Last year, we learned that a huge slate of Star Wars-themed sequels, prequels and spin-offs were in the pipeline at Disney. One of the biggest projects was a combo prequel/spinoff, featuring the story of a pre-New Hope Han Solo. This is not going to be a straight up origin story with Han Solo’s childhood! The focus was always going to be on Han Solo as a 20-something dude, what he was up to before he met Luke Skywalker. The casting call went far and wide, and eventually Disney had the list culled to a who’s who of “really?” The shortlist featured names like Miles Teller, Scott Eastwood, Alden Ehrenreich, Logan Lerman, Emory Cohen and Ansel Elgort. The list was culled even further back in March, and now industry sources say that Disney has finally found their Young Solo: 26-year-old Alden Ehrenreich.
After thousands of actors were considered to portray a younger Han Solo for a “Star Wars” spinoff, Alden Ehrenreich has landed the coveted role. Hollywood sources tell us Ehrenreich has signed on to play the iconic role, made famous by Harrison Ford, in the new movie, slated for 2018, which will focus on Solo before he joined the Rebel Alliance.
One insider told us of Ehrenreich, 26, who most recently appeared in “Hail, Caesar!”: “Alden really impressed Disney and Lucasfilm execs with his screen tests. The deal is basically done.”
Relatively little-known Ehrenreich — who’s also the lead in Warren Beatty’s upcoming, untitled Howard Hughes project with Fox — beat out candidates including “Divergent” stars Miles Teller and Ansel Elgort, Scott Eastwood, “Kingsman” and “Eddie the Eagle” star Taron Egerton, and “Sing Street” star Jack Reynor. The casting of the Han Solo character has been so shrouded in secrecy it was named “Project Red Cup,” in reference to the ubiquitous red plastic Solo cups.
The film won’t start shooting until January, but reports are that the early casting is because the new Solo will have a cameo in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which is now shooting. That film is said to be set between “Episode III” and “Episode IV.” Reps for Ehrenreich didn’t get back to us.
I thought Rogue One was already in the can, but maybe not if they’re giving themselves time to film a quickie cameo with the new Solo. As for this choice… I don’t hate it. Alden is probably one of the best choices from the shortlist they had. He’s attractive (very much so), boyish, but with a slight bad-boy vibe that is desperately needed for Han Solo.
I wanted to hear his voice, so I looked up some interviews and… this kid is CUTE. He has a really sexy smile. Nice voice too.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Terrible. The young Han Solo is Anthony Ingruber who played a younger Harrison Ford in the Age of Adaline. Everyone who knows anything about that movie has been vouching for him to get the role. He looks like him and talks like him. He would have been perfect.
Yes, seriously! I haven’t seen Age of Adeline but that kid actually looks like Han Solo and in pictures of him has a similar cocky/charming vibe to Harrison Ford. This guy they picked just doesn’t look like Han at all…
I remember seeing the trailer for Age of Adaline and seriously thinking that had CGI’d Harrison Ford to look younger.
OMG, you are so right!!! Anthony Ingruber in The Age of Adeline is like Harrison Ford’s double. He sounds just like him. The facial features, the smile, everything!! I don’t know why they didn’t cast him!
http://i.imgur.com/NjzeasI.jpg
You’re right – he would be a great young Han.
Maybe the actor, himself (or his management), doesn’t want to get typecast as “Young Harrison Ford”…not that that would necessarily be a terrible thing. I mean, there are endless possibilities for prequels and remakes from HF’s repertoire.
Anthony was working hard on twitter to get this role. He retweeted almost all fan requests for him in the role. And I believe he confirmed doing an audition…but it does not sound like he made it to the final rounds, I don’t know.
Well then, I certainly feel badly for him, now that I know he wanted the role.
I think Alden will do a nice job of it. And, as someone else pointed out, thank goodness the role didn’t go to Miles Teller.
I just looked Anthony Ingruber up because I had never heard of him, and I just watched a video of him doing a Han Solo impersonation, and you’re right, he looks and sounds just like a young Harrison Ford. It’s amazing! Too bad he didn’t get the part.
With that said, Alden E (who I’ve also never heard of) is a cutie and does have a nice voice. Hopefully he’ll do the role justice, and he is a much better choice compared to the others on the shortlist.
I just looked at it and it actually turned me off him for Han Solo. He totally looks and sounds like Harrison Ford, but the impression seemed bad to me. Some people do impressions and they’re utterly convincing even when they don’t remotely look like the person (maybe especially if they don’t resemble the person). I felt like this guy was skating on a fortuitous physical resemblance, but didn’t actually have the acting chops to pull it off. Idk – at least it wasn’t Miles Teller.
I don’t think the choice has to be strictly about the actor being physically similar to Ford. Alden is a great choice because not only he’s charismatic and good looking but the kid CAN act. He stole the show in Hail Cesar. And He can carry the franchise for many years from now on.
I watched Age of Adeline and yup he looks and sounds like Ford. The movie was pretty good too. I actually watched it for Michel Huisman.
That was my first thought as I read this as well…why on earth wouldn’t they have gotten Anthony Ingruber? He would have been the perfect choice.
Looked up Michel Huisman – dude! What were they thinking, not casting that guy… he looks JUST LIKE Ford!
Alden kind of looks like Seth MacFarlane’s hot younger brother.
Just because actor looks like someone does not mean they are the best. I would assume Disney did not want a impersonator but someone who would make the role their own.
At least it’s not Miles Teller.
omg I came here to make that exact comment! lol
I would’ve been so annoyed if it had been him. ugh
My first thought too!
Or Scott Eastwood. Or Ansel Elgort. I don’t know this guy at all, but he has to be better than those guys.
Given how perfect the casting was for The Force Awakens, I think they’ve probably made the right choice. Though unless the cloned Ford himself, I don’t think people were going to be happy with whoever ended up being cast.
That’s my thought too. So glad it was not Miles, Scott, Dave Franco or the others mentioned.
Alden looks older than 26 to me. I’m okay with his casting and I would have been okay with Taron’s casting too.
The trailer is going to have to knock me out for me to want to see this though.
If the trailer for this is as good as the Rogue One (which I think is going to leave TFA in the dust) , then I will happily see this movie.
It’s the salt and pepper in his hair. So young to have that garnish hair, but men can get away with just some color dye.
Miles Teller has jerk face written all over him at all times so no he can’t be Solo.
Yep or Scott Eastwood.
I doubt the Rogue One thing is true as it takes place almost directly before A New Hope when he’s already “Harrison Ford”. This movie, to make any sense, should be at least a decade earlier. I hope they’re not that stupid but we will see.
This was the choice that offended me the least so good luck I guess.
@Brea exactltly !
He is handsome and a little “frumpy” and above all not cute and baby faced. I am OK with this choice.
Right? I also love that a big franchise dares to cast a newcommer. That’s how it always should be.
Marvel is so much about ‘established faces’ (look at the Avengers etc.) and I like that at least the Star Wars universe welcomes new actors now in lead and important roles.
This guy has hilarious comic timing (see the entire “would that it were so simple” scene in Hail Caesar), so I’m here for this.
yes, he was the best thing about “Hail Caesar”. If he can go head to head like that in a scene with someone like Ralph Fiennes, he has my vote.
Never saw him before “Hail, Caesar” and he was LOVELY 🙂
Great choice!
Agree. He had a lot of charisma in Hail Caesar.
And I watched about half of the interview posted above and really like him.
I’m in.
Eh, none of this changes my childhood memories or old school Star Wars geekdom. Disney can’t take that from me, no matter how much they coopt, mass market, and rehash these characters.
+1000
Right there with you
You are talking like the original films were not mass marketed. Geekdom has just become more mainstream.
I haven’t seen Hail Caesar, though he does seem indeed charming, so good on him for this huge opportunity! Am slightly sad that Taron Egerton didn’t get the role – He would have also been brilliant… I started watching a few YouTube clips of Taron a few weeks ago and am now harboring a full-on crush on this lad.
He stole Hail, Caesar from all the bigger names, so, yeah, it might work.
I have no idea who he is, so maybe I should check out Hail Ceasar.
Their take-offs on Golden Age Hollywood films in the fifties are great. See it.
He looks 10 years older than his age.
Agreed. That’s a hard 26.
he looks like a suburban soccer dad
He’s nowhere near as handsome as Harrison Ford was in Stsr Wars, so I’m going the meh option on this one.
Same. Huge meh.
Double huge meh.
I don’t dislike him as an actor. I’ve only seen him in Beautiful Creatures, but he just doesn’t fit the Han Solo character that H. Ford established. For one his voice is all wrong. It’s not deep and has a higher tenor than Harrison’s whose voice was more earthy and broader resonating. Harrison, like his voice, was bigger over all, taller and just plane sexy without have to do anything but wear clothes. He just had an impressive body and stature, and yet still relatable.
I know they can’t just find an exact replicate of H. Ford that can act and have enough charisma to sell the character, but I think they went too far off the mark with Alden. And no he’s not that good looking, certainly no where near the level of looks Ford had. Solo was the cocky, handsome, hunk hero of SW. I know Alden can be good at being cocky and funny, but he doesn’t have enough of the rest. I can see him as young Luke perhaps before I can see him as Solo.
I also thought he was the best option among those in contention. My quibble with nearly all of them, however, is that they’re significantly shorter than Harrison Ford. Solo spends a lot of time with Wookies and Huts. It’s going to be hard to miss that he shrunk.
I actually looked this up out of curiosity. He’s Luke’s height basically!
Well….I guess they can cast shorter Wookies? 😉
It’s amazing how short many actors are. I think Harrison may be taller than average for the actor population.
+1
I’m more inclined to have gone with Egerton, but he’s not good looking enough either to play Solo. They don’t have to cast a complete pretty boy, but surely they could find a closer fit that these guys with charisma and acting abilities for an action film.
Meh but it could have been a lot worse (MT.) Not familiar with him. Will wait and hope for the best.
All I wanted was that it wasn’t Miles Teller. Han Solo cannot be handed to that douche
I liked him in “Hail Caesar”, so I don’t hate this at all. Especially given that list of the other top candidates.
At least it’s not Scott Eastwood.
Well at least Scott Eastwood is man candy. Turn down the volume and just watch him. Hahah
Seriously, let us praise Jeebus that it wasn’t Miles Teller. I know a lot of the comments have said it before me but honestly, I just want to add on.
+1
I’m so so happy it’s not Miles or Ansel Elgort!
He was ok in Hail Caesar but I don’t see Han when I look at him. I may have been OK with Taron, who killed in Kingsman and has that cocky, devil may care attitude. This guy seems a decent actor but that’s not enough. Truly, anyone they chose would face an uphill battle to convince people that he can replace Ford, who is irreplaceable.
+1000
Not a bad choice, though he doesn’t seem ‘that’ young compared to the Han Solo of the first star wars movies..
I suspect they figure that sense he’s shorter that will represent youth.
The OG Han Solo is my co-pilot. So I’m not thrilled with this. But at least it isn’t Miles Teller.
Maybe he’s a good actor….but he doesnt look anything like Harrison Ford.
+1
He was absolutely the best part of Hail Caeser (aside from Scarlet Johansson accent and Channing Tatum dancing). So very cute and charming. I think he will make a great Han Solo.
I like this actor and think he will do a great job with the role.
Ugh, Taron Egerton would have been so much better!
I agree. Taron has a good expressive face for the role. Maybe he couldn’t nail an American accent? I assume he’s naturally British after Kingsmen. Too lazy to google
I bet they’re afraid to cast another Brit as an American in a Major lead role in the SW franchise after the two leads of Force Awakens both being Brits.
+1
I wondered when this guy was going to show up again. He was in the forgetful movie Beautiful Creatures (trust me, don’t bother to watch it’s that bad). He has that Jack Nicholson smile Although I agree that Anthony Ingruber is a dead ringer for a young Harrison Ford, he must not have impressed Disney.
Jack Nicolson smile turns me off. It comes across as evil or dirty old man. Sorry I never found Nicolson charming and if this guy has that smile, I’m definitely not interested.
+1
The character Han Solo is 30 years old in episode IV.
This guy already looks older than Harrison Ford did. What’s the point of a YOUNG Han Solo movie if the actor and/or character is going to be the same age that Harrison was (and less charismatic)??
@Michelle- I watched Beautiful Creatures too, and agree with your take on the movie- what a waste of talent that was!
This young man can act, so no fears on that score? Who are they going to cast as the young Chewie?😏
I think they figure that since he’s shorter than HFord, that will read as a young Han Solo.
26? Ok sure.
It’s not Ansel Elgort so yay!!! He’s really cute.
If someone told me he was in his early 40s, I’d believe it. He’s like the male Margot Robbie in terms of actual age not seeming to match the face.
I can’t help it but I think of Norm Macdonald every time I see his face.
Well that’s a mood killer.
I actually would’ve preferred Miles Teller. I know he’s persona non grata around here, but he has the right attitude. This is going to be a pointless mess that no one asked for anyway, so it doesn’t actually matter too much.
Nope not down with this casting. Eyes are too small and squinty. Yes I’m comparing him with the much beloved Harrison Ford. Harrison Ford really had the snarky twinkle in the eye thing down. Not sure about this guy.
Harrison has the IT factor, this one doesn’t
Happy for him. He’s so talented
I don’t understand why this prequel is necessary. He doesn’t really look like Han Solo/Harrison Ford at all. Further, wasn’t Han Solo’s character already pretty young in Star Wars: ANH? This just doesn’t seem very believable to me.
I just fell in love with Emory Cohen last night when I watched Brooklyn for the first time, so I’m really excited to see him in more things. Too bad this isn’t one of the things….although I’m not sure he would’ve been right for the role either.
If they don’t nail the meeting between Han & Chewie (and the camaraderie) I’ll pull the ears off a gundark.
I think 172sm height is too short for Indiana Jones.
Nope. Won’t be seeing this one. He may be an awesome actor, but some resemblance to Harrison is necessary for me to see or accept a new Han.