WithStar Wars: The Force Awakenscurrently shreddingbox officerecords left and right, fan interest in this beloved franchise has never been higher. Production is still under way on the first spinoffRogue One: A Star Wars Story, which hits theaters this December, with filming starting soon onStar Wars: Episode VIII, in theaters May 2017. After those two adventures arrive,Star Wars Anthology: Han Solois set to debut in May 2018, which offers new insight into the iconicHan Solocharacter, set 10 years beforeStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Today,Varietyreports that Disney and LucasFilm are close to finding the actor who will play the young Han Solo, with the short list narrowed down to approximately a dozen candidates.
These contenders who have made the cut includeMiles Teller,Ansel Elgort,Dave Franco,Jack Reynor,Scott Eastwood,Logan Lerman,Emory Cohenand Blake Jenner. Last month, a report revealed that the studio had tested over 2,500 actors for the iconic role, with others such asChandler Riggs,Rami Malek,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Nick Robinson,Leo Howard, Tony Oller,Landon Liboiron,Ed Westwick,Tom Felton, Joshua Sasse,Colton HaynesandMax Thieriotalso trying out. This is the first we’re hearing aboutScott Eastwood,Emory Cohenand Blake Jenner trying out for the role, since they weren’t mentioned in the December report.
The Star Wars Anthology: Han Solo spinoff will focus on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whomLuke SkywalkerandObi-Wan Kenobifirst encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.Phil LordandChris Miller(The Lego Movie) are directing from a script co-written byLawrence Kasdan(Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and his sonJon Kasdan(In the Land of Women). Production isn’t expected to begin until January 2017, but the site reports there is a good reason why they wanted to cast this iconic character so soon.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is set betweenStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SithandStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, still has over one month of shooting left, and there are rumors that this new Han Solo may have a cameo appearance in the first spinoff, before appearing in his own movie. That has not yet been confirmed, but whoever plays the new Han Solo would be “age-appropriate” for an appearance in this spinoff. DirectorsPhil LordandChris Millerare said to start testing this group of actors, with a final decision expected to be made in the next two weeks.
Disney and LucasFilm are now focusing on actors between the age of 20 and 25 for this coveted role. All of the aforementioned actors fit within this age range, except for 29-year-oldScott Eastwood. The studio previously tested actors between the ages of 17 and 34, but now it has narrowed the age range. Do you think any of these actors have what it takes to play a young Han Solo?
