--- description: Disney has auditioned 2,500 actors for the Star Wars spinoff title: Why Disney Should Cast a Total Unknown as Young Han Solo image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf0bf2ef5086d4cf6/6987ea73a988ca37996b01e7/star-wars.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Why Disney Should Cast a Total Unknown as Young Han Solo  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Jan 12, 2016 6:47 PM CUT  Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars, 1977. Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars, 1977.Mondadori Portfolio—Getty Images  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Jan 12, 2016 6:47 PM CUT Disney’s [rumored shortlist](http://variety.com/2016/film/news/star-wars-han-solo-spinoff-actors-1201675519/ "undefined") for the role of young Han Solo in the upcoming Solo-centric _Star Wars_ spinoff is making its way around the Internet, and fans are [none](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/11/who-should-play-young-han-solo-5-better-choices-than-disney-s-shortlist.html "undefined") [too](http://www.dailydot.com/geek/star-wars-young-han-solo-shortlist-actors-no-just-no/ "undefined") [happy](http://www.avclub.com/article/disney-reveals-its-shortlist-young-han-solo-230561 "undefined") with the candidates. Miles Teller? He thrives playing utterly spineless and unlikable dudes (see: _Whiplash_, _Spectacular Now_, _Divergent_), not charming rebels. Dave Franco? He’s already 30, and is at his best when his frat boy charm is mocked, not embraced (_21 Jump Street_, _Neighbors_). And then there’s Ansel Elgort, who is probably better left [playing second fiddle](http://www.people.com/article/ansel-elgort-talks-shailene-woodley-platonic-relationship "undefined") to way more badass Shailene Woodley. Hey, Disney: [It’s a trap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA "undefined")! You should not cast any of these guys. The clear solution at this point is to cast a complete unknown. At this point every actor in the galaxy between the ages of 18 and 30 has auditioned for the iconic role. (Seriously, [they’ve auditioned 2,500 actors](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/who-will-play-han-solo-844956 "undefined").) And while there are some intriguing prospects—[_Mr. Robot’_s Rami Malek](http://time.com/4000137/mr-robot-finale-true-detective/ "undefined") would be mesmerizing, and Michael B. Jordan [proved he has the chops](http://time.com/4119959/michael-b-jordan-punches-his-way-into-a-new-weight-class-with-creed/ "undefined") in _Creed_—a newbie is the safest bet. Casting someone with baggage is a risk that’s simply not worth taking. Remember when [pre-bag-wearing](http://time.com/5790/shia-labeouf-dons-paper-bag-for-nymphomaniac-premiere/ "undefined") Shia LeBeouf was tapped to star alongside Harrison Ford in _Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?_ We do. **MORE:** [John Boyega Says the ](http://time.com/4176925/john-boyega-star-wars-sequel/ "undefined")[_Star Wars_ ](http://time.com/4176925/john-boyega-star-wars-sequel/ "undefined")[Sequel Will Be ‘Much Darker’](http://time.com/4176925/john-boyega-star-wars-sequel/ "undefined") For the best case for casting fresh faces, look no further than [_Star Wars:_ _The Force Awakens_](http://time.com/4133280/star-wars-the-force-awakens-jj-abrams-props/ "undefined"). Daisy Ridley was a total unknown, and John Boyega’s only starring part had been in an excellent but little-seen British alien flick called _Attack the Block_ that you should go stream right now. They could completely inhabit their roles without seeming like known quantities. And for kids seeing their first _Star Wars_ film (or at least their first one on a big screen), Boyega and Ridley acted as their eyes and ears. As young adults just entering Hollywood, they represented a whole new generation discovering the _Star Wars_ world—its physics, its dirty ships, its secrets. _The Force Awakens_ can thank those two actors for its [box office records](http://time.com/4170698/star-wars-the-force-awakens-domestic-box-office-record/ "undefined") and much of the [critical praise](http://time.com/4150168/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ "undefined") (Of course, give due credit to Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac, both of whom were better known actors entering the franchise, though by no means household names. Driver brought his intense brand of angst to villain Kylo Ren, and Oscar Isaac—the [Internet’s boyfriend](http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/01/oscar-isaac-internet-boyfriend.html "undefined")—played the perfect snarky but charming hero. But I don’t think either of them would have worked as the two main heroes because those distinct personalities may have isolated some moviegoers.) A new generation is inheriting this franchise, so a new spin on Han Solo would be appropriate. Perhaps he’s a little bit uncomfortable with his blaster, still trying to figure out his trademark smirk. A blank slate would be easiest to mold into this new take on an iconic character. And besides, this is Harrison Ford we’re talking about. The man is now the [highest-grossing actor](http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/08/harrison-ford-domestic-box-office "undefined") in U.S. movie history and the star of some of the most beloved films of our time. Do we really want the third lead from _Neighbors_ taking on his most iconic character? That said, Chris Pratt does a [damn good](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/15/chris-pratt-indiana-jones-jurassic-world "undefined") Harrison Ford impression. Something to consider. ### See the Concept Art For the Original Star Wars Movie Trilogy  C-3PO and R2-D2 Courtesy of Lucasfilm  The Millenium Falcon Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Y-Wings line up against the Death Star Courtesy of Lucasfilm  An X-Wing versus TIE fighters Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Echo Base Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Battle of Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Battle of Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Cloud City of Bespin Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke versus Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Dagobah Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's Palace Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's Palace Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus a rancor Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's fall Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Endor Courtesy of Lucasfilm  B-Wings Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus Emperor Palpatine Courtesy of Lucasfilm T ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4177037/han-solo-spinoff-actors/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4177037/han-solo-spinoff-actors/"},"headline":"Why Disney Should Cast a Total Unknown as Young Han Solo","datePublished":"2016-01-12T18:47:16.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T05:00:36.976Z","description":"Disney has auditioned 2,500 actors for the Star Wars spinoff","url":"https://time.com/4177037/han-solo-spinoff-actors/","keywords":["movies"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf0bf2ef5086d4cf6/6987ea73a988ca37996b01e7/star-wars.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Eliana Dockterman","jobTitle":"Correspondent","url":"https://time.com/author/eliana-dockterman/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf0bf2ef5086d4cf6/6987ea73a988ca37996b01e7/star-wars.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"star-wars","caption":"In a scene from George Lucas' epic space opera Star Wars, the American actor Harrison Ford as rebel smuggler Han Solo draws a gun against enemies; behind him can be seen a fantastic space shuttle. 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