The search for a young actor to pilot the Millennium Falcon in Disney and Lucasfilm's planned young Han Solo origin story has just gone into hyper drive. What started as a widespread search for one of the most coveted roles in Hollywood is now down to just three reported candidates.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, tests in London were carried out last week with actors Alden Ehrenreich ("Hail, Caesar!"), Jack Reynor ("Transformers: Age of Extinction"), and Taron Egerton ("Kingsman," "Eddie the Eagle").
It's possible that there are other names on the shortlist as well. However, we all know how secretive Disney and Lucasfilm can be, so these are the only finalists that we know of right now.
Update: Variety is reporting that Blake Jenner ("Everybody Wants Some") and Jack O'Connell ("Unbroken") are also on the shortlist as well.
The three who tested were selected from a group of around 10 actors who met with directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller ("The Lego Movie," "21 Jump Street"). That group consisted of actors such as Miles Teller ("Whiplash"), Ansel Elgort ("The Fault in Our Stars") and Emory Cohen ("Brooklyn").
The studio has searched the galaxy far and wide for a young leading man capable of taking on the iconic role of Han Solo. It was reported that the search began with more than 2,500 actors having either met with casting directors or sending in audition tapes.
The character was first made famous by Harrison Ford in 1977's "Star Wars: A New Hope," followed by "The Empire Strikes Back," "Return of the Jedi" and 2015's "The Force Awakens."
A younger version of the character will headline the second in a planned series of "Star Wars" anthology films. It is due out in May of 2018 with this year's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" directed by Gareth Edwards ("Godzilla") marking the first non-saga "Star Wars" film.
We'll keep you posted as Disney and Lucasfilm continue to work towards a final decision.
For more, follow Brandon Katz on Twitter: @Great_Katzby
