Star Wars: Alden Ehrenreich frontrunner to play young Han Solo in spin-off

The Hail, Ceasar! actor is reportedly Disney's favourite to take the role

Alden Ehrenreich (Getty)

The moment Disney announced a Star Wars spin-off centred on Han Solo was in the works, all attention turned to who would play the titular character.

Having been played by Harrison Ford since 1977, the future Solo-actor has big shoes to fill, but reports are now pointing to just one person: Alden Ehrenreich.

The 26-year-old, who recently appeared in the Coen Brothers’ Hail, Caesar!, was previously up against Taron Egerton and Jack Reynor, but - according to Deadline - is now the primary contender after screen tests.

While Disney has declined to comment, previous reports have also pointed to Ehrenreich taking the coveted role. The ‘as-yet-untitled’ spin-off will be directed by 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie's ​Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Very little else is known about the project except Laurence Kasdan - who wrote The Force Awakens, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as well as Raiders of the Lost Ark - is on board to write and produce. The film is also said to give an origins story to Chewbacca.

Meanwhile, Disney’s other Star Wars spin-off, Rogue One, recently received its first trailer, showing Felicity Jones in action. Reports have recently pointed to Spencer Wilding - of Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy fame - appearing in the film as Darth Vader.