Hail Ceasar! star Alden Ehrenreich is the frontrunner to play a young version of iconic character, Han Solo, in an upcoming Star Wars spin-off, set to be directed by The Lego Movie’s Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Read the Star Wars The Force Awakens review here
Among 2,500 actors auditioning for the role, Ehrenreich made up the final shortlist along with Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service) and Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction).
Read: One of these three actors will play a young Han Solo
The 26-year-old Los Angeles native now leads the pack thanks to his “impressive performance” during a series of screen tests, reported Deadline.
Watch the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer here
It’s worth noting that Ehrenreich’s casting is not yet official and the coveted role could still go to another actor.
{{/usCountry}}It’s worth noting that Ehrenreich’s casting is not yet official and the coveted role could still go to another actor.
{{/usCountry}}Read: More than 2500 actors have auditioned for the role of Han Solo
Written by Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jon, the still-untitled stand-alone Star Wars film will be an origin story about Han Solo and his best buddy Chewbacca. Filming is set to star next January for a May 25, 2018 release in the US.
Read: Harrison Ford to auction Han Solo jacket in aid of epileptic daughter
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