Today atStar Wars CelebrationEurope,Alden Ehrenreichwas introduced to fans for the first time as Han Solo, the new star of the untitledHan Solo Star Wars Storyat the Future Filmmaker Panel. The panel featured Lucasfilm’sKathleen Kennedy(Producer) andKiri Hart(Senior Vice President of Development), who were joined by directorRian Johnson(Star Wars: Episode VIII) and directing duoChris MillerandPhil Lord(the untitledHan Solo Star Warsstory). Hosted by Lucasfilm Story Group’sPablo Hidalgo, the filmmakers were joined by surprise guestsJohn Boyega(Finn),Mark Hamill(Luke Skywalker) andCarrie Fisher(General Leia Organa) fromStar Wars: Episode VIII.
BeforeAlden Ehrenreichtook the stage, directorsPhil LordandChris Millerrevealed that, during their arduous audition process,Alden Ehrenreichwas literally the first person they met with.Phil Millerrevealed they “turned over” every rock to find the actor with the “charisma and magic swagger” to play Han Solo, according to the live blog of the Future Filmmaker Panel atStarWars.com. Here’s whatChris Millerhad to say about the casting.
“But it was a waste of money because the person to get the part was literally the first person to walk through the door.”
Alden Ehrenreichalso revealed that his audition process lasted for a whopping six months, and he also got to go on theMillennium Falcon, whichChris Millerrevealed only the finalists got to do. He also screen tested withChewbaccathroughout this process. Here’s what the actor had to say about auditioning to become Han Solo.
“I auditioned for about 6 months. The coolest part of that audition process was, I went on the Falcon…It’s pretty unbelievable. I’m just very, very excited. I’ve never screen tested with a Wookie. It was amazing. There’s something about it that felt so exciting. It was more exciting than it was nerve-wracking.”
The directors also confirmed a previous report that production will begin on theHan Solo spinoffin either January or February, with the production to feature lots of “droids and sets.” LucasFilm has set a July 06, 2025 release date for this untitled spinoff, which is exactly 41 years to the date afterStar Wars:A New Hopehits theaters. Stay tuned for more on this untitled Han Solo adventure as we get closer to production starting.
