Hail, Caesar! actor to take on iconic role made famous by Harrison Ford.

Alden Ehrenreich is to star as the young Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars spin-off movie, according to reports.

Disney is believed to have auditioned more than 2,500 actors for the role made famous by Harrison Ford with names including Miles Teller, Dave Franco and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

But Ehrenreich, best known for roles in the Coen brothers’ Hail, Caesar! and YA adaptation Beautiful Creatures, has clinched the role.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, directors of The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, are making the film that is thought to be titled Han Solo: A Star Wars Story.

On ‘Star Wars Day’ (May 4), Miller tweeted an image of the character’s gun and said: “Can’t wait to getting ‘shooting’!”

Han Solo teaser image

The film is set for release May 25, 2018 and will be the second Star Wars spin-off after Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is due for release December 16, 2016.

Disney could not be reached for comment.