30 iconic Star Wars roles that almost went to different actors

4. Han Solo (Taron Egerton)

Before it was Alden Ehrenreich, it could have been Taron Egerton starring in the infamous role of Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The BAFTA Award-winning actor, best known for his role as Eggsy in the Kingsman franchise (where he starred opposite The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal in the second film), was in the running to play as the younger incarnation of the beloved smuggler.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Egerton said, “I didn’t go to the last audition. Because it didn’t feel right to me. To be honest, I think it was always going to be Alden’s part.” You have to give him a lot of credit for walking away from an opportunity like starring in a Star Wars film. But sometimes it’s the best for everyone involved when an actor recognizes that a role does not feel right for them, long before the actual filming process begins.

Rather than take on the role of Han Solo and star in the admittedly poorly received Solo: A Star Wars Story, Egerton went on to star as a different kind of thief in Lionsgate’s Robin Hood. We’ll let you decide whether that was a wise choice for Egerton.