Alden Ehrenreich: Meet the actor set to play a young Han Solo in Star Wars spin-off

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A new Han Solo has reportedly been found in the form of American actor Alden Ehrenreich.

After much speculation, with Deadline reporting he had been chosen for the role several weeks ago, Variety has cited sources close to the film confirming he will play the part.

The as-yet untitled Star Wars spin-off project will centre around Han Solo. It is currently thought to be in pre-production and the first photo from the set was posted on Thursday by co-director Christopher Miller. The prequel is expected to hit cinemas in 2018.

But who is Ehrenreich, the man who will be filling the shoes of Harrison Ford?

Discovery

As far as discovery stories go, this one is pretty impressive. A 14-year-old Ehrenreich was stumbled upon by Steven Spielberg at a Bat Mitzvah where he acted in a comedy video to mark his friend's celebration at age 14.

Discussing the video with Rolling Stone, he said: “It’s a piece of sh*t. I mean there wasn’t a script: We would go and just film whatever made us laugh.”

This discovery led him to television roles in programmes like CSI before auditioning for Francis Ford Coppola’s Tetro in 2007.

Acting

The 26-year-old’s career so far has been marked by collaborations with high-profile directors. Aside from being discovered by Spielberg and then working with Coppola, he may be recognisable from his recent role in the Coen Brothers’ Hail Ceasar!

Ehrenreich played Hobbie Doyle in the film alongside a few famous faces including George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes and Scarlett Johansson.

Ehrenreich also starred in Blue Jasmine in 2013, which was directed by Woody Allen.

In the same year he starred alongside Viola Davis, Emma Thompson and Jeremy Irons playing the lad role of Ethan in Beautiful Creatures.

Background and education

Ehrenreich was born and educated in Los Angeles before moving to New York to attend NYU. There, he took acting classes as well as journalism and philosophy classes but didn’t finish his degree.

The aspiring actor set up a theatre company and performed in bars and theatres across the city, something he labelled “one of the most rewarding experiences I had when I was in New York”.

With the latest news, he likely has many more rewarding experiences ahead.