Alden Ehrenreich lands Han Solo

Alden Ehrenreich has landed the role of young Han Solo in the 'Star Wars' spin-off movie.

The 'Hail Caesar!' actor is reportedly finalising the deal with Disney and Lucasfilms but has been offered the highly sought-after part, following an extensive search that saw the studios audition almost a dozen young Hollywood actors to step into the shoes of Harrison Ford - who originally played the iconic space smuggler in the science fiction franchise.

Alden, 22, beat off competition from 'Whiplash' star Miles Teller, 'The Fault In Our Stars' actor Ansel Elgort, Dave Franco, Jack Reynor, Scott Eastwood and Eddie The Eagle's Taron Egerton, all of whom were eagre to take on the desirable role.

Few story details have been revealed about exactly what events in Han Solo's life prior to his appearance on screen in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' in 1977 will be told, however, it is thought that Chewbacca and Han Solo are set to reunite in the upcoming origins movie about the characters.

What's more, prior to Disney's 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm, the 'Star Wars Expanded Universe' line of books and comics described several stories about the gunslinger's younger days and it is thought these will inspire the plot line.

The LEGO Movie's Phil Lord and Chris Miller are set to direct, and the pair confirmed it will be centred on "an origin story about Han Solo and Chewie."

The film is currently thought to be titled 'Han Solo: A Star Wars Story' and is set to be released on May 25, 2018.