Big Trouble in Little Endor? Kurt Russell could’ve been Han Solo in Star Wars

By Jason Struss Published May 22, 2024

Man points his gun in Big Trouble in Little China. — 20th Century Fox

The first Star Wars is a classic that kicked off a movie franchise that has earned billions of dollars just in ticket sales alone. But in 1976, it was a silly little sci-fi project from the kid who struck gold with American Graffiti in 1973. Still, it was appealing enough to attract some talent to audition for it, especially its three lead roles: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.

Earlier this year, Jodie Foster revealed she had once auditioned for Leia and was good enough to be offered the part. For Luke, ’70s teen heartthrob William Katt unsuccessfully tried out for the part. However, it was the character of Han Solo that drew newcomers and veterans alike. (Can you blame them?)

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Among them was a fresh-faced Kurt Russell, who, at this point in his career, was trying to make the successful transition from Disney child star (he was in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and Superdad) to legitimate actor. In a recently resurfaced audition tape seen below, Russell reads a key scene from Star Wars with an unidentified actress playing Leia.

Kurt Russell as Han Solo in a Star Wars audition pic.twitter.com/gavXagJkXb

— Eyes On Cinema (@RealEOC) May 20, 2024

After watching the clip, I have to say that Russell kinda nails it. No disrespect to Harrison Ford, but Russell has the same gruff manner, and innate charm, that made Han Solo one of the best sci-fi characters ever. I can see Russell saying “I know” to Fisher’s Leia at the end of The Empire Strikes Back and I can picture Russell as Solo looking confused as he figures out Luke and Leia are siblings in Return of the Jedi. Hell, I can even see an older Russell come back for The Force Awakens and play opposite a stoic Adam Driver as his bad boy son Kylo Ren. Man, when you think about it, the Sequel Trilogy really stinks.

Strangely, while I can see Russell replacing Ford as Solo, the same can’t be said for another iconic role of Ford’s: Indiana Jones. Similarly, Ford couldn’t quite pull off Snake Plissken from Escape from New York. Both actors aren’t interchangeable, and they each have their own distinctive qualities that have made them icons. But for Han? Yeah, Kurt Russell wouldn’t have been bad at all.

Section Editor, Entertainment

Jason Struss joined Digital Trends in 2022 and has never lived to regret it. He is the current Section Editor of the…

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Star Wars could’ve had Christopher Walken as Han Solo and Jodie Foster as Princess Leia

An old man talks in Dune: Part Two.

The great thing about a hit movie is that you tend to find out things during interviews, premieres, and press conferences that would have never surfaced otherwise. Dune: Part Two is one such movie. In the lead-up to the movie's blockbuster opening weekend, we've discovered Josh Brolin's hidden talents as a poet and photographer, Javier Bardem's dedication to his children, Zendaya's love for the sci-fi classic Metropolis, and Austin Butler's appreciation for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The most recent revelation, however, tops all of those. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Christopher Walken, who plays Shaddam IV, the film's fearsome Emperor, explains why he came out of a four-year break from acting in films and joined Dune: Part Two. One reason was due to his admiration for the first film, which cemented Denis Villeneuve's status as one of the best sci-fi directors ever, and his appreciation of the sequel's impressive cast, which also includes Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, and Dave Bautista.

Entertainment

Don’t let these 3 hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows fly under your radar

A group of well-dressed people crowd by a doorway, looking shocked in The Residence.

Every month, there's always one, maybe two, new shows that get all the attention. Sometimes, it's a popular show returning with a new season. This March, many less high-profile shows are flying under the radar. You might have heard of these shows but weren't quite sure what they were about or even if they're worth watching.
We suspect that you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give any of these shows your time. Check out an episode or two, and it will likely lead to binging the whole thing. Two of the three series release all season one episodes at once, while the third will tease you with the first two episodes this month. What are these three hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows you shouldn't let fly under your radar? Have a look.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.
Deli Boys (March 6)
Deli Boys | Official Trailer | Hulu
Already receiving rave reviews, Deli Boys is a hilarious comedy about two Pakistani American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), who discover that their father was much more than a convenience store owner. When he suddenly passes, the brothers discover that dear Dad was actually embroiled in a life of crime.
If they don’t want to lose everything their family has worked for, they need to take over as the new crime bosses. But this is not a life they know anything about. As one of the most anticipated Hulu shows of 2025, Deli Boys’ first season delights thanks to its clever one-liners, talented cast, and bizarre storylines.
Stream Deli Boys on Hulu.
The Residence (March 20)
The Residence | Official Trailer | Netflix
The best way to describe The Residence is that it's like Knives Out in the White House with a gender-swapped Benoit Blanc-like character. The lead is Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an equally eccentric yet brilliant detective who consults with the local police. When the White House chief usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito in a role that was originally supposed to be played by the late Andre Braugher), winds up dead, she’s called in to investigate. A state dinner is going on downstairs with officials from Australia, and Cupp orders that no one leave until she questions all 140+ people present.
The Residence is plenty of fun, mixing the usual whodunit formula with Shonda Rhimes' unique creative flair that will keep you guessing from one episode, even a moment, to the next. Aduba is perfect as Cupp, who combines an oddball personality — including repeatedly birdwatching in the middle of a murder case — with a subtle sarcasm. Through it all, however, she throws down astute observations that teach everyone she knows exactly what she’s doing, even if it doesn’t look like it. If you love the whodunit genre, The Residence won’t disappoint.

Stream The Residence on Netflix.
The Studio (March 26)
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
One of Apple TV+’s quieter new show releases is The Studio, which has gotten overwhelmingly positive reception in early reviews. Seth Rogen created and stars in this comedy as Matt Remick, a man who longs to run a Hollywood studio. When he finally realizes this dream, however, the reality of the complicated balancing act of managing budgets, changing economic and societal times, corporate demands, and eccentric actors sinks in.
The Studio has an incredible cast that includes Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kathryn Hahn. There's also a rotating selection of guest stars playing exaggerated versions of themselves to add to the Hollywood feel, from Zac Efron to Martin Scorsese. Early reviews already give The Studio a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with Slant Magazine’s Ross McIndoe singling out the dark and “more than a little pointed” comedy as the highlight.

Entertainment

3 PBS shows you should watch in March 2025

three pbs shows you should watch in march 2025 call the midwife season 14 tv hero 2

PBS may not be able to boast a lineup of original shows like Netflix and the other streamers, but it's been America's gateway for British dramas for decades. Granted, some of these shows will show up on the streamers as well. The key difference is that PBS won't charge you to watch them, and you can even stream them online if you don't want to support your local station.

This month's picks include two returning British dramas, one of which had almost a full decade between seasons. Our other pick is a returning murder mystery show from Sweden, which proves just how universally popular that genre has turned out to be.