Is Nottingham-trained Jack O’Connell set to become the new Han Solo?

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Image - Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0. Image - Gordon Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0

Nottingham-trained actor Jack O’Connell could be close to landing his biggest role yet – the part of Han Solo in a hugh Star Wars spin-off movie.

The 25-year-old actor, who attended the Television Workshop, in Stoney Street, is rumoured to be being considered to play the star role.

Although producers remain characteristically tight-lipped about who will bag the part, several film websites have repeatedly linked O’Connell with the project.

Tweet: Variety reporter Justin Kroll says O’Connell is in the running

Others have put him forward as a fan favourite candidate.

Jack’s first film role was in This Is England with his most well-known appearance coming in Unbroken.

He has also starred in popular TV series such as The Bill, Waterloo Road and Holby City early in his career.

The as-yet untitled Han Solo movie by Disney will tell the story of the early life of the character made famous by Hollywood legend Harrison Ford.

Rumoured Han Solo part Candidates 

Jack O’Connell
Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!)
Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service)
Blake Jenner (Glee)
Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction)

Jack is believed to be up against around another four candidates for the lead role, three of which have already tested in London.

These five have beaten off an initial field of 2,500 actors who auditioned for the role or sent in tapes to be considered.

The film is due to be released on May 25 2018 with rumours that whoever captures the role will also earn a cameo appearance in Rouge One: A Star Wars Story, due to be released later this year.