Rami Malek Almost Starred in Solo: A Star Wars Story

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Rami Malek’s fame skyrocketed with his role in Mr. Robot in 2015, but his acting prowess extends far beyond this and the Oscar-winning performance in Bohemian Rhapsody. Throughout his illustrious career, Malek has worked with acclaimed directors such as David Lowery, Destin Daniel Cretton, Spike Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and numerous others. Before starring in The Amateur in April 2025, Malek had already accumulated an impressive resume that many actors would covet.

Following the tremendous success of Mr. Robot, Rami Malek almost starred in a major blockbuster that could have significantly altered his career path. With Disney acquiring Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise, they began to envision spin-off films like Solo: A Star Wars Story. One actor under consideration for the young Han Solo character was none other than Rami Malek, who is known for portraying Freddie Mercury in a different role.

Rami Malek’s Solo Adventure

In early 2016, it appeared that every young male actor of a certain age was being considered for the role of Han Solo. This was especially true since Star Wars: The Force Awakens had just been released and broke box office records as the biggest domestic film ever. Although Disney’s Star Wars franchise is now seen in a more complex light, at that time it seemed like a treasure trove of opportunities for up-and-coming leading men. John Boyega was one of the first actors linked to the project, with him (alongside several other male performers) auditioning towards the end of 2015.

By March 2016, the selection process had been narrowed to Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Reynor, and Taron Egerton as strong contenders for the role, with Miles Teller and Ansel Elgort also being mentioned as potential candidates. Eventually, it was Ehrenreich who won the part in May 2016. Rami Malek’s name wasn’t brought up again as a significant choice for Han Solo, which seems somewhat predictable given his busy schedule. His TV show “Mr. Robot” ran for four seasons, each season consisting of 10 to 13 episodes released almost annually. This demanding workload left little time for Star Wars films.

As a film enthusiast, I’m grateful that Rami Malek didn’t land the role of Han Solo in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” If Disney and Lucasfilm had managed to synchronize schedules, it might have caused immense complications for both productions. The prolonged filming of “Solo” serves as a stark reminder of the potential havoc delays can wreak on a project. Considering the production troubles that plagued “Solo,” it’s possible that “Mr. Robot” could have suffered similarly if Malek had been involved. Instead, Malek missed out on emulating Harrison Ford’s iconic character, while Alden Ehrenreich stepped into a pivotal role in the Star Wars spin-off film.

Why Losing Solo Was A Win For Rami Malek

By not getting the role of Han Solo, Rami Malek found an opportunity to star in the 2017 film “Bohemian Rhapsody”. This Freddie Mercury biopic faced a challenging production process, but it ultimately became a blockbuster hit and earned Malek an Oscar for Best Actor. Instead of being overshadowed by Harrison Ford, Malek chose to break free from his reserved, quiet character in “Mr. Robot” and deliver a powerful performance that ruled the 2018-2019 awards season.

The failure of the movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story” at the box office, which fell significantly short of earning over $400 million globally, not only eased the disappointment of missing out on a major role but also cost Disney a substantial amount. Moreover, it served as an example of how prequels can sometimes struggle to succeed. After a few years, Alden Ehrenreich managed to regain his acting prominence with notable roles in films like “Cocaine Bear” (2023) and “Oppenheimer” (2023). It’s possible that Rami Malek assuming the role of young Han Solo might have had a similar impact on his career and halted his momentum from “Mr. Robot.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve steered clear of the big-budget blockbusters that dominate today’s film scene, with a few exceptions like playing a James Bond villain in “No Time to Die”. Instead, my cinematic adventures in the 2020s have been centered around mid-budget dramas such as “The Amateur”, “Amsterdam”, “The Little Things”, and the upcoming “Nuremberg”. These roles remind me of my experience in “Bohemian Rhapsody” and seem to resonate strongly with audiences. It appears that this approach, rather than venturing into a galaxy far, far away, has been incredibly beneficial for my career, especially considering my Academy Award win.

The Amateur is now playing in theaters, Solo: A Star Wars Story is now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-04-20 07:10