<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $250 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $172.7 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Solo: A Star Wars Story, or simply Solo, is a 2018 American space Western film based on the Star Wars character Han Solo . Directed by Ron Howard, it was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and is the second of the Star Wars anthology films following 2016's Rogue One . A stand - alone installment set prior to the events of A New Hope, it explores the early adventures of Han Solo and Chewbacca, who also meet a young Lando Calrissian, as they are involved in a heist within the criminal underworld . The film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Solo, alongside Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller - Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany . </P> <P> George Lucas began development on a young Han Solo film in 2012 . Lucas commissioned Lawrence Kasdan to write the screenplay, and Kasdan was later joined by his son, Jonathan . Principal photography began in January 2017 at Pinewood Studios, under the direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller . The pair left the project in June 2017 after reportedly being fired over "creative differences" with Lucasfilm, and Howard took over directing duties . With an estimated budget of at least $250 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made . </P>

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