20 Things You Didn't Know About Solo: A Star Wars Story

13. Ron Howard Previously Turned Down An Offer To Direct The Phantom Menace

Solo A Star Wars Story Han Chewbacca
Lucasfilm

More than 20 years before Ron Howard stepped in to finish Solo, he was offered the opportunity to helm another Star Wars movie.

Back when George Lucas was writing Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, he intended for a trusted fellow filmmaker to take the directing reins, offering the job to Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, and then Howard himself.

Each of the three graciously rejected the offer - because, in Howard's words, it would simply be "too daunting" - while advising Lucas to direct the prequel himself.

The Phantom Menace and its follow-ups are what they are, but it's impossible not to try and imagine what they might've been with Zemeckis, Spielberg, or Howard in the driver's seat instead.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.