Director Ron Howard feels bad that 'Star Wars' fans might be skipping 'Solo' because they're still angry about 'The Last Jedi'

Disney/Lucasfilm

• Director Ron Howard responded to the poor box-office performance of "Solo" on Twitter over the weekend.
• He responded to a Twitter user's tweet suggesting that some fans might be protesting the franchise because they are still upset over "The Last Jedi."
• "As a director I feel badly when people who I believe (& exit polls show) will very likely enjoy a movie ... don't see it on a big screen w/great sound," Howard tweeted.
• "Solo" is estimated to lose Disney at least $50 million and become the franchise's first movie to lose money.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" has struggled at the box office, as it's expected to lose Disney at least $50 million and become the franchise's first movie to lose money for Disney and Lucasfilm. The movie's director, Ron Howard, addressed the low audience turnout on Twitter over the weekend ("Solo" made just $15 million in its third weekend, according to Box Office Mojo).

Howard responded to a Twitter user's tweet on Sunday that "Solo" might be doing poorly at the box office because some "Star Wars" fans are protesting the franchise over "The Last Jedi."

"I've been reading so many theories as to why 'Solo' hasn't been doing so well at the box office - sad to say, some SW fans are snubbing Solo b/c they're still upset over Last Jedi," Kris Fairbanks said in the tweet. "If so, they're missing out & punishing a good film for something not its fault."

Howard quoted the tweet and said that he was "proud" of "Solo" and that fans who aren't seeing it would most likely enjoy it.

"I'm proud of #SoloAStarWarsStory and the cast & crew worked hard to give fans a fun new addition," Howard tweeted. "As a director I feel badly when people who I believe (& exit polls show) will very likely enjoy a movie ... don't see it on a big screen w/great sound."

"The Last Jedi," the latest movie in the main trilogy released in December, was a divisive movie among fans. The movie was critically acclaimed and did well at the box office, but faced an outpouring of negative feedback, as well. Some fans even petitioned for the movie to be wiped from "Star Wars" canon.

"Solo" faced troubles during production as Howard replaced original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller late into filming, which resulted in hefty reshoots. But the movie's woes have continued even after its release. Its opening weekend box office performance was well below expectations and has dropped dramatically since. Its foreign box office isn't helping, either.