The eighth and most recent movie in the "Star Wars" has undoubtedly awakened the Force within fans and new converts alike as they stormed to theaters by the masses to catapult the movie to recording-breaking box office heights. Banking on the success of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and movie-goers' rekindled nostalgia, the creators are set to release a spin-off that will focus on the story of none other than Han Solo.
Who will get to play the young Han Solo, a character originally portrayed by Harrison Ford, is the million dollar question for more than 2,500 actors, ranging from 19 to 29 years old, who auditioned for the role, Business Standard noted.
In an exclusive feature by Variety, Disney and Lucasfilm execs have reportedly trimmed down the list to about a dozen hopefuls, which includes Ansel Elgort of "The Fault In Our Stars," Miles Teller of "Whiplash," Dave Franco of "Neighbors," Logan Lerman of "The Perks of Being A Wallflower," Jack Reynor of "Transformers: Age of Extinction," Emory Cohen of "Brooklyn" and Blake Jenner of "Everybody Wants Some".
The shortlisted actors will undergo a screening test with the movie's producer Kathleen Kennedy and directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord. Miller and Lord's tandem is known for whipping up impressive movies such as "The Lego Movie" and the two "Jump Street" films.
Sources say the creators are moving quick to take their pick not primarily for the "Han Solo" spin-off, but because the young Han Solo will make a cameo appearance in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story".
"Rogue One" is apparently set between the "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" timeframe, so having a young Han Solo appear would seem to be more appropriate given the setting.
"The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams has a brief, but essential piece of advice to the guys aspiring to take on the role of the Millennium Falcon's captain.
"Watch Raiders of the Lost Ark. It'll all be right there," Abrams said.
As to what the upcoming "Han Solo" movie is about, "Force Awakens" co-writer Lawrence Kasdan said, that the movie will not turn out as a biopic of his life. The setting will most likely be 10 years before Han Solo met Luke Skywalker, focusing on his past adventures.
A brief synopsis of the movie reads, "The story focuses on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley."
For the movie, Lawrence Kasdan will work with his father Jon, who was also the screenwriter for "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi".
Production for the yet to be titled "Han Solo" movie will begin in January 2016.
