Why Do People Love Star Wars? Interview with Director Ron Howard

What I did discover is that the reason these Star Wars movies resonate with us and we see them more than once, often, is because they entertain you in so many different ways. And I didn’t realize that as a fan. But when I was directing the scenes, I realized that’s a real challenge. You’ve got action elements. You’ve got sci-fi elements that are very particular to this galaxy, you’ve got this blend of humanity and humor and drama and then these deeper bigger …classic themes. And  it’s like playing three dimensional chess to direct these scenes. And I think when the harmonics are right, it creates this range of ways that the movies entertain you.

I recognized and respected the movies that came before me all the more when I realized how complicated it was. It was challenge but it was fun and fun to do. George Lucas had said to me “just trust your instincts.” I think you’re gonna find you’re comfortable in this film-making style. And he was right.

 I didn’t know that there was any conflict, any creative differences going on with the project at all. I hadn’t heard any of those rumors. I guess that they were out there, but I just wasn’t paying attention. And at the breakfast she asked if Larry Kasdan could come. He’s in town. She didn’t tell me why. And when I got there, John Kasdan was there as well.

When Kathleen Kennedy and the Kasdans pitched SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY to Ron Howard, he wasn’t immediately on board. He actually said NO!

And he said, look, would you ever consider coming in and taking over? And I said, well, it’s very flattering but I can’t imagine that I would. I don’t think so. And I urged them to reconsider and think about it. And they said, well they already made their decision. They were gonna make a change.

Can you believe this awesomeness almost didn’t happen?

But it was in the stars, because Ron Howard loved the story of young Han Solo and the cast:

I read the script and I was so compelled by that script. It answered the questions of what a young Han Solo’s life experiences might be that would shape him, form him, push him toward that iconic figure that we would know later. And it did in ways that surprised me. And so it was really satisfying and logical. But it also had these twists and turns that were unexpected. In my mind, and I thought, well that’s a great jumping off place.

I knew what a fantastic cast it was. And over a period of about three days, I began to weigh it and at a certain point, my wife, Cheryl { and I } we were talking about it. And she said, “I know you pretty well and I think you’re gonna be disappointed if you don’t do this.” And I thought she was right, as she most always is.

I was really moved by this man, who is so gifted and accomplished telling us how everyone else is right and wonderful, and smart. I definitely admire someone with that level of humility.

I fell into it easily. I loved the cast. Really creative, cool, young, smart cast. And I loved working with the Kasdans – believed in their story!

This story was hatched before Disney acquired Lucasfilm and came up with the business plan to do more Star Wars movies. It was a conversation that Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas had with Larry Kasdan, basically picking his brain and saying beyond the saga movies what else do you think would be interesting for fans and creatively exciting? And Larry and George just instantly felt and agreed that it was young Han Solo.

This has been a story that Larry’s been wanting to tell for a while and the studio wanted to initially commit to the saga movie, which they did. And, Larry kept saying “I really do believe in young Han Solo.” So that’s really how it happened, before there were any directors involved or anything. This story is the thing that I think everybody involved from the very beginning has wanted to give 110% to because it’s so ripe for the telling.

 

The responsibility of the cast, especially Alden Ehrenreich { was } such a daunting challenge. I knew that there would be a lot of judgement surrounding him and his performance. But he’s such a cool customer. And he wore the responsibility very well. I know it was something that really meant a lot to him.

 

I had talked to Harrison about a week ago. He had seen the movie and I had told Alden that, “Harrison really loved what you did. He respected it.” And, of course, couldn’t announce that to anybody because you can’t; no one speaks for Harrison Ford but Harrison Ford. And it was amazing today that he surprised us and showed up. And really surprised Alden.

During the interview, I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I only had one  opportunity. I asked my friend’s question about how knowing Han Solo’s fate in The Force Awakens affected he directed SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

I thought it was very powerful in that movie. And it also reflected the kind of complexity, the thematic ideas that I think give the Star Wars movies their lasting value. It’s fun. It’s playful. It’s exciting, but it also has these themes that, that are complicated and run deep. And in its own playful way, I think Solo asks some of those questions of “what’s it like in those more moral gray areas?”

And when your survival is at stake and you’re presented with choices that you might not necessarily be proud of -and it’s not just the Han Solo character, but a number of characters. This is a story about young people who are really on a quest for their freedom. And they’re struggling for that in very difficult oppressive times in a really challenging corner of the galaxy.

I think knowing the outcome gives the story of young Han Solo even more power and more weight. And I think in many ways makes you even more curious about what made, what might have made him tick, what makes him tick.

What an incredible moment. WOW. I’m getting chills again.

My loves, remember that SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theaters everywhere on May 25th, which is THIS WEEK! Saying that Ron Howard did an amazing job is kind of a “duh” moment, but I have to say it anyway!

You can follow the latest updates by visiting the official SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY site, following STAR WARS on Instagram, following STAR WARS on Twitter,  and liking STAR WARS on Facebook. Make sure you follow the conversation along with #HanSolo and #HanSoloEvent.

Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results and help others do the same. Dr. Elayna Fernández is a single mom of 4, an award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 5x TEDx speaker. She has spoken at the United Nations, received the President’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected as one of the Top Impactful Leaders and a Woman of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine. Connect with Elayna at thepositivemom.com/ef and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

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