We always knew Harrison Ford was irreplaceable, but it seems Lucasfilm might have missed out on that memo. With the shocking news of directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller being fired as directors of the Han Solo movie to be replaced by Ron Howard comes news of more signs of trouble in paradise for the marriage between Disney and Lucasfilm.
New reports from The Hollywood Reporter have revealed that the studio was not happy with the initial acting performance of lead Alden Ehrenreich and hired an acting coach to get the performance out of him that they were looking for. Now, you would think they would’ve covered this in the audition process, which makes the news all the more surprising.
Ehrenreich is certainly not the first young actor to headline a Star Wars film. In fact, considering George Lucas’ approach of hiring fresh actors to lead the films, he is arguably one of the more well-known and already established Star Wars leads. The difference is that whereas all other actors were taking on new original characters, Ehrenreich is trying to replicate one of the most beloved characters in film history, which is certainly no easy feat and seemingly something he wasn’t quite getting right.
This news is definitely not calming the fears that many fans now have for the film. For many, a film all about Han Solo was almost too good to be true and while Lucasfilm is working hard on ensuring the final product will still be of a high quality, it appears the dream might have been too good after all. The film will likely make money regardless, but Lucasfilm will likely want to avoid this movie potentially being the first turkey in the Star Wars cannon (because Star Wars Episode I: A Phantom Menace is probably not as bad as you remember and Jar Jar Binks didn’t really happen – okay?).
Last Updated: June 27, 2017
EyeGodZA
June 27, 2017 at 12:43
I have a bad feeling about this. I wonder if that kid was getting too cocky on set?
Raptor Rants
June 27, 2017 at 12:52
Darnit. You stole my line
miaau
June 27, 2017 at 14:40
Who is the more foolish, the fool or he who follows him?
Ron Howard may do well to pay attention to that line.
Original Heretic
June 27, 2017 at 13:11
Terrible! Did they cast him for his look alone?!
He’s had a few other roles, but nothing like playing Solo.
Someone screwed up when they cast him….
GooseZA
June 27, 2017 at 13:39
I think he should have been given a little wiggle room with the role, rather than expecting him to produce a carbonite copy.
Magoo
June 27, 2017 at 13:40
Calm down everyone. As Solo himself once said, fly casual.
Chuckles von Clausewitz III
June 27, 2017 at 14:04
Oh snap, it’s Jar Jar Bings all over again, guys!
miaau
June 27, 2017 at 14:38
There is a scene in Mass Effect Andromeda where Sarah Ryder mimics Han Solo;s attempt to get the stormtroopers off their back in the detention centre. Very funny AND Ryder shared a small laugh about trying it. That just reminds me, that roguish, devil may care while caring attitude, that swagger. All of it, the package. Very hard to pull off.