Star Wars Young Han Solo Movie Has Frontrunner For Leading Role - Report

The Han Solo movie is lined up to be the second standalone Star Wars spinoff, following this year's Rogue One. The film has a script, directors, and release date, but lacks one thing--Han himself. It has now been reported that rising star Alden Ehrenreich is the frontrunner to play the young space smuggler.

According to Deadline, Ehrenreich's impressive screen tests have put him ahead of the other actors under consideration. Last month, it was reported that the casting process had narrowed to Ehrenreich, Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction), and Taron Egerton (Kingsmen: The Secret Service).

Ehrenreich was seen most recently in the Coen brothers' comedy Hail Caesar!, and will star in Warren Beatty's upcoming movie about legendary tycoon Howard Hughes. He has also appeared in Stoker and Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.

The Han Solo film is to be directed by Jump Street's Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, from a script by Star Wars veteran Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jon.

Although the movie is yet to be given a title, it has been confirmed that Chewbacca will also play a part in the story. It is currently set for a May 2018 release.