Bryce Dallas Howard could be the director Star Wars is looking for, following her success handling both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Better known for her onscreen roles in The Help and Jurassic World, Bryce Dallas Howard has been making increasingly notable splashes as a director. Aside from her critically acclaimed feature-length debut Dads, Howard parked herself behind the camera for two popular installments of The Mandalorian (season 1's "Sanctuary" and season 2's "The Heiress"), and more recently returned for The Book of Boba Fett episode 5, "Return of the Mandalorian." Earning plaudits for all three, fans are now calling for Howard to direct a future Star Wars movie.

Star Wars hasn't experienced much joy in Hollywood of late - especially when it comes to directors. You'd have to consider 2016's Rogue One (Gareth Edwards) the last time a director left the galaxy far, far away without a trail of controversy behind him. Rian Johnson divided audiences with The Last Jedi, while Solo and The Rise of Skywalker (or Dual of the Fates) both fired their original directors during production. Those troubles haven't been struck down with the sequel trilogy either - they've only become more powerful, as reports from late 2021 cite the old "creative differences" arising between Patty Jenkins and Lucasfilm over the upcoming Rogue Squadron. Bryce Dallas Howard could be the answer to Disney's Star Wars director troubles.

Related: Every Mandalorian Character In Book of Boba Fett Episode 5

Howard's work on The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett accentuates both the fun and the gravity of Star Wars in equal measure. When Din Djarin packs his many, many weapons into a jobsworth port droid's luggage case in The Book of Boba Fett, Howard's point-of-view shots amplify the comedy. Lest we forget, it was also she who gave us the iconic shot of Grogu drinking his tiny cup of soupy-soup while Djarin wrestled Cara Dune. But those humorous flourishes are tempered by some of the best Star Wars action sequences on Disney+. The Seven Samurai-style Sorgan battle in The Mandalorian season 1, and Din Djarin's rip-roaring flight through Boonta Eve's podrace track stand toe-to-toe with any skirmish or chase sequence from Star Wars' Disney big screen output. The sequel trilogy grappled clumsily with this marriage of comedy and severity - The Last Jedi accused of being too dark, the comedy of The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker widely panned as corny.

Din Djarin elevator scene in Book of Boba Fett

Each of Bryce Dallas Howard's Star Wars offerings carries the look and feel of something George Lucas could've made - but with a modern newness that avoids coming across as derivative, or even overtly nostalgic. That's an art Disney has struggled to nail with its Star Wars movies thus far, with The Force Awakens' biggest criticism being how closely it copies A New Hope, and The Last Jedi hounded for deviating too far from the values of Star Wars. Bryce Dallas Howard's Star Wars TV episodes have shown distinct familiarity (the Akira Kurosawa influence of "Sanctuary," the Clone Wars flavor of "The Heiress."), but her direction finds fresh ways to depict those retro inspirations. For proof, look no further than the gorgeous, immersive one-take shot where Din Djarin delivers a bounty's decapitated head to a client in The Book of Boba Fett.

Understanding Star Wars' past is one thing - and given how Bryce Dallas Howard grew up around George Lucas, we perhaps shouldn't be surprised how well she grasps his franchise - but understanding how to make Star Wars vibrant for a new audience without compromising on authenticity is entirely another, and Howard's direction achieves that delicate balance. Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy has spoken openly about her desire to bring balance to the Force of Star Wars directors, providing more opportunities for women behind the camera. While Patty Jenkins may or may not direct Rogue Squadron, Disney would be remiss not to make the most of having Bryce Dallas Howard's talents - especially since the franchise's behind-the-scenes directorial merry-go-round reveals more drama than the Skywalker family photo album.

More: The Mandalorian's New Ship Subtly Sets Up The Perfect Grogu Return