With the recent news that Disney and Lucasfilm have vetted over 2,500 names for the role of Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars spin-off film based on the character’s early days, speculation over who will inherit the role that made Harrison Ford a star is beginning to intensify. The potential actor has to be able to exude a roguish, handsome charm while also being able to pull off snappy, witty dialogue and have a flair for reluctant heroics, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Chris Pratt is pretty much able to do this kind of thing in his sleep — which explains why his name keeps getting tossed around as a candidate for playing Indiana Jones, another famous Ford character — but at 36-years-old, he can’t exactly pull off a “young” Solo when he’s already older than Ford was when he first stepped into the role. Fortunately, there are a number of younger actors who could convincingly play a young Han Solo if given the opportunity, with the following 10 representing the shortlist of actors who could definitely do it justice.
10. Chandler Riggs (16)
Carl from The Walking Dead may seem like an odd choice to play a young Solo, but considering he’s already been looked at by Disney and Lucasfilm, 16-year-old Chandler Riggs must have something that the producers like and we’re inclined to agree. Riggs has really grown into his role, literally and figuratively, on the The Walking Dead over the course of six seasons and has shown that he has a range well beyond his years; able to portray rebellious angst and genuine emotion at the drop of a hat, two qualities that would go over well as a brasher, more inexperienced Solo. The only thing that’s working against Riggs is that he may be too young for the role, but that all really depends on what direction Disney wants to take the new film.
Via AMC