It’s no secret that Star Wars fans are some of the toughest and most loyal around, so it may be wise for The Walt Disney Co. to pay heed to the uproar that has ensued over its reported choice of a young Han Solo.
According to a report in Variety and other media outlets, Disney has picked actor Alden Ehrenreich, who impressed plenty in his depiction of a cowboy who can’t get his vowels right in “Hail, Caesar!”, to play a younger version of the rebel smuggler.
Ehrenreich had been rumored as a front-runner for the role in a Star Wars stand-alone about Han Solo. Of the few details circulating about the movie, the setting will be before “Star Wars: A New Hope”, similar to “Rogue One,” due for release this December. The Han Solo movie is slated for a May 25, 2018 opening, according to Variety. A spokesperson from Disney could not immediately be reached for comment.
It’s fair to say that Han Solo fans have been put through a lot after the much-beloved character was felled by a lightsaber at the hands of his own son in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Judging by the immediate reaction to news of a new Han Solo, clearly some are still struggling to cope:
@OfficialGattara YIKES ????!!! Worst decision ever everrrrrr EVER!!!!! They should've cast ANTHONY INGRUBER instead!!!! pic.twitter.com/SNiAzSGNzJ
— ♔ Iris ♔ (@Alba_Forever) May 6, 2016
The only actor I'd really accept as young Han Solo would be a clone of Harrison Ford.
— Paul Lewicki (@paulease) May 6, 2016
There's only 1 Han Solo
— Adam Dixon (@I_am_Dixon) May 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/SadieSabbath/status/728523528539148288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Harrison Ford should be the only one allowed to play Han Solo, even a young Han Solo should be played by him
— Dom (@_DxmBillingtxn) May 6, 2016
Some fans are completely bitter:
saw who was cast as Han solo…im officially out..No more star wars movies for me..I dont need ep.7 just kinda done pic.twitter.com/kuWoX5XjRk
— Jillstine2016 (@Nekopride) May 6, 2016
I'm glad han solo died
— British Cunt (@Official_ITBE) May 6, 2016
Others questioned the wisdom of the movie at all. Doubting whether the franchise needs yet one more film. Judging by how well “Captain America: Civil War” has done, you can’t blame Disney for trying, unless you’re a Star Wars fan of course:
https://twitter.com/hannaahjane/status/728524150898360321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
@Alba_Forever I don't see the need of this movie, though! Han Solo was ALREADY young, what's the meaning of it?!
— La gattara (@OfficialGattara) May 6, 2016
This Han Solo movie is going to kill Star Wars completely
— Craiggg (@craiggarnham95) May 6, 2016
In any case, not everyone hated the choice, and it’s really hard to imagine a Star Wars fan missing any of the movies.
I cannot imagine a better director-casting combo for Baby Han Solo than Lord&Miller and Alden Ehrenreich. Just perfect. That movie will slay
— Kevin McCabe (@kev_mccabe) May 6, 2016
But if this is truly Disney’s choice, Ehrenreich should respect the fandom and take the advice of his older (er, younger?) Han Solo self:
