Star Wars spin-offs axed after Solo ‘flop’? Ron Howard speaks out on rumours

The film-maker helmed Solo: A Star Wars Story, which achieved generally positive reviews and audience reactions but failed to generate the big numbers Disney and LucasFilm have come to expect from the franchise.

Speaking to TMZ, Howard said: “I don’t think it’s entirely accurate [to say all spin-offs are cancelled].

“I think that was reported but I don’t think that’s right.”

He added: “Everybody at LucasFilm and Disney really cares about the fans, so I think it’s an ongoing process of discovering what it can be and what it can add up to.

“It’s a process and I like the fact that, personally, they take some chances, take some risks and see how people respond to it.”

Howard also played down the notion that Solo was a disaster.

“This movie did really well for me,” he said. “I had a great time.

“I had a great experience and exit polls were great and reaction was terrific and among fans.”

However he conceded: “The economic side of it was not what everybody was looking for.”

Other Star Wars films that have been rumoured to be in the works include standalone stories for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Boba Fett, as well as some kind of follow-up or sequel for Solo.

Rian Johnson is also currently developing his own trilogy, after pleasing critics – if not quite all fans – with The Last Jedi.

For now, all attention at LucasFilm seems to be on JJ Abrams’ Episode 9, which is due for release in December 2019.

Yesterday it was revealed that Jumanji’s planned sequel will come out one week earlier, leading to speculation that it could pose a minor threat at the box office.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is still playing at cinemas nationwide.