Young Han Solo being cast for new Star Wars movie

HOLLYWOOD’S young guns are jostling to play a young Han Solo in the new Star Wars movie - but who is the favourite to land the role?

Actor Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian (L) and actor as Harrison Ford Han Solo in scene from Star Wars film 'The Empire Strikes Back' - movies

CASTING is underway for an actor to play a young Han Solo in a new Star Wars movie with a number of Hollywood’s young guns jostling for the role.

Disney and Lucasfilm have started the hunt which has seen more than 2500 actors audition for the role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the running ... Ansel Elgort. Picture: Getty

Casting ... Harrison Ford as Han Solo. Picture: Supplied

Actors who have read in person or auditioned via videotape include Dave Franco, 30, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 25, Whiplash’s Miles Teller, 28, Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, 28 and The Fault in Our Stars’ Ansel Elgort, 21.

“This has been the easiest movie to audition for,” an agent with a client who has auditioned said. “They are seeing everyone.”

Mentioned ... Ed Westwick. Picture: Getty

Highly considered ... Miles Teller is in demand after his role in Whiplash. Picture: Getty

The spin-off film will focus on the younger Han Solo and how he became the smuggler and thief that Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi encountered in the first Star Wars movies.

Casting agents are wanting someone charming, with a sense of humour and who can handle the action scenes.

Fan favourite ... Anthony Ingruber. Picture: Splash

Auditioned ... Dave Franco. Picture: Getty

Someone who looks like a young Harrison Ford, who was 35 when he made the first Star Wars movie, is also desirable.

Fans have lobbied online for Age of Adeline’s Anthony Ingruber to land the role because he is perceived to look like Ford when he was younger.