Alden Ehrenreich, Taron Egerton on the short list for ‘the young Han Solo’

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Last December, The Hollywood Reporter had an interesting story about all of the Star Wars movies in development, now that Disney is steering LucasFilm. While most people are (reasonably) focused on the sequels, especially given the success of The Force Awakens, there are also prequels in the pipeline. As in, we’ll be getting movies about Han Solo, Luke and Leia before A New Hope (Episode IV). Which means that Disney has spent months doing massive casting calls for “young Han Solo.” To mixed results. Back in December, it sounded like basically every American, Irish and English actor under the age of 30 was coming in for casting tests. I said that of the existing list, Miles Teller actually sounded like one of the best candidates, but Disney isn’t listening to me. They have their own shortlist now, and it doesn’t involve Miles.

Chewie, we’re almost home. The search for the young actor who will fill Han Solo’s leather vest could be in its final stages, as multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that a shortlist quietly has emerged. According to sources, last weekend in London tests were conducted involving actors Alden Ehrenreich, who did scene-stealing work in Hail, Caesar!; Jack Reynor, best known for his work in Transformers: Age of Extinction; and Taron Egerton, the star of The Kingsman and Eddie the Eagle.

Sources say there could be a few other names on the list, though due to the high level of secrecy on all Star Wars projects, it’s hard to ascertain them. Disney declined to comment.

Those who tested — and it’s unclear if these were costume tests or screen tests — were plucked from a previous group of around 10 actors who met with the directors. Among the names whispered to have met are Miles Teller, the Whiplash star who appears in the Divergent movies; and Ansel Elgort, the Fault in Our Stars star who also is in the Divergent movies. Emory Cohen, who played Saoirse Ronan’s love interest in the Oscar-nominated Brooklyn, also tested. Actors from Richard Linklater’s new movie Everybody Wants Some also had meetings, according to sources.

Disney and Lucasfilm have searched from Alderaan to Yavin to find the new star, with sources saying that more than 2,500 actors have either met with those in charge of casting or put themselves on tape, becoming part of one of the widest casting calls ever.

[From THR]

If it’s between Alden, Jack, Taron and maybe Emory Cohen, I think Taron probably looks the most like a “young Harrison Ford,” and doesn’t Taron also give off that bad-boy vibe needed for a young Han Solo? Now, that being said, I think Alden Ehrenreich is easily the most attractive/sexiest. He’s got a great look that could go in a lot of different directions. I also loved Emory Cohen in Brooklyn, he was like a young James Dean in that movie, but I’m not sure if he can step up to this kind of production. Hm.

And in case you can’t pick these dudes out of a lineup, I’ve done some photo IDs. This is Emory Cohen (his hair is really bad here).

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This is Jack Reynor.

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Alden Ehrenreich.

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Taron Egerton.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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45 Responses to “Alden Ehrenreich, Taron Egerton on the short list for ‘the young Han Solo’”

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  1. Div says:

    Alden would be the best imo. He was great in Blue Jasmine and Hail Caesar and has a lot of range. Taron has the cockiness down though and is also a great actor…

    • SusanneToo says:

      Alden really stole Hail, Caesar. He’s good.

    • CornyBlue says:

      Both of them will kill it and considering Lord and Miller is directing this is giving me hope again

    • Ctkat1 says:

      Alden was really great in Hail Caesar, so he’s definitely got the acting chops. Taron has also been good in the two things I’ve seen him in (The kingsmen & Eddie the Eagle), so I’d understand either of them getting cast. Haven’t seen the third guy in anything. I don’t care if the actor they choose actually looks like Harrison, I care that he embodies Han Solo’s spirit.

  2. Stephanie says:

    Can we just get garrett hedlund and be done with this. Honestly non of them look good for the part.

    • Lizzie McGuire says:

      I really like Garrett Hedlund but those it have anything to do with age, maybe? Hedlund is 31 yo while the others are 26 & 24 not a big difference but they are going for a young Han Solo. I have no idea how many installments they’re aiming for (my guess 3 movies) so it’s better to have them (Taron, Alden, Jack) for the full ride. Plus Harrison Ford was 35 when he played Han Solo.

      • Mia4s says:

        This is exactly it. Han Solo in the first movie was supposed to be about 30 (Ford was 34/35 while playing him), a decade older than the supposed to be 19 Luke and Leia (Mark Hamill was about 25/26, Fisher was actually 19). They are likely going to want Han to be about 20 in this movie or there is not much room.

      • nina says:

        Fisher was 19!? Woah I tought she was 30+….this is why age of the actors matters very little, it’s about the age you look, not the age you are.
        Now Garret does look to be 30-35 but Fisher and even Mark looked much older imo, I thought they all were the same age with like a year or two difference.
        Anywho, I think Garret is completely wrong for the part and I doubt he will be considered.

      • Algernon says:

        I think these spin-offs are supposed to be one-offs, not full blown franchises. At least, that’s what LucasFilm said originally. If one of them was crazy successful they’d probably revisit the well, and maybe the young Han Solo can appear in Boba Fett’s eventual movie, so there’s cross-over potential, but initially it sounded like the plan was to be one and done. In that case, I don’t think Garrett Hedlund’s age should be a big factor.

  3. mom2two says:

    I have to respectfully disagree about Miles, I hope he is off the list completely.
    My favorite out of those guys is Taron and I would not be shocked to see him get the role. Hollywood is very high on him.

    I bet the fanbase is going nuts not hearing Anthony Ingruber’s name in there unless it’s one of the ones not announced.

    • Snazzy says:

      I’m with you. I cannot stand that Teller kid: I refuse to see anything he’s in because all I ever do is want to smack him. This new crop of names seems more realistic.

      Sorry Kaiser, love you, but soooo happy it’s not going to be Teller or the Eglewart whatever brat.

    • lucy2 says:

      I agree, I don’t want Teller.

      Actually I don’t want anyone besides Ford playing Han, but Disney seems bound and determined to make these earlier stories.

    • ChloeL says:

      I couldn’t disagree more either. I think Miles Teller would be horrifically horrendous in this role.

      I hope Taron Egerton gets it! He was fantastic in Kingsman. Such a pleasant surprise!!

      • detritus says:

        I loved Taron in the Kingsmen. Which I thought would be an awful movie, and it surprised me.
        I’d pick him because Miles Teller is the definition of face-a-claque and Ansel Elgort is one egotistical step behind him.
        I haven’t seen any of the others though and I definitely thing Taron is the best looking.
        He might be short compared to Ford though?

    • CornyBlue says:

      No one ever thought the Harrison Ford impersonator would actually get it. As far as I saw film twitter was vehemently against it

      • vauvert says:

        Agree with all of you. Not Miles, he would just ruin the character. All I ever see is his punch demanding face (not that I ever would; but his face screams “hit me”). Taron is the best choice if they really need to do a prequel, which personally I don’t need and will likely skip. (And as I said on the Indy post, I am the biggest Ford fan. I love his Han and Ford, and I don’t think anyone can replace him.)

    • Magpie says:

      Han is not a raging frat boy douche bag, Miles is soooo wron for the part. Even physically, he is way too fug.

  4. nina says:

    It doesn’t seem like Anthony Ingruber has even gotten an audition just going by his twitter which is odd.
    At least give the guy a chance to audition, you can’t go by his youtube video because he was just doing an impression of Han Solo, i’m sure he wouldn’t do that in the actual movie, he would be more natural I’m sure.

  5. Lizzie McGuire says:

    Taron! I have always been rooting for him, he’s amazing in The Kingsman. I’ve seen Alden Ehrenreich in a few movies so if it comes down to Taron or Alden either way I’ll be happy. No movie will be better but at least they’re not choosing Miles Teller or Scott Eastwood for a young Han Solo.

  6. Bettyrose says:

    Of these, Alden is the only one who’s even close. Han was a rogue bad boy, not a greasy frat boy.

  7. D says:

    I have never heard of any of them, but I would vote for Alden Ehrenreich. He looks like he has that Han Solo arrogant smirk.

  8. Mia4s says:

    Still hate the idea of this movie but am slightly less offended by these choices.

    I guess I could see a Leia prequel from her Senate time pre-originals but Luke? Probably would take place post-Return of the Jedi time period. Before the original trilogy he just seemed to have a quiet, fairly normal childhood. Not much of a movie!

    • CornyBlue says:

      If any of the oroginal three should have gotten a prequel it should have been Leia. She had done so much more by the time she shows up on screen whereas Han Solo stole a Falcon and befriended a Wookie

      • mom2two says:

        CornyBlue, so agree about Leia. Would love to see Leia prequel.

      • Mia4s says:

        If I were a betting woman? A Leia prequel would be pre-A New Hope and deal with her badass early rebellion days. Probably a one-off.

        A Luke prequel would likely not happen until after this new trilogy is done. If Rey is indeed his daughter it will take place post-Return of the Jedi and deal with his relationship with Rey’s mother in some big one-off adventure.

        Sorry but both of these make more sense to me than Young Han Solo!

    • LadyAlbert says:

      A young Leia has appeared in Star Wars: Rebels, so they’re kinda showing her early efforts for the rebellion that way. I feel like we already know enough about her background.

      We know nothing about Han before episode 4, so this makes sense to me.

  9. mia girl says:

    I’m thinking Taron Egerton. I really liked him in Kingsmen – he had the cocky but charming attitude down. Plus I’ve been loving his press tour with Hugh Jackman.

    @Kaiser- I also liked Emory Cohen in Brooklyn, but that tweet to you on Oscar night from the Fuggirls about him being the actor who played Debra Messing’s son on SMASH! totally killed the positive vibe for me. I hated how he played that character.

  10. Sarah01 says:

    Taron, he’s got cocky yet charming with a soft side down, he’ll be great!

  11. InvaderTak says:

    No one. Ever. *cries*

  12. M.A.F. says:

    Nope. To all of it.

  13. Lucy says:

    I barely know Alden from Blue Jasmine, but Taron is EVERYTHING. Those of you who don’t know him, check him out. You won’t regret it.

  14. tanesha86 says:

    I think Taron would be the best choice among this group. He’s charismatic and a talented actor, it definitely doesn’t hurt that he’s the most attractive.

  15. ds says:

    Seriously? None of them

  16. CornyBlue says:

    Though both Taron and Cowboy are better than this, I hope both of them get cast irrespective of whoever among them gets cast as Han Solo and there have been indications that this is the case.
    The last list was so horrendous people will now accept any alternative. Also i am happy that miming guy did not make it.

  17. ReineDidon says:

    Taron ! ! I agree he is EVERYTHING ! I hope it is him but if it comes out to Alden I’ll still watch. He looks to be good for the part too.

  18. Darkladi says:

    Miles Teller has a punchable Ted Cruz face.

  19. Marty says:

    I’ve seen Alden in a few things. He’s a good actor with lots of screen presence.

  20. kri says:

    If these are the candidates, I vote for Taron. I loved him in Kingsmen.

  21. mkyarwood says:

    Wtf, Miles Teller = straight up NO. Alden has the talent, and Jack Raynor has the ‘best’ face out of these choices. Anthony Ingruber is my young Han Solo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXrsag4XPPw

  22. serena says:

    I like Alden the better, but still none of these guys looks like him at all. sigh

  23. Siearra says:

    Does anyone remember Alden from the movie “Beautiful Creatures”? He was so great in that movie.

    Alden and Taron are both talented. I would be happy with either choice.

  24. Cc says:

    Taron Egerton, please.