamergate was and remains (unfortunately) a harassment campaign masquerading as a campaign to make video game journalists more ethical. Any sort of involvement in what is deemed unsavory politically matters to them (LGBT rights, empowerment of women etc.) and is considered an offense and can unfortunately lead to harassment. As many of these individuals only care about what is physically on the screen or what is being said by the actors (Mark Hamill has been attacked for attacking Trump openly by them) I don't think Kathleen is in any danger. Although I do find it IMMENSELY humorous that the so called "Alt-Right" cannot figure out that the Empire was based on you know who however. Most of their attacks equate to "Keep politics out of our (They actually use our) films and games!" Anyone who isn't foaming at the mouth by this could tell you that translates to "Keep politics I disagree with out of your films and games."

As I stated above I think this will fly well below their radar. But that doesn't make the behind the scenes gossip any less well...Hollywood.

[Shrew]

Yeah, fortunately/unfortunately, it would take Kennedy making a statement that Lord/Miller were fired for not giving the female characters more screen time or not making Han/Lando bisexual to really get the internet riled up. Especially given that a lot of those most strident fans were probably skeptical of Lord and Miller from the start; these are directors of comedies and kids movies after all, who can not be trusted to deliver the "badass" Solo movie they want. And that fan base seems to prefer Rogue One over Force Awakens for its darker take (shades of the DCU), while the general public was more critical.

[hearthesilence]

Lawrence Kasdan hasn't really done anything good since the 80s.

I'm tempted to replace "since the 80s" with "ever." The Big Chill and The Accidental Tourist aren't my cup of tea, and I wasn't a fan of his film noir pastiche Body Heat.

[beamish13]

Lawrence Kasdan hasn't really done anything good since the 80s.

I'm tempted to replace "since the 80s" with "ever."

I adore Silverado. Seeing a 70mm blowup print last year was a really tremendous experience. Body Heat is a
fine work, if derivative. I Love You to Death is highly amusing. Accidental Tourist is beautiful; like Green Card,
and example of the low-key comedy that Hollywood won't make anymore.

So much has been made of the Big Chill/Secaucus 7 connection, but I think Grand Canyon/City of Hope
have even more in common, and it really reveals Kasdan's failings as a social observer.


Jonathan Kasdan, however...
Just please, PLEASE try to avoid seeing In the Land of Women, which is one of the most embarrassing directorial debuts of the 2000's.

[bearcuborg]

Kennedy has had one hell of a career so far, but her meddling in Rogue One didn't help. It was awful...

What's the story here?

Kennedy fired first.

[Finch]

The Disney powers that be must be balking at this development. Second spin off film in a row with behind the scenes trouble. Wouldn't surprise me if they lean on Kennedy, "next time you hire someone, be 110% sure you're happy with their take on things". It's not always going to work out okay as it did with Rogue One (FWIW, I liked it better than Force Awakens, though, like domino, I'm not invested in Star Wars to begin with). This sort of thing makes for great gossip and behind-the-scenes documentaries (if only, they'd be more candid about it; it was hardly addressed in Rogue One) but it's not the sort of press Disney wants to see for SW. Also: Ron. Howard. Really? That's who you're turning to?

[beamish13]

Also: Ron. Howard. Really? That's who you're turning to?

Well, beyond the Lucasfilm production Willow, Howard was asked to direct Episodes II and III.
He might not be viewed as an auteur with a lot of interesting ideas, but he's known for adhering to given budgets and can deliver the product they expect by the deadline Disney set.

[mfunk9786]

Also, something tells me that Howard can package some of the same creative ideas that were already planned out in a way that is more easily digestible for a grizzled industry vet like Kennedy merely based on his being Ron Howard instead of a couple of outspoken whippersnappers - so it would be an easier pivot and they'd probably be able to use some of the footage they've already got.

At any rate, if it gets to the point where these films aren't hitting the release dates they're aiming for, something tells me Disney's not going to tolerate it much longer. There's no way Lord and Miller were going to deliver some sort of disastrously misguided film, so there's likely some within Disney who are wondering why they couldn't have just been left the fuck alone until they were finished.

[domino harvey]

Remember in 2001 when movie industry sentiment was that Howard was "owed" an Oscar, ignoring that the also winless Robert Altman was also nominated for Best Director that year? The moral is, Hollywood loves Ron Howard, though I don't know if he'd want such a thankless job like this

[beamish13]

Remember in 2001 when movie industry sentiment was that Howard was "owed" an Oscar, ignoring that the also winless Robert Altman was also nominated for Best Director that year? The moral is, Hollywood loves Ron Howard, though I don't know if he'd want such a thankless job like this

More commercial cachet? Many of his films from the past 15 years have underperformed (Inferno) or outright bombed (In the Heart of the Sea and what is probably his best work, The Missing)

[Finch]

I'm still flabbergasted at the fact that this happened in the first place: regardless of whether it was Kennedy or Kasdan or both of them, it just beggars my belief that a) given how irreverent Lord and Miller are, that Kennedy and Kasdan didn't give that a second thought BEFORE hiring these guys and b) didn't raise the red flag until after allegedly 80-90% of the film was already in the can? I don't know about you but this sort of thing usually loses you your job in other industries, especially when you've already had trouble on your previous spin off?

To be honest, my interest in the film would have been low even if this had been a happy production (young Han Solo stories? how exciting!) but with Ron Howard, it's going to be a total bore.

What would interest me is a story with whole new characters and stories with no link to the old films, and different genres, too. A SW detective story/whodunit or a horror film even, but it's not going to happen when you fork over $4bn.

[mfunk9786]

Peter Debruge wrote a really interesting defense of Lord and Miller in Variety

One notable paragraph focuses on this forum's favorite director:

Want to know why Trevorrow was picked to direct “Jurassic World” when his only previous credit was a nifty little sci-fi indie called “Safety Not Guaranteed”? It’s because he plays well with others, willing to follow exec producer Steven Spielberg’s lead when necessary. Going in to the assignment, Trevorrow had no experience directing complicated action sequences or overseeing massive-budget special effects. He didn’t need it, because those aspects of the movie were delegated to seasoned heads of department, while Trevorrow focused on what he does best: handling the interpersonal chemistry between the lead characters. (Personally, I hold Trevorrow responsible for the decision to film Bryce Dallas Howard running in high heels, but not the turducken-like gag where a giant CG monosaur rises up to swallow the pterodactyl that’s eating Bryce’s assistant. Surely someone else oversaw that nearly-all-digital sequence.)

[domino harvey]

The majority of comments I've read elsewhere echo the same thing, Finch: audiences weren't interested in a straight story of Young Han Solo and Lord and Miller were the only reason they remained optimistic. Apparently the film is Kasdan's passion project and was conceived as something of a gift for him and his son, so I understand why the producers chose their side over the directors, but given the overwhelming negative response to this decision, you really gotta wonder if that regret has set in yet

[Finch]

One thing I'll say is that while I didn't like the Lego movie all that much, I've got huge respect for Lord and Miller to stand up to Kennedy and Kasdan and say, well, if we don't get to make the movie our way, we'll walk.

[bearcuborg]

I believe they were fired.

On the plus side, I'll always be able say I've never seen a Lord and Miller movie.

[Finch]

They may have been fired but only because they weren't willing to compromise their ideas and working methods.

[knives]

I believe they were fired.

On the plus side, I'll always be able say I've never seen a Lord and Miller movie.

Too bad. Admittedly they are basically B-list Edgar Wright, but their films are fun and smart with a good sense on interpersonal dynamics and theme. Their cancelled too soon show Clone High is also pretty funny.

[bearcuborg]

I believe they were fired.

On the plus side, I'll always be able say I've never seen a Lord and Miller movie.

Too bad. Admittedly they are basically B-list Edgar Wright, but their films are fun and smart with a good sense on interpersonal dynamics and theme. Their cancelled too soon show Clone High is also pretty funny.

Next...on a very special Criterion Forum, Bearcuborg stands corrected.

Well Knives, I er-ah...take it back. That show is so funny, I own the Canadian DVD.

[knives]

I guess this came to a nice conclusion for everyone then.

[MoonlitKnight]

I adore Silverado. Seeing a 70mm blowup print last year was a really tremendous experience. Body Heat is a
fine work, if derivative. I Love You to Death is highly amusing. Accidental Tourist is beautiful; like Green Card,
and example of the low-key comedy that Hollywood won't make anymore.

So much has been made of the Big Chill/Secaucus 7 connection, but I think Grand Canyon/City of Hope
have even more in common, and it really reveals Kasdan's failings as a social observer.

I still can't help but feel Kasdan was by and large drafted purely for ceremonial purposes for TFA, i.e. to further pander to OT-only fans; never mind he hasn't done anything remotely of merit since 1999's "Mumford," arguably.

I'll give credit to R1 for at least adding some new elements to the SW universe (something which had been done in each subsequent outing in which Lucas had a hand) -- despite said concepts bit being seen anywhere else in the OT , but TFA's blatant retreading of everything that came before it makes it considerably problematic.

[domino harvey]

Ron Howard has been confirmed as director of the Han Solo movie. That was awfully quick, whattayawanna bet Kennedy didn't fire Lord and Miller before talking to Howard first?

[mfunk9786]

Lost some respect for Howard here. Say what you will about his work, but he's always seemed to have a sincere level of respect for other artists despite his own very studio-friendly approach.

[Ribs]

THR has a piece up about how exactly this whole situation might be reconciled credits-wise, but fails to provide a definitive solution. Would the DGA show solidarity with Lord and Miller and lobby for a pseudonym, or just bow over to Disney?

[knives]

Outlaw Josey Wales was the last time something like this happened on a big picture, right?