Technology serves some pretty fantastic purposes, but there may not be another head-scratching use of the gifts of the modern age than seeing a fan retrofit a new property to be more like the version they hold most dear. The latest example comes when Harrison Ford's face is used to replace Alden Ehrenreich in a trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Ford will forever be associated with the character, but the upcoming prequel showing the character in his younger years required new casting. There was always going to be someone who didn't like the choice of Ehrenreich, and now Harrison Ford-enthusiast, Nick Acosta, has used the powers of technology to show us a new version of the film digitally forcing a young Harrison Ford into the movie.
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[EMBED_VIMEO]https://vimeo.com/269521031[/EMBED_VIMEO]
Remember how weird it was to see a young Princess Leia receive the Death Star's instructions in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? Or how a de-aged Grand Moff Tarkin took you out of the film? Well, prepare for that times 11 when watching Acosta's True Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Acosta explained why he took the time to insert Ford into the Solo trailer with the following statement: "Watching the trailer featuring new actor Alden Ehrenreich in the titular role it’s hard to get used to. I couldn’t help wonder what this movie would look like if you could magically transport a young Harrison Ford to play his iconic character. So using a variety of digital compositing software and some editing tricks I tried to make that happen."
Those who can't wrap their minds around Ehrenreich's portrayal may find some pleasure in watching this Ford's version of a younger Han Solo. Most fans may agree it's strange and unusual -- especially seeing Ehrenreich's wavy hair transported onto Ford's chiseled face, and his voice barely aligning with Ford's moving lips.
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We'll give Acosta credit for looking for the best clips of a young Harrison Ford, as he was sure to use footage that predates his first appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope. However, a Star Wars fan digitally altering Solo before it has even released in order to make it seem more authentic to the original films is some seriously meta George Lucas-style irony.
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 L3-37, Paul Bettany as Dryden Vos, and Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett. The film opens May 25.
(via io9)