Report: Spielberg & Coppola Plugged Alden Ehrenreich For Young Han Solo
By Elaine Tveit
Legendary directors Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola reportedly recommended Alden Ehrenreich to Kathleen Kennedy for young Han Solo role.
THR reports Alden Ehrenreich, who will star as young Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars spinoff film, was recommended for the role to Kathleen Kennedy by legendary directors Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones, Jaws, Jurassic Park) and Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) (via Star Wars Underworld).
Spielberg discovered Ehrenreich when he saw the young actor’s performance in a comedy shown at a bat mitzvah. Ehrenreich, 26 years old today, was 14 then. Ehrenreich then starred in two films directed by Coppola: Tetro (2009) and Twixt (2011), in the latter alongside Natalie Portman.
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Given his history with the directors, it makes sense Ehrenreich would have Spielberg and Coppola gunning for him to get the sought-after role of young Han Solo. Spielberg and Coppola are old friends of Kennedy’s, meaning any recommendation from them would have weight with her. So it’s also no surprise Ehrenreich got the role, if the report is true.
Spielberg’s and Coppola’s films are known for prime storytelling and top-notch acting. If both directors recommend the same actor for a particular role, I would be remiss to doubt their judgement as to the talent of the latter. While I haven’t seen any of Ehrenreich’s films to date, I am confident in the decision of Kennedy and the Han Solo film’s directors, Chris Miller and Phillip Lord. Finding someone to fill Harrison Ford’s shoes must have been no easy task, and the actor who managed to make himself stand out from all the other contenders is worthy of adopting Han’s swagger.
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Keep checking Dork Side as we follow the developments surrounding the Han Solo standalone movie.