Alden Ehrenreich confirmed as the new Han Solo at Star Wars Celebration

Though it was previously reported that the Blue Jasmine and Hail, Caesar! actor had secured the role, Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm have officially confirmed that Alden Ehrenreich will star as the new Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars Story film.

The announcement was made at the Future Filmmaker Panel, which featured Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy (Producer) and Kiri Hart (Senior Vice President of Development), who were joined by director Rian Johnson (Star Wars: Episode VIII) and directing duo Chris Miller and Phil Lord (the untitled Han Solo Star Wars story). Hosted by Lucasfilm Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo, the filmmakers were joined by surprise guests John Boyega (Finn), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa) from Star Wars: Episode VIII.

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The screenplay for the Han Solo movie is written by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan and will focus 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. It has also been confirmed that Chewbacca will also be a featured character in the film and, while unconfirmed, it s likely that The Force Awakens‘ Joonas Suotamo will reprise the role.

Slated for a May 25, 2018 release, the Han Solo movie will be executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan and Jason McGatlin and co-produced by Will Allegra. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, meanwhile, hits theaters December 16, 2016.