Harrison Ford‘s Han Solo has long been a fan favourite in the “Star Wars” universe, but longtime fans would know that the actor was never really a big fan of his own role.
Even though the role launched his career, Ford would explain in one interview that the smuggler-turned-hero “was not so interesting” to him.
Of course, with his roguish charm, his legion of devoted fans certainly didn’t think that the character was uninteresting.
After Ford was lured back to reprise the role in J.J. Abrams‘ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens“, Disney and Lucasfilm decided to focus on the smuggler’s backstory by announcing that a Han Solo standalone movie is in the works.
Yup. It means that the movie will essentially remove Ford from the film series as they plan to focus on a young Han Solo.
Following the success of “The LEGO Movie” franchise, Christopher Miller and Phil Lord are on board to helm the Han Solo movie.
The film will focus on “how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley”.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, over 2,500 actors have apparently had auditions or meetings-related to the project. Jeanne McCarthy, the casting director for Miller and Lord’s “21 Jump Street” movies”, was attached to narrow down the casting choices for the film.
We could be meeting our new Han Solo soon, as sources told Variety the casting choices were narrowed down to a dozen actors.
Sources told the trade the actors who are on shortlist include Miles Teller (“Fantastic Four“), Ansel Elgort (“The Fault In Our Stars“), Dave Franco, Logan Lerman, Jack Reynor (“Transformers: Age of Extinction“), Scott Eastwood (“Suicide Squad“), Emory Cohen (“Brooklyn”), and Blake Jenner (“Everybody Wants Some“).
Though Anthony Ingruber played a younger version of Ford’s character in “Age of Adaline“, there was no mention of him being auditioned for the Han Solo role.
Kennedy, Lord, and Miller will begin testing the shortlisted actors and the decision is expected to be made within the next few weeks. The film will only begin shooting in January 2017, but sources close to the studios said that filmmakers are eager to lock down a lead due to another “Star Wars” film.
While it’s not confirmed, rumour has it that the studios will introduce the young Han Solo via a small cameo in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story“. The film, which is set between “Episode III” and “Episode IV”, has about one month of shooting left. If the rumour is true, it will mark the new Han Solo’s first appearance before starring in his own standalone film.
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is due to be released on 16th December 2016 while he Han Solo standalone movie is slated for release on 25th May 2018.
While it’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping into Ford’s iconic role, which actor do you think should play the young Han Solo? Do you think they should cast a lesser known actor? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.
Sources: Variety, THR / Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
