Star Wars: Han Solo spin-off film will tell Chewbacca's origin story

No young Chewbacca or Han Solo actors have been announced yet

One of the most exciting upcoming Star Wars projects is by far the Han Solo spin-off film, yet it is also Disney’s most risky upcoming property. The loveable rogue is, to put it lightly, a fan favourite, and getting the origins story wrong would lead to millions of disheartened fans.

Luckily, things are shaping up; first of all Lawrence Kasdan - writer of The Force Awakens, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as well as Raiders of the Lost Ark - is on board as both writer and producer.

Now, it has emerged that the film won’t just be about Han Solo, but also his furry best friend, Chewbacca. According to Disney boss Bob Iger - who was talking at the Deutsche Bank 2016 Media, Internet & Telecom Conference - the film will be “an origin story about Han Solo and Chewy”.

He added that the company is planning to release Star Wars related movies far beyond the currently promised slate, having previously said they will “go on forever”.

Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew has been Tweeting out pages of the original Star Wars script, previously saying there will be big news at the end; possibly the casting of a young Chewy? In The Force Awakens Joonas Suotamo was in the suit for most of the action scenes, so perhaps he will take over properly.

Meanwhile, a young Han Solo has yet to be cast but the shortlist has been narrowed down to just a few remaining actors including Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort and Dave Franco.

There’s also Anthony Ingruber who isn’t on the shortlist but played a young Harrison Ford in Age of Adeline (Spoilers: he should get it). In the meantime, you can get your Han Solo fix in comic-book form via Marvel.