The upcoming Han Solo origin story is reportedly close to casting its lead actor.
After the success of The Force Awakens, focus is now being turned to the upcoming Star Wars spin-off movies, which begin with Rogue One’s release in December. But also in the pipeline is a Han Solo origin story, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, which is reportedly close to casting the young smuggler.
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According to Variety, after seeing thousands of actors, executives have narrowed the names down to a shortlist over around a dozen actors. Included on the list are, 21 Jump Street’s Dave Franco, Whiplash’s Miles Teller and The Fault in Our Stars' lead Ansel Elgort.
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Other names mentioned are Jack Reynor, Scott Eastwood (son of Clint Eastwood), Logan Lerman, Emory Cohen and ‘Glee’s’ Blake Jenner. Variety adds that NDAs and test deals are still being worked out, but producer Kathleen Kennedy and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller will begin testing the new group with a decision expected 'in the next couple of weeks'.
While the film does not begin shooting till next January, sources tell Variety that the reason execs are looking to cast the role so early has more to do with Rogue One than the untitled Han Solo pic. Although nothing’s been confirmed, some have speculated that the new Solo could have a small cameo in Rogue One before appearing in his own standalone movie.
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Not much is known about the upcoming Han Solo movie, other than that it won’t be a simple origin story. At a Q&A during the Directors Guild of America last month, co-writer Lawrence Kasdan said: "It will not be here’s where he was born and this is how he was raised. I think what it will be is, what was he like 10 years earlier, maybe a little earlier, you’ll get a glimpse.”
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