The role of the young Han Solo for what was eventually called Solo: A Star Wars Story was a hugely coveted part a few years back when Lucasfilm were trying to find the newest star of the franchise. Actors such as Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Scott Eastwood and many more were shortlisted for the character before Alden Ehrenreich was the lucky one to be chosen to step into Harrison Ford’s shoes.
In a new featurette to commemorate the movie arriving on DVD and Blu-Ray later this month, director Ron Howard sat down with the cast to ask them a few questions. Among other things, he asked his leading man what he did when he found out he was the new Han Solo. You’d imagine this would be the time to let loose and celebrate, but due to the intense secrecy surrounding his casting, it turns out Ehrenreich had a pretty subdued reaction.
“I got the call, I was just on the street, and I called my family, I told them, but, all my friends, I couldn’t tell anyone really, it wasn’t even going to be announced for three months. And so I didn’t know what to do, but I felt I should do something. So I went to the beach by myself and walked around and there was the pier there so I went to the pier and I said, ‘I guess I’ll ride a ride,’ so I just rode a rollercoaster by myself.”
This response particularly tickled Donald Glover – Solo‘s Lando Calrissian – as he replied: “That’s the most ‘Alden’ answer I’ve ever heard.”
Ehrenreich then went on to give an example of how tough it was to make sure his big Star Wars role didn’t get out, saying:
“I told my nana and I was like, ‘You can’t tell anybody,’ and she was like, ‘Okay,’ and then I called her a week later and she was like, ‘Everyone’s thrilled!'”
While this was a career-defining moment for Ehrenreich, and he should be pleased with his efforts in the movie, it’s fair to say that Solo wasn’t the success Lucasfilm was hoping it would be. The film’s box office total fell well below what we’ve come to expect from the franchise, meaning that any plans for a sequel will likely never materialize. Still, there’s nothing stopping the actor from reprising his role as Han in other Star Wars movies set in a similar pre-New Hope period.
Solo: A Star Wars Story arrives on Digital HD from September 14th and on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 25th.
