Dave Franco Explains What It's Like to Audition for Han Solo
If reports about Alden Ehrenreich being the new front-runner for the role of young Han Solo can be believed, the process of casting that key part in the upcoming Solo-focused Star Wars anthology movie is winding down. But that doesn’t mean that some of the contenders aren’t discussing that process.
Related: Chewbacca to Appear in New Han Solo Movie, Confirms Disney’s Bob Iger
During a recent interview with MTV News’s Josh Horowitz, Dave Franco — who, along with several other Hollywood up-and-comers, was vying to become Chewbacca’s BFF — said the audition was “like most other auditions.” Except, let’s be real, it can’t possibly be because it’s Han freakin’ Solo we’re talking about here. Watch below:
Says Franco: “I went in one time for [casting director] Jeanne McCarthy, who I’ve auditioned for a million times before, and we just had a really fun time together in the room. Then, like, you know, because of the nature of what it is, it just explodes everywhere. And it’s like, oh my God, where everyone’s coming up and being like, ‘Dude, what’s going on?’ And I’m like: I don’t know. You know as much as me.”
When asked if he tried to match his mannerisms to Harrison Ford’s, Franco said no, because he’s “not good with impressions.” (Um, we’ve seen your De Niro, and respectfully beg to differ.)
“I think that’s the reason it’s so hard to cast this role, too,” the actor says. “It’s like, do they want someone to perfectly embody who Harrison Ford is, or do they want to go a completely different route? Do they want someone to look really similar to him? So, I don’t know. I think they’re struggling with that.”
If they want someone who looks a lot like him, the obvious answer is Anthony Ingruber, who played a young Ford in The Age of Adaline and so closely resembles the original Han Solo, minus a few years, that it’s spooky. Also, when it comes to Han Solo impressions, he’s actually pretty good. We’re just sayin’.
(Photo: Lucasfilm)
