Kathleen Kennedy | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

The upcoming Han Solo spinoff movie will need to find a new director after Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were let go as co-directors due to creative differences with Lucasfilm.

Lucasfilm president and Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy released a statement on StarWars.com to announce the news.

“Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are talented filmmakers who have assembled an incredible cast and crew, but it’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways. A new director will be announced soon,” she said.

Phil and Chris previously co-directed the movies 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

“Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project. We normally aren’t fans of the phrase ‘creative differences’ but for once this cliché is true. We are really proud of the amazing and world-class work of our cast and crew,” the guys said in a statement.

Alden Ehrenreich is playing a young Han Solo in the movie, which has already begun production. The May 2018 release date will not change despite the directorial change.

Carrie Fisher will not appear in Star Wars: Episode IX, despite her brother Todd‘s recent claim.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy made the unfortunate announcement during an interview with ABC News, explaining that Todd was “confused.”

“Sadly, Carrie will not be in nine. But we will see a lot of Carrie in eight,” Kathleen said.

Todd previously said that he had given Disney permission to use recent footage of Carrie for the ninth film, but it looks like this is not the case.

Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to hit theater May 23, 2019.

The cast of Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Mark Hamill, Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley attend the panel for the movie during the 2017 Star Wars Celebration at Orange County Convention Center on Friday (April 14) in Orlando, Fla.

Director Rian Johnson, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy and panel moderator Josh Gad were also in attendance. At the panel, the cast was asked some questions about where the characters are in the new movie.

John was asked at the panel if Finn’s friendship with Poe would continue to blossom. He said, “Absolutely… Poe’s my boy. There’s always a new adventure for them to go on.”

“In The Last Jedi, it’s a test for all the characters, but specifically for Finn. He wants to find his place now,” John continued. “Is he going to be a part of the Resistance or is he going to keep running away from the First Order? We’ll see.”

Kelly was asked about her new character during the panel as well. “My character’s name is Rose. She’s part of the Resistance. And she works in maintenance, and I just can’t wait for you to meet her,” she said.

“To a certain extent it’s not Luke’s story anymore. But I think he’s an important part to the overall arc of the saga and again, there’s a lot of mystery about him, even within the film. You have to fill in your own backstory,” Mark added.

If you missed it, watch the first teaser trailer for the movie!

Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill pose for a cute photo with Peter Mayhew while reuniting at the 2017 Star Wars Celebration on Thursday afternoon (April 13) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The actors played the roles of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca, respectively, in the film franchise.

Also in attendance for the “40 Years of Star Wars” panel were Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), and Warwick Davis (Wicket), along with director George Lucas and producer Kathleen Kennedy.

Carrie Fisher‘s daughter Billie Lourd made an appearance for the panel’s finale to pay tribute to her late mother. Legendary composer John Williams conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra while they played “Leia’s Theme” during the touching moment.

Disney and Lucasfilm have released statements following the passing of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Disney CEO Bob Iger both spoke of Carrie‘s immense talent and how special she made the Star Wars saga.

“Carrie Fisher was one-of-a-kind, a true character who shared her talent and her truth with us all with her trademark wit and irreverence. Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans as well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally,” Bob wrote.

He added, “She will be sorely missed, and we join millions of fans and friends around the world who mourn her loss today.”

On behalf of Lucasfilm, Kathleen said, “Carrie holds such special place in the hearts of everyone at Lucasfilm it is difficult to think of a world without her. She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart,”

“Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role as Princess Leia served as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere. We will miss her dearly,” she concluded.

The highly anticipated movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is about to hit theaters and something fans will want to know is if a sequel is in the works!

Well, the movie’s creative team is speaking out about plans for more films in the franchise.

Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm and the producer of the movie, told Empire magazine that there will NOT be a sequel to Rogue One.

Gareth Edwards, the director of Rogue One, says that a “sequel will be directed by George Lucas,” referring to the movie Star Wars: A New Hope. As you probably know, Rogue One is a prequel to the Episode IV.

The upcoming movie is a war film and fans are speculating that not many of the characters, possibly even Felicity Jones‘ Jyn Erso, will survive in the end. We will have to wait until the movie is released on December 16 to find out!

Want more news on Rogue One and Star Wars? We’ve got you covered:

• MOVIE TICKETS: You can now purchase your advance Rogue One tickets!
• HAN SOLO MOVIE: The female lead in the upcoming film has been selected!
• EW COVER: Get some scoop on the upcoming movie!

Pictured inside: Felicity and her co-star Diego Luna attending a SiriusXM Town Hall Special on Entertainment Weekly Radio on Tuesday (November 29) in New York City.

FYI: Diego is wearing Paige jeans.

The Death Star rises on the new teaser poster for the upcoming movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is set to hit theaters on December 16.

The poster was unveiled alongside a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel during the Star Wars celebration held on Friday (July 15) in London, England.

The cast of the movie – Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, and John Knoll – along with director Gareth Edwards and producer Kathleen Kennedy chatted with fans about the highly anticipated movie.

“Jyn is not a character who’s asking, ‘Where am I and where do I come from?’” Felicity said about her character. “We know where she comes from and that fact is what propels the story.”

She added that Jyn’s journey is “to find her reason and her cause.”

The Force Awakens star Gwendoline Christie was on hand to moderate the panel!