The Search for Young Han Solo Now Has a Shortlist

Disney and Lucasfilm appear to be very serious about making a Young Han Solo spin-off movie within their ever-expanding Star Wars Cinematic Universe. Following the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it’s no surprise that anything and everything Star Wars is moving forward.

But as we’re often reminded, just because you can make a movie, doesn’t mean you should. Such might be the case with the Han Solo movie. But there’s an ace in the hole for Lucasfilm: filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. With their success in bringing movies like 21 Jump Street and The LEGO Movie to life, they have proven themselves to be elite “bad idea” movie directors. It’s become a cycle of emotions for film fans. At first, their projects sound like terrible ideas. Then they make casting choices that create curiosity. Then they make a movie that’s fantastic.

In Lord and Miller we will have to trust.

Variety is reporting today that after seeing thousands of actors for the role of young Han Solo, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy and her directors will meet with about a dozen finalists in person. Fantastic Four‘s Miles Teller, The Fault in Our Stars‘ Ansel Engort, 21 Jump Street‘s Dave Franco, Transformers: Age of Extinction‘s Jack Reynor, The Longest Ride‘s Scott Eastwood, The Perks of Being a Wallflower‘s Logan Lerman, Brooklyn‘s Emory Cohen and Everybody Wants Some‘s Blake Jenner are among the names on the final list.

According to Variety’s report, even though the Solo film won’t shoot until next January, a decision may come soon, as the young Han may make a brief appearance in Star Wars: Rogue One, a movie that is still shooting for another month. It’s a similar strategy that Disney and Marvel have employed with their new Spider-Man, Tom Holland, who will appear in Captain America: Civil War before appearing in his own film.

Even though this isn’t the entire list, it’s hard not to be disappointed that Kingsman star Taron Egerton isn’t on it. He’d be my pick for young Han Solo. Though he’s fairly busy for the next few years, having been cast in Robin Hood: Origins and a reprisal of his role as Eggsy for Kingsman 2.

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