WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Solo: A Star Wars Story, in theaters now.
Production of Solo: A Star Wars Story was troubled, to say the least, marked by the firing of original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and the hiring of Ron Howard, who re-shot 70 percent of the film, as well as speculation that its star wasn't equipped for the massive role he'd been given. Rumors persisted for months there was such concern about Alden Ehrenreich's performance that Lucasfilm hired an acting coach. However, those turned out to be overblown.
Instead, he turned to Harrison Ford for insight into the character, although it's unknown what wisdom the franchise icon imparted. But that should be heartening for anyone who might have doubted the actor's ability to emulate the scoundrel's charm and charisma.
Still, charm and charisma are just two of the qualities that endeared Ford's Han Solo to viewers of the original trilogy. There was always a sense of danger when he appeared on screen, starting with his introduction in 1977's A New Hope, when viewers were unsure of his trustworthiness. We knew he was dangerous by the way he dealt with Greedo, by definitely shooting first; we knew he was witty as he parried with Leia's barbs; and we knew he was loyal when he returned to help destroy the Death Star. Many of those traits were in the script, but it was Ford's performance that made them believable.
So how does Ehrenreich compare as Han Solo?
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To analyze his performance, we'll have to explore the events of the film in order to determine the demands it makes of the character. Solo deals with several heavy themes, and features the deaths and treachery of multiple different characters. Han loses his first love Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) at the beginning of the film, and does everything he can to try and get her back. When he does, he's sent on what seems to be a suicide mission, but he accomplishes the task with his signature bravado, skill and wit.
There's a lot of emotion involved with the character, but it's always subtle. The perfect example of that is the scene in which Han reunites with Qi'ra. Han Solo has always feigned disinterest and confidence rather than reveal vulnerability. Ehrenreich plays the young rogue as a relatively inexperienced criminal who hasn't yet developed the cynicism that became the character's signature, so it's understandable that he would brighten up when he discovers Qi'ra, alive and well on Dryden Vos' yacht.
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He drops his sardonic disposition momentarily, and reveals something we saw only a handful of times in the original films: genuine warmth. However, Ehrenreich never breaks character; he remains subdued in his body language. Han has never been one to jump for joy or rush into someone's embrace. He keeps his cool, which is arguably one of his most recognizable qualities.
It's something we see in almost every scene that demands it. There's just a hint of nervousness when Han meets Dryden Vos, but he doesn't panic or stammer. He's calm, and constantly thinking of a backup plan. Those qualities are highlighted during the Kessel Run, which is fast-paced and fraught with peril. But Ehrenreich stays true to the character and remains relatively calm and focused, careful to express just the right amount of uneasiness, just like Ford's Han did when he flew the Millennium Falcon past a squad of Imperial fighters in Empire Strikes Back.
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Ehrenreich was expected to adapt to those events while staying true to the confident, cynical character. That is to say, unlike Ford, Ehrenreich didn't have the luxury of bringing himself into the role, and yet the young actor nails it, going so far as to mimic the way Ford held Solo's blaster in the original trilogy.
Ford knows Han Solo better than anyone; that swagger was all Ford. It's why he could improvise lines without fear that it would seem out of character, such as his iconic reply of "I know" to Leia's declaration of love in The Empire Strikes Back.
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Ehrenreich's performance may not be what fans expected, but you'd be hard pressed to find any actor who could pull off a young Han Solo that would please all Star Wars devotees. However, his portrayal is completely consistent with the character, which is why the ending of Solo feels like an almost completely organic transition into the events of A New Hope. Throughout Solo, it becomes easier to understand Han's cynicism and arrogance, and therefore easier to believe this is the scoundrel audiences will eventually come to know and love. It's no wonder that Ehrenreich's performance has been praised by critics, as well as Harrison Ford himself. It gives us hope for those potential sequels.
Directed by Ron Howard, Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca. They’re joined by Thandie Newton as Val, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37, Paul Bettany as Dryden Vos and Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett. The film is playing in theaters nationwide.