Han Solo is getting his own Star Wars movie

Harrison Ford and George Lucas made him a classic cinema hero - now the directors of The Lego Movie are reintroducing Han Solo for a new generation.

Lucasfilm today confirmed that Bafta winners Phil Lord and Chris Miller will helm the currently untitled Han Solo movie.

It will be the second spin-off movie in the revived Star Wars franchise, and will see a new actor take on the iconic role.

Miller and Lord have built an impressive resume since their big-screen debut Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

They have since helmed both 21 and 22 Jump Street and are writing scripts for Flash and animated Spider-Man movies.

Speaking of their new roles, the duo said it's the least risky film they have done.

"This is the first film we've worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with. We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us.

"This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you're late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you've loved since before you can remember having dreams at all."

Lawrence Kadsan, who has co-written three Stars Wars films, will write the screenplay alongside his son Jon.

Details such as casting are scarce for the Han Solo film, though it will revolve around events before he became the "smuggler, thief and scoundrel" we first encountered in A New Hope.

It is set to be released in May 2018. Star Wars: The Force Awakens premieres December 17, where Harrison Ford will feature once again as Solo.

- nzherald.co.nz