Cape Town – Earlier this year we reported that newbie actor Alden Ehrenreich was in final negotiations to play young Han Solo in a in a standalone spin-off film.
The casting was confirmed in an announcement made during the Star Wars Celebration "Future Filmmakers" in London.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller revealed that the Hail Caesar! actor was the first person to audition for the role.
A huge standing O as our new Han Solo Alden Ehrenreich steps out. @etnow pic.twitter.com/klPM1PaGfn
— Ashley Crossan (@AshCrossan) July 17, 2016
Ehrenreich's casting process took six months and he did multiple screening tests including alongside Chewbacca.
The story will focus on Han's life before his appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope.
During the discussion Ehrenreich talked about what it was like setting foot on the Millennium Falcon.
"There's something about it that just felt so exciting... that was more exciting than it was nerve-wracking."
Watch it here:
Alden Ehrenreich talks stepping onto the Millennium Falcon at #SWCE pic.twitter.com/uxbR3PHwkf
— Ashley Crossan (@AshCrossan) July 17, 2016
Filming for the movie is set to begin in January/February 2017.
The yet untitled film is set to hit theatres in May 2018.