Han Solo: A Star Wars Story's Alden Ehrenreich Talks Casting & Chewbacca

In just over a month, fans will learn how difficult it was for the Rebellion to nab plans for the Empire's Death Star when Rogue One: A Star Wars Story debuts. The anticipated film is the first standalone film of the franchise, but Lucasfilm already has plans for other endeavors. The next project will follow a young Han Solo and show fans how the pilot become the character we all know and love. Alden Ehrenreich will play the iconic space smuggler, but he's apparently hard-pressed to spoil any secrets about the film.

Recently, Variety had a chance to speak with the actor at the premiere for Rules Don't Apply, and Ehrenreich said a few words about the film's recent casting news.

"I'm allowed to say that I'm really excited about Donald Glover's casting," he said. "I think he's going to be great in the role because he's such a talented and interesting guy."

It wasn't long ago that fans learned that actor and musician Donald Glover had been cast as Lando Calrissian. In Star Wars, the character is a well-known friend to Han Solo, usually. Their relationship has been a turbulent one throughout the canon, but Han Solo did manage to knick his beloved starship, the Millennium Falcon, from Lando in a card game. At the very least, he can be grateful for that win.

Ehrenreich went on to confirm that Chewbacca would be in the film. However, the actor did not that the Wookie's inclusion was all but assured. "I know that's not a huge spoiler," Ehrenreich joked.

The actor did say we would see Chewbacca de-aged just as Han Solo is in the film. "He's as much younger as I am in the film," Ehrenreich explained. "So, I think he's like 190 — or something — years old. I don't think there's a huge growth spurt for him from 190 to 210, so he's probably about the same height."

So far, there is no word on who will play Chewbacca in Han Solo: A Star Wars Story. Since Ehrenreich thinks the phaser-toting character will be about the same height, it is totally possible that Peter Mayhew will reprise his role as Chewie.

If you are wondering whether Ehrenreich has had a chance to meet up with the original Han Solo, Harrison Ford - then prepare to be letdown. During an interview with Yahoo! Movies, the actor said he has not met the legendary actor yet but would love to do so. However, he did reveal he's met with Donald Glover and that the two hit it off.

NEXT: Han Solo Film Will Be Complex, Subversive / Han Solo: A Star Wars Story May Show How Han Solo Won The Millennium Falcon / Donald Glover Cast As Lando Calrissian / Alden Ehrenreich Cast As Young Han Solo

The Star Wars Story films look to offer a unique take on the galaxy, starting with Gareth Edwards' direction of Rogue One. Even in the episodic films, the sequel trilogy of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII, and Star Wars: Episode IX all hired disparate directors with their own unique styles in J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, and Colin Trevorrow, respectively. It's clear the Lucasfilm, and 4-years-yesterday owner Disney, higher-ups want these movies to each feel like Star Wars, but also feel like a unique work from a unique directing team.

Han Solo: A Star Wars Story is planned for a 2018 release.

[H/T] Variety