From Skeptic to Director: Ron Howard's Star Wars Journey

In the early 1970s, a young actor named Ron Howard was introduced to George Lucas' vision for a new science fiction film called Star Wars. At the time, Howard was skeptical of the concept, which Lucas described as "a kind of Flash Gordon movie but with better special effects." Howard recalled his initial reaction: "And I thought it was a pretty terrible idea. Sci-fi was really a B-minus genre."

Despite his doubts, Howard went on to develop a decades-long personal and professional connection with Lucas. When Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1977, Howard came to understand the genius of Lucas' vision. Lucas even considered Howard to direct the fantasy film Willow in the 1980s.

Fast forward 30 years, and Howard found himself coming full circle. In 2018, he was brought in to direct Solo: A Star Wars Story, the 10th live-action entry in the franchise, after the original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were fired. Although Solo ended up as the lowest-grossing Star Wars film and the series' first flop, it marked a significant moment for Howard, who had gone from being a skeptic to sitting in the director's chair of a Star Wars movie.

Howard recalled Lucas visiting the set of Solo, a rare occurrence, as a show of support. "He was really complimentary," Howard said. "But he was also really confident when I came in that I would get the feel of it and understand how to maximize the entertainment value of these characters and this world."

Lucas' reactions to other recent Star Wars projects have varied. He was supportive of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, considering it one of his favorite things to come out of the franchise. However, he was disappointed with The Force Awakens, feeling it lacked new elements. Lucas was more positive about The Last Jedi, calling it "beautifully made," and he loved Rogue One, sharing his enthusiasm with director Gareth Edwards.

Ron Howard's journey from Star Wars skeptic to director encapsulates the enduring appeal and evolution of the franchise over the decades. Despite initial doubts, Howard became an integral part of the Star Wars universe, with George Lucas'fan, sayssupport and confidence in his abilities. As the franchise continues to expand with new films and series, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Star Wars and the filmmakers who will shape its destiny.