Disney has tapped Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street helmers Chris Miller and Phil Lord to direct a Star Wars spin-off film that will follow the adventures of the young Han Solo in the years before he teamed up with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi to thwart the evil designs of the Empire in Episode IV.  The Empire Strikes Back screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jake are writing the script for the new Han Solo movie, which now has a release date of May 25, 2018 (see “Best in Shows--Q2 2018”).

The first Star Wars spin-off (anthology) movie, Rogue One, which Gareth Edwards is directing, will debut in theaters on December 16, 2016 (see “Male Lead Cast for Star Wars: Rogue One”).  The new Han Solo Star Wars spin-off should not be confused with the Star Wars Anthology film that Josh Trank (Fantastic Four) left recently (see “Second Star Wars Anthology Film Loses Director”). 

The film that Trank was to direct (and which is still in development) is a Boba Fett origin story—and should not be confused with the Han Solo saga that Miller and Lord are prepping for 2018.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Miller and Lord’s involvement in the Star Wars spin-off film puts their efforts on a Flash movie for Warner Bros. in serious doubt (see “The Flash Movie Treatment”).