Disney has officially begun production on Han Solo: A Star Wars Story, and released a cast photo for Day One of filming.

A few years ago, when Disney first announced the new trilogy of Star Wars films, they also alluded to a series of standalone films taking place in the universe of the Force.

The first of these, of course, was Rogue One, which we now know was a smashing success. Along the production line, it was also announced that we would be getting a few character-centric solo films. Speculation begun, as it does, on just who these stories would be about. More so, who we, the fans, wanted them to be about. With a rousing, but cautious cheer, we all shouted for Yoda, Boba Fett, Obi-Wan, Bib Fortuna, and of course, Han Solo. That lovable scoundrel himself. The question was raised then, “Who would play him?”. Of course we wanted Harrison Ford. But let’s be honest, that’s not going to happen.

Well, now we know. The Han Solo solo movie has begun principal photography, and we have our cast. Playing Han will be relatively new face, Alden Ehrenreich. Alden has had some pretty high-profile roles as of late, but if you’re a Supernatural fan, you’ll recognize him as the Wendigo from the 2nd episode of the series! He recently had a generous role in the Coen Brother’s film, Hail, Ceasar!.
As Han’s semi-friend, the inimitable Lando Calrissian, we’ll be getting geek-favorite actor Donald Glover. Glover is best known for his role as Troy in Community. Chewbacca will, of course, be joining us again (it doesn’t seem like we’ll ever have canonical closure on the story of how they actually met), now being played by Finnish basketball player and actor, Joonas Suotamo, I haven’t yet heard if Peter Mayhew will be working on the film (last I heard his health is failing, so send our OG Chewie some positive vibes!!).
Emilia Clarke, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Woody Harrelson are also on board as yet-uncomfirmed characters. However, it has been rumored that Harrelson will be playing Garris Shrike, Han’s mentor and a character resurrected from the old Star Wars Expanded Universe now decanonized and rebranded as Star Wars Legends. Particularly, the first book from the Han Solo Trilogy, The Paradise Snare.
As the film takes place before the events of A New Hope, the current rumor-mill has been that the film will be adapted from that book series, lending credence to the rumor that Emilia Clarke will be playing Bria Tharsen, who is a love interest of Han’s, also from The Paradise Snare.