Han Solo
Han Solo | |
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Voiced by |
Other:
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In-universe information | |
Aliases | Captain Solo Cadet 124-239 |
Gender | Male |
Title |
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Occupation |
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Affiliation |
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Spouse | Sana Starros (Stennessian scam) |
Significant other | Qi'ra (formerly) |
Children |
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Relatives |
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Nationality | Corellian |
Homeworld | Corellia |
Han Solo is a fictional character in the
First appearing in the
The
Ever since his debut, Han Solo has remained one of the most famous characters from the Star Wars series. In addition to the character being hailed as one of cinema's greatest heroes, Harrison Ford's performances in the franchise have received significant acclaim from critics and fans. Alden Ehrenreich's performance in Solo was also well received. Ford received two nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Actor, winning for his performance in The Force Awakens.
Concept and casting
In the earliest version of the initial draft for
Harrison Ford was not immediately cast for the role of Han Solo, as Lucas had already used him in the 1973 film American Graffiti and wanted somebody new for the role. He hired Ford to rehearse lines with other actors and he was so impressed by the actor's performance that he eventually cast him. Other actors that were considered for the role include Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Christopher Walken, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Robert Englund, Nick Nolte, Burt Reynolds, Chevy Chase, and Perry King (who later played Solo in the radio plays).[7][8][9][10][11]
In Lucas's early story development for The Empire Strikes Back (1980), he felt that "Han is coming to grips with accepting responsibility." He would be separated from Luke on a mission that would be key to restoring the Galactic Republic. Han would have to "talk with a leader ... who controls commerce in the galaxy", which the Empire is reliant upon and with whom "Han has some kind of relationship ... like [a] stepfather". Lucas thought this could utilize a backstory involving Han having been an orphan who lived on the Wookiee planet until his adoption. In the final film, Han instead unites with his old friend Lando Calrissian, a powerful businessman willing to deal with the Empire.[12]
Solo appeared in early drafts of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The character would have been revealed as having been raised by Chewbacca on Kashyyyk, and would help Yoda locate General Grievous.[13] Some concept art of a 10-year-old Han Solo was made, but Lucas decided to omit the character's appearance from the film before any actor was cast or considered for the role.[14]
Ford, believing his character should die, was reluctant to sign onto the sequels of Star Wars.
Appearances
Skywalker saga
Original trilogy
A New Hope
Han Solo is first introduced in Star Wars (1977),[a] when he and his co-pilot Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) accept a charter request to transport Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, and R2-D2 from Tatooine to Alderaan on their ship, the Millennium Falcon. Han owes gangster Jabba the Hutt a great deal of money and has a high price on his head. Bounty hunter Greedo (Paul Blake) tries to deliver Solo to Jabba, dead or alive, but after a failed attempt to extort the money as a bribe for letting him go, Han shoots and kills Greedo. Han then prepares to leave Tatooine.
He and his passengers are attacked by Imperial
After delivering Luke, Leia, C-3PO, and R2-D2 to the Rebel Alliance, Han and Chewbacca receive a payment for their services and prepare to leave. Luke asks Han to stay and help the Rebels attack the Death Star, but he refuses, not wanting to get involved. Han has a change of heart and returns to save Luke's life during the film's climactic battle scene, ultimately enabling Luke to destroy the Death Star. In the film's final scene, Leia presents Han with a medal of honor alongside Luke and Chewbacca.
The Empire Strikes Back
Three years later, Han is still with the Rebel Alliance, and serving on the Rebels' base on the frozen planet of
Later, Han and Chewbacca go to check on another meteor strike. They discover that the 'meteor' is actually an Imperial Probe Droid. The two succeed in destroying the probe, but not before the Empire is alerted to the location of the Rebel base. When the Empire attacks, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and C-3PO narrowly escape on board the Millennium Falcon. Han evades a squad of Imperial TIE fighters by flying through an asteroid field, and unwittingly flies into the mouth of a giant worm. Han and Leia fall in love during the long journey. They manage to hide from the Imperial fleet long enough to escape, but not entirely unnoticed; bounty hunter Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch), working for Vader, picks up their trail and follows them.
Han and company eventually end up at the
Return of the Jedi
A year later, Han, still imprisoned in carbonite, is Jabba's favorite decoration at his palace on Tatooine. Luke attempts a rescue operation aided by Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and a repentant Lando, but they are caught. Jabba sentences Han, Luke and Chewbacca to die in the sarlacc pit. Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca overpower their captors and Leia kills Jabba, enabling their escape.
Returning to the Rebel fleet, they discover that the Empire is building the second Death Star, which orbits the forest moon of
Sequel trilogy
The Force Awakens
In The Force Awakens, set approximately 30 years after Return of the Jedi, Han has returned to his old life as a smuggler. Before the events of the film, he and Chewbacca had lost the Millennium Falcon to thieves, but they reclaim the ship after it takes off from the planet Jakku, piloted by the scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the renegade stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega). As mercenaries close in on them, Han takes the Falcon into light speed, and they get away.
When Han learns that Rey is looking for Luke, who disappeared years before, he takes them to his old friend Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o), who can deliver the droid BB-8 to the Resistance against the tyrannical First Order. They are forced to flee when First Order troops descend upon them. Han is impressed with Rey's piloting skills, and offers her a job on the Falcon, but she declines. When Rey is kidnapped by the First Order, Han sees her being carried off by First Order warlord Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), whom Han seems to recognize.
Han and Finn meet with the Resistance, which is led by Leia, whom Han hasn't seen in years. It is then revealed that Ren is actually their son, Ben Solo, who trained as a
Han and Chewbacca go with Finn to the First Order's planet-converted superweapon,
The Last Jedi
The Rise of Skywalker
Han appears briefly in The Rise of Skywalker. After a near-fatal duel with Rey and the death of Leia, Ren experiences a vision of Han, who tells his son that Kylo Ren is dead, but Ben Solo is alive. Han urges his son to do the right thing and come back to the light side. In an allusion to their final interaction, Ren admits that he knows what he has to do but is not sure if he has the strength, while Han encourages his son and touches his face. Drawing his lightsaber, Ren turns and throws it away, renouncing the dark side and becoming Ben Solo once again. When he turns around, Han has vanished.
At the end of the film, Chewbacca is given Han's medal from the end of the original film.
Anthology films
Solo: A Star Wars Story
A film featuring Han Solo before the events of the 1977 film was released on May 25, 2018, starring
Three years later, Han has been expelled from the Imperial Flight Academy for insubordination and gets transferred to the Imperial Army. While serving as a swamp trooper in an infantry during a battle on Mimban, he encounters a gang of criminals posing as Imperial soldiers led by
Qi'ra leads them to Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), an accomplished smuggler and pilot who she hopes will lend them his ship. Han challenges Lando to a game of sabacc, with the wager being Lando's ship. Lando cheats to win but agrees to join the mission in exchange for a share of the profits. The team boards his ship, the Millennium Falcon, and heads for Kessel. The theft is a success partly thanks to Han piloting the ship through a dangerous uncharted route, but Han and Qi'ra become sympathetic to the Rebel Alliance, who are trying to prevent the syndicates and the Galactic Empire from gaining greater domination over the galaxy. They try to trick Vos, but Beckett has already alerted him to the double-cross. Vos sends his guards to kill the rebels, but having anticipated Vos' strategy, Han warns the Rebels, who kill the guards instead, rendering Vos defenseless. Han then tries to take the coaxium, only for Beckett to betray Vos, escape with the coaxium, and take Chewbacca hostage. Though pressured to kill Han in order to prove her loyalty to Vos, Qi'ra instead kills Vos and sends Han after Beckett before contacting Vos' superior, Maul (portrayed by Ray Park, voiced by Sam Witwer).
Han catches up to Beckett and shoots him to death before Beckett can return fire. Afterwards, Han and Chewbacca turn the coaxium over to the Rebels. Their leader,
Television
In the
Han appeared in the animated Star Wars Forces of Destiny episode "Tracker Trouble" (2017), where he was voiced by Kiff VandenHeuvel.[21]
Literature
In the (non-canon)
Solo plays a central role in many stories set after Return of the Jedi. In
In the
In April 2014, most of the licensed Star Wars novels and comics produced since the originating 1977 film were rebranded by Lucasfilm as Star Wars Legends and declared non-canon to the franchise.[22][29][30]
Canon comics
Han is a main character in the 2015
Star Wars: Han Solo (2016) is a five-issue mini-series set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, which focuses on Han participating in a race.[33] The comic adaptation of Solo: A Star Wars Story reveals that Solo knew his father worked in the shipyards of Corellia.[34] Han Solo – Imperial Cadet (2018) depicts his rebellious days under the Empire.[35] Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022) depicts the duo doing a job for Jabba, who sends Greedo to accompany them.[36]
Influence and critical reaction
Han Solo is a reckless smuggler with a sarcastic wit;[27] he is "a very practical guy" and considers himself "a materialist";[37] but the adventures in the first Star Wars movie evoke his compassion, a trait "he didn't know he possessed".[37]
The
Ford won a 2016 Saturn Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Force Awakens.[47]
Merchandising
Solo has been merchandised in multiple media, including action figures, video games, and other collectibles. A Han Solo action figure with "human proportions" was released in 1977 to follow with the initial release of the original Star Wars films, while a figure created for the films' mid-1990s re-release was criticized as "unrealistically muscled."[48][49]
In June 2018, Han Solo's blaster from 1983's Return of the Jedi was auctioned for $550,000.
Relationships
Family tree
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Notes:
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See also
- Han shot first
- Solo family
- Space Western
Notes
- ^ Later titled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- ^ The dice first appeared in one scene upon the Falcon in the 1977 film.[19] The prop was also planned to be included in The Force Awakens, when Han reacquires his ship, and plays a larger role in Solo: A Star Wars Story.[20]
References
- ^ a b "AFI's 100 Years.... 100 Heroes and Villains" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ The Star Wars by George Lucas - Rough draft
- ^ 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 5.
- ^ "THE STAR WARS" - From The Adventures of Luke Starkiller by George Lucas. Starkiller - The Jedi Bendu Script Site.
- ^ "Mythic Discovery Within the Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Joseph Campbell Meets George Lucas, Part 2". StarWars.com. November 6, 2015. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-345-40981-2.
- ^ "5 Famous Actors Who Almost Played The Part Of Han Solo In Star Wars". Dailynewsdig.com. March 2, 2013. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy. Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD documentary. [2005]
- About.com. Archived from the originalon December 25, 2005. Retrieved October 3, 2006.
- Independent.co.uk. September 12, 2014. Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Movie News: James Caan Talks Turning Down Roles in SUPERMAN and STAR WARS". September 29, 2013. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- OCLC 506251987.
- OCLC 1037353117. Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Lambie, Ryan (January 26, 2016). "Star Wars: The Han Solo Episode III cameo that never was". Den of Geek. New York: Dennis Publishing. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Derschowitz, Jessica (December 1, 2015). "Harrison Ford talks Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Indiana Jones 5". Entertainment Weekly. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (December 21, 2015). "J.J. Abrams on Kylo Ren's shocking act in Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Entertainment Weekly. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-4197-1780-2.
- ^ Kemp, Ella (January 26, 2021). "Rian Johnson confirms Han Solo Easter egg in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'". NME. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Acuna, Kirsten (December 14, 2017). "There's a small nod to George Lucas and Harrison Ford in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' you may have missed — here it is". Insider. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- OCLC 1037353117. Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (April 13, 2017). "Star Wars highlights female heroes in Forces of Destiny — first look". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ a b McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014). "Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for Star Wars Expanded Universe". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ISBN 978-0345477620.
- ^ ISBN 0-553-08928-5.
- Routine" Star Wars Tales, no. 2 (January 5, 2000). Dark Horse Comics.
- OCLC 36960986.
- ^ a b "Solo, Han". Encyclopedia. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
- The Corellian trilogy.
- StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ "Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (June 3, 2016). "Star Wars Delivers Huge Change for Han Solo". IGN. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (October 13, 2016). "Star Wars: Who Is Sana Solo?". IGN. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ^ Anthony Breznican (March 4, 2016). "'Star Wars: Han Solo' comic coming in June –". Ew.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ Agar, Chris (August 8, 2020). "Star Wars: Where Han Solo Is During The Prequel Trilogy". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Gramuglia, Anthony (October 31, 2020). "Han Solo: What the Star Wars Really Did as an Imperial Cadet". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Brooks, Dan (December 16, 2021). "Marvel's Han Solo & Chewbacca Series Coming March 2022 - Exclusive". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-385-24774-0.
- ^ "Empire's The 100 Greatest Movie Characters". Empire. London, England: Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Entertainment Weekly's 20 All Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture". Entertainment Weekly. New York City: Meredith Corporation. October 14, 2009. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters". Fandomania.com. October 14, 2009. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Han Solo is #2". IGN. j2 Global. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010.
- ^ News & Features Team (May 22, 2010). "Top 10 Tuesday: Characters In Need of a Spin-Off". IGN. San Francisco, California: j2 Global. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ^ Steinman, Gary (December 2008). "Prince of Persia: Anatomy of a Prince". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. No. 50. New York City: Future plc. p. 13.
- ^ "Space Adventure Cobra". August 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
- ^ "Space Adventure Cobra". Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
- ^ Aftab, Kaleem (March 10, 2008). "Exclusive: Trek Star Reveals Captain Kirk Inspiration". IGN. San Francisco, California: j2 Global. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- Saturn Awards. February 24, 2016. Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-57230-908-1.
- ISBN 978-1-58562-215-3.
- ^ Park, Andrea (June 25, 2018). "Han Solo blaster from "Return of the Jedi" sells for $550,000 at auction". CBS News. Chicago, Illinois. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Cimaglio, Zachary (December 15, 2023). "Han Solo's Original Star Wars Blaster Joins the Guinness Book of World Records". CBR. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ The Star Wars Book (2020) pg. 200
Further reading
- Dunk, Steve (January 1, 2018). "What's So Great About Han Solo Anyways?". TheForce.net.
External links
- Han Solo in the StarWars.com Databank
- Han Solo on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
- Han Solo on IMDb