It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford as Han Solo, despite Alden Ehrenreich giving it his best in Solo: A Star Wars Story. However, like most movies, Star Wars had countless auditions for its lead roles. But George Lucas made the perfect decision in casting Harrison Ford, who brought charisma, wit, and a rugged charm to the character that resonated with audiences and became synonymous with the name, Han Solo. Ford’s natural chemistry with his co-stars and his ability to portray the character’s complexities made him the perfect fit for the role, but there were a few other Hollywood legends in the running to bring Han Solo to life.
During a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Sylvester Stallone discussed his experience working with several prominent film stars in The Expendables 3, including sharing the screen with Harrison Ford. He also recounted his audition for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars.
Sylvester Stallone Shares His Star Wars Audition Experience
After the massive success of his self-written and starred film, Rocky, Sylvester Stallone secured an audition for the role of Han Solo. However, he decided to withdraw from the audition before showcasing his talents. Stallone remembered that both he and George Lucas realized the role wasn’t the right fit during the process. He noticed that Lucas and producer Gary Kurtz seemed disinterested in him for the part, making it clear that it wasn’t meant to be.
As stated in an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Stallone explained how he turned up to the audition, but immediately got the feeling that Director George Lucas was not interested in him. Picking up the vibe of the room, Stallone immediately withdrew, telling Lucas “I would look like crap in spandex leotards and a ray gun. Guys in space don’t have this face, I get it.”
Other actors up for Han Solo included Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds, who both infamously turned down the role, opening the door for Ford. However, Kurt Russell was also in the mix for not one but two Star Wars roles.
Imagining a Different Star Wars
Had Stallone been cast as Han Solo, the Star Wars franchise would be vastly different. While his intensity would have suited the action-packed scenes, it’s hard to imagine him capturing Han Solo’s iconic wit and humor like Harrison Ford did. The romantic chemistry between Han and Leia would have taken a different direction as well, with Stallone potentially lacking the playful dynamic Ford brought to the role.
Considering Stallone’s tendency to revisit past projects, it’s reasonable to assume that he would have embraced recent Star Wars films. This might have resulted in a more prominent portrayal of the character, as Stallone may not have opted for an early exit as Ford did.
Source: Youtube
