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SALT LAKE CITY — Everyone seems to have Star Wars fever with all of these announcements about new episodes as well as solo films. Speaking of solo films, Disney has announced plans for a solo Han Solo film. Yes, that's a lot of Solo.
Anyway, the film would focus on Han and it has fans ecstatic at the idea of getting a deeper look at our favorite anti-hero.
Harrison Ford will forever be Han Solo, but it will be fun to see a new actor take over as Han. Our resident movie nerds at ksl.com, John Clyde and Travis Poppleton, have put together their own lists as to who should take over and argued with one another about why they are right.
Here are the 10 actors John and Travis have come up with.
River Phoenix - Travis Pick
Travis - I don't know how you have a conversation about someone playing a young Harrison Ford without taking a moment to state the obvious -- it should have been River Phoenix. George Lucas knew it, Steve Spielberg knew it, and in a perfect world, it would still be possible. So out of respect for the late actor, I'm tipping my Indiana Jones hat to the guy who would have been a perfect Han Solo.
John - Despite the obvious setback of being deceased, Travis is 100-percent right. That would have been epic. Phoenix was a talent that was taken from us much too soon.
Nicholas Hoult - John Pick
John - Hoult is gaining popularity and after seeing his quirky turn as an out-of-place zombie in "Warm Bodies" I think he has the humor and odd charm to do the Solo part justice.
Travis - I liked Hoult in the latest X-Men movie and I'm genuinely excited to see what he does with "Jack the Giant Slayer," but I'm going to disagree with this pick. Hoult has a really distinct look that I don't believe would transfer well, and in a lot of ways, he still feels like that little kid from "About a Boy." At the end of the day, I just don't see him passing for scoundrel.
#pollwho
Taylor Kitsch - Travis Pick
Travis - I'm not sure if Kitsch and Disney are still on speaking terms after the financial disaster that was "John Carter," but if they are, I think he should be in the running. His portrayal of Gambit in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was one of the only redeeming elements of the film, and with the right script, Kitsch could bring some credibility to the direction Disney is taking the character, and also his own career.
John - I have to assume Travis is hoping for the complete demise of the Star Wars franchise with this pick. Kitsch starred in "John Carter" and "Battleship." I think that's all that really needs to be said. Even if you like him I'm pretty sure the name Kitsch is synonymous with box office poison.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson - John Pick
John - Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a bit of an odd pick, I admit, but the kid can act. In the last few years Taylor-Johnson has been able to play a nerdy wanna-be superhero as well as an officer in 19th-century Russia. He is an odd choice but he could be a fun twist on the character.
Travis - Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a pretty interesting choice, and I'm going to give this one to John. I wouldn't have picked him originally, but he's crossing genres with ease and it's always fun to hear people get upset every time a British actor plays an American.
#polllist
Michael Angarano - Travis Pick
Travis - Angarano is another actor who's been around for a while but hasn't found a large audience. There are definitely pockets of fans, but since Angarano has grown-up in Hollywood, most people have a hard time pinpointing a look or age when first thinking of him. Now 25, he's sporting the perfect vibe for a Solo origin story and if this year's "Empire State" does well, who knows, it might just be the grown-up exposure he needs to catch Disney's eye come casting time.
John - Let me start by saying that I really like Angarano as an actor, but I just can't see him as Solo. The kid can act and has been in some good movies, but if Travis thought Nicholas Hoult had the wrong look for Solo he should take a look at his pick of Angarano before casting stones.
John Krasinski - John Pick
John - Yes it's bizarre, but it could work. John Krasinski is more than just Jim Halpert. He's proven he can be more serious and was in the running for Captain America. He's got potential, he's got comic timing. He'd be a bit of a long shot, but he could be Han Solo for a new generation. Just trust me.
Travis - I'm still chuckling at this one. I'll leave it to John to persuade you, but I think he gets the award for thinking outside the box. Still, there's no way Krasinski delivers "I know," or "Never tell me the odds," with any level of credibility.
Andrew Garfield - Travis Pick
Travis - The Andrew Garfield in the latest "Spider-Man" obviously isn't Han Solo, but that's high school Garfield. The truth is, Garfield is approaching 30 and has a similar look and build to the Han of "New Hope." If he could ditch his breaky voice of "Social Network" and "Spidey," he could be a surprise choice for the role. If he can't, than just throw him into that John Krasinski pile John came up with.
John - I thought about Garfield and I can see where Travis is coming from. Based off of "Social Network" alone the kid can act, but he's already Spider-Man. Spread the Hollywood love man and let someone else get a chance.
Chace Crawford - John Pick
John - Yes, Chace Crawford is famous from "Gossip Girl" and yes, he was in "What to Expect When You're Expecting," but the kid really isn't a bad actor. He's got the look and I truly think he could surprise some people in the role.
Travis - If handsome is the only qualification needed to play the next Han Solo, then fine, Chace Crawford gets a nod. However, I submit "Gossip Girl" and "What to Expect When You're Expecting" are projects that should immediately disqualify you from playing one of the coolest characters in the galaxy.
Jason Clarke - Travis Pick
Travis - I know the rumors are surrounding an origin story for Han Solo, but if that rumor is somehow wrong, and it's post-original-trilogy, Clarke would absolutely shoot Greedo first. He's got the rough exterior and underline charm of Solo, and if Disney is simply planning a grittier mission for the character, and not trying to write where he came from, no one would question Clarke's ability to take names in this next adventure.
John - I'll give it to Travis on this one. Clarke was fantastic in "Zero Dark Thirty" and he totally has the look and feel of a Solo. Clarke is an Aussie who is quickly becoming a star. If you haven't heard of him you soon will with roles in upcoming high-profile films like "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," "White House Down" and "The Great Gatsby." I'd say this is likely Travis' best pick. Congrats Travis, you just managed to avoid going O-fer on your picks. I kid, I kid.
Chris Pratt - John Pick
John - You may recognize Chris Pratt as the loveable Andy Dwyer on "Parks and Recreation." Pratt is hilarious in that show and it may seem like he is totally the wrong choice for Han. Before you get judgmental on me take a minute. Pratt was excellent in a more serious role in "Zero Dark Thirty" and has now been cast as the lead in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy." Han Solo needs to be able to dominate physically and make you laugh; Pratt is the perfect fit for that.
Travis - Pratt may be the only guy on either list that could sell the goofy look of self-satisfaction Han flashes when things go well for the Millennium Falcon pilot. "Zero Dark Thirty" proved Pratt could play rugged and now that he's been cast as a lead in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy," picturing him as a space-wandering swashbuckler is getting easier and easier. Originally, I thought this was John's worst pick, but after some consideration, I believe it's his best.
What do you think of the picks? Who's your favorite on the list? Who should have been on the list that John and Travis missed? Who had the best list? Let us know on the comment boards, Facebook or send an email.
