9 actors we'd like to see shoot first as young Han Solo
Rumors abound that the Disney/Star Wars deal will lead to a standalone film focusing on a young Han Solo. As awesome as that sounds, there’s one problem: Who could possibly be cool enough to climb into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon?
Harrison Ford made the badass with a heart of gold one of the most famous characters in sci-fi during the original Star Wars trilogy, but the guy is getting pretty old these days.
There’s a solid chance he could return in some capacity, but if there’s a prequel film focused on Han Solo, they’ll need a new actor to take up the role. Even if they don’t end up making a prequel focused on the character, numerous reports indicate Star Wars: Episode VII will be focused on Han, Leia and Luke’s kids.
So, regardless, there will probably be a young Solo kicking around in some capacity within the next few years.
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Here are nine solid options to take over for Harrison Ford as Han Solo.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass)
Taylor-Johnson can pull off cool, and became a cult icon for his role in Kick-Ass. He’s getting a little older now, and with the right hair cut, could be an outside the box choice for Han Solo.
Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild, Speed Racer)
Yes, he’s the guy from Speed Racer, but Hirsch also has a pretty solid indie career. Thrg guy killed it in Into the Wild. He definitely has the charm to pull off Han.
Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers, The Cabin in the Woods)
Who says you can’t have two gigantic franchises? Heck, even Episode Vii director J.J.Abrams is double-dipping with Trek. Hemsworth might be too busy with his commitments to the God of Thunder, but he has the look to play a studly, young Han.
Sam Claflin (Snow White and the Huntsman, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)
Claflin is a bit of a dark horse, but he’ll become a household name soon enough thanks to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. He has the faint look of a young Han, and could be a good fit.
Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class, Jack the Giant Slayer)
Hoult has proven he has big sci-fi franchise chops with his recent outings, and could be just the fresh face Disney is looking for to get this off the ground.
Taylor Kitsch (John Carter, Battleship)
Kitsch was supposed to be the next household name, but after two massive sci-fi flops he’s fallen off the radar. But he still has movie star good looks, and he was actually pretty good in both of his blockbuster attempts. Back him up with the Star Wars brand, and he’d be a great young Han.
Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle)
Yes, Fillion is getting a little too old to pull off a young version of anybody, but he could absolutely kill it as Han Solo. Heck, his Firefly character Capt. Mal Reynolds was already about 60 percent Han Solo to start with.
Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy)
Hedlund broke out in the recent Tron sequel, but has proven he has some acting chops as well with his turn in the indie flick On the Road.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Looper, The Dark Knight Rises)
Yes, he’s been in about every big sci-film the past few years. But there’s a reason: He’s really, really good. Gordon-Levitt can handle the action, and has the big franchise experience for the role. The only problem? He may be a little too well-known for fans to believe he’s a young Han Solo.
