Han Solo spin-off: Newcomer Alden Ehrenreich is frontrunner for role

Rising star Alden Ehrenreich is being touted as the frontrunner to play the young Han Solo.

The US star, who recently appeared in Coen Brothers comedy Hail, Caesar! is rumoured to be in late-stage talks to take on the sought-after role.

According to Deadline, the 26-year-old is being lined up to play the iconic character after screen tests for Disney.

While a number of young, rising stars are thought to have been in the running - including Taron Egerton and Jack Reynor - sources suggest that the producers have decided on Ehrenreich.

The Star Wars spin-off, which is slated for release in May 2018, has been shrouded in secrecy since it was announced last year.

The Lego Movie filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are on board to direct while Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy is producing.

According to reports, the film will focus on Han Solo’s early days before he became involved with the rebel alliance.

While Ehrenreich isn’t exactly a household name just yet, he has appeared in films including Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine and Francis Ford Coppola’s Tetro.

The actor has also been cast in Warren Beatty’s untitled Howard Hughes project.