With Disney now in charge of the iconic Star Wars franchise, the galaxy far, far away is getting much bigger. In addition to the current trilogy and Rian Johnson's still developing set of movies, the property is also utilizing standalone films as a way to tell unique stories. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story changed the game by bridging the gap between the prequels and A New Hope, and soon Solo will arrive to bring younger versions of the original heroes to the silver screen. Actor Alden Ehrenreich is taking on the mantle of Harrison Ford's signature smuggler, and original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord have explained what helped him land the gig. Miller recently revealed how the actor's sense of humor and range of emotions helped him get the role of Han Solo.
Alden, remarkably, remained the person to beat from day one. We brought him in many times, pushed him, tried to test his range, and he was always up for it and brought something new, with a great sense of humor.
Chris Miller's comments prove how he and former co-director Phil Lord really thought out who the character Han Solo was at his core. While he may seem brash and arrogant at first, Han has a hidden vulnerability that comes out for his loved ones like Leia, Kylo Ren, and Chewbacca. And aside from being a bad boy with a heart of gold, the smuggler also ultimately has to be funny.
In the same conversation with Esquire, Phil Lord also spoke to the complexity of Alden Ehrenreich's character, saying:
He felt classic and contemporary all at once. He seemed like a tough guy who was really scared.
The mixture of classic and contemporary is a particularly powerful statement, given the pressure associated with Solo: A Star Wars Story. While fans are eager to see their favorite scruffy looking nerf herder back on the silver screen, Alden Ehrenreich has some huge shoes to fill. Han Solo is the undisputed fan favorite character of the Star wars franchise, so attempting to capture the same mixture of machismo and heroics is quite the task.
While the Star Wars franchise is a beloved property passed down from generation to generation, the franchise does seem to be a more contemporary place since Disney took the reigns. The comedy and dialogue in the last few films have a sensibility that feels very now, while still including all the classic aspects of Star Wars that fans are expecting. If Alden Ehrenreich is able to properly mix the past and present for his interpretation of Han Solo, he should be in good shape. Funny enough, there doesn't seem to be much concern over whether or not Donald Glover can pull of Lando. Childish Gambino's got it like that.
All will be revealed when Solo: A Star Wars Story arrives in theaters on May 25, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
