'Star Wars: Rogue One' May Include A Cameo From A Young Han Solo

Fresh off the news that Lucasfilm and Disney have crafted a short list of actors to star in its “Star Wars Anthology” film about a young Han Solo, people are wondering why there’s a rush to cast a protagonist in a movie that’s so far away. Now, new information indicates that a young Han Solo may appear on screen sooner than his standalone solo adventure (pun intended).

It was previously reported that the film studios had narrowed down the list of young men in Hollywood that could play the part of a young Han Solo standalone movie, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. On that short list are: Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Dave Franco, Jack Reynor, Scott Eastwood, Logan Lerman, Emory Cohen and Blake Jenner. Although it’s unclear which, if any, of these young men will take on the role in 2018, the casting decision looks like it has been thrust into full gear.

According to Variety, the film doesn’t shoot until next January, but sources inform the outlet that the entire process has been rushed to accommodate the inclusion of the young Han Solo in the upcoming “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” The film is a prequel set between the end of the prequel trilogy and the beginning of the original films. As a result, it would match the timeline perfectly for a young, never-before-seen Han Solo character to appear on screen. In other words, although the film doesn’t have a title and will come after both “Rogue One” and “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” young Han Solo may show up as early as the Dec. 16 release date of the first “Anthology” film.

Whichever actor is chosen to portray the iconic character on film will have some big shoes to fill, especially now. After [SPOILER ALERT FOR "THE FORCE AWAKENS"] Harrison Ford made his triumphant return to the franchise in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the events of the movie have left the Solo legacy on the tip of everyone’s tongues. With the character meeting his end at the hands of his son, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), in order to solidify his place with the dark side of the Force, whoever Lucasfilm and Disney chooses to be the new Han Solo will officially be the only on-screen version of the character left.