Movies

George Lucas refused to kill off one of the biggest Star Wars characters

BBG News

In the movie “Return of the Jedi,” Han Solo, the scruffy-looking character we know so well, manages to make it through the Battle of Endor alive, perhaps looking a bit more disheveled than before, but certainly not deceased. However, his survival wasn’t guaranteed. In fact, Harrison Ford actively campaigned for Han Solo’s death scene, envisioning a more heroic demise.

In an interview with ABC News, Ford reflected on his initial hope that Han would die during ROTJ.

At that moment, I felt it might be beneficial… To add some seriousness or importance to the character, making it appear more substantial.

George Lucas thought that including Han’s death in the finale would increase the emotional intensity and give the saga’s ending a deeper sense of significance. After all, Luke would ultimately prevail, and Vader would find redemption; however, it was essential to show the cost or sacrifice made along the journey. In George Lucas’ opinion, Han’s death could serve as a touching symbol of what had been lost during their journey together.

Lawrence Kasdan, who collaborated on both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” shared Ford’s viewpoint. In an interview with author J.W. Rinzler for “The Making of Return of the Jedi,” he expressed that Han Solo’s storyline in the final film seemed to be missing a powerful emotional journey.

He expressed that Han needed to perish, “I believed he should make the ultimate sacrifice for the other two. It seemed necessary for someone to give up. After all, it’s war – you inevitably lose someone.

Indeed, Kasdan’s observation holds true. It’s unlikely that every hero would survive a full-scale intergalactic conflict, as that was precisely George Lucas’ intention.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I was anxious about the potential negative impact on merchandise sales if Han Solo met his demise in “Episode III.” To ensure everyone’s safety, George Lucas nixed the idea. According to Kasdan, Lucas simply didn’t want any harm to befall anyone. The film would conclude on an optimistic note, with teddy bears dancing and all our cherished characters intact.

The commercial risk taken with Return of the Jedi proved successful, as it raked in an impressive $374 million during its first release in 1983, making it the highest-grossing film of that year. However, the artistic choices made for commercial success continue to spark controversy among critics and audiences alike.

On previous occasions, it wasn’t certain that Ford would continue his role in the Star Wars franchise. When Han Solo was encased in carbonite at the conclusion of The Empire Strikes Back, this scene served more as a contingency plan than a crucial plot element. At that time, Ford had agreed to appear in just two films and hadn’t yet confirmed his participation in Jedi. As stated in Empire of Dreams, Lucas and the team utilized the carbonite scene as a precautionary measure if Han Solo was unable to reappear.

It’s fascinating to ponder that the memorable moment in “Star Wars” where Han Solo is seen frozen mid-scream, wasn’t just a creative decision, but also a part of the actor’s contract terms.

Ford, always challenging the status quo, never considered himself the main character of the saga. He openly expressed reluctance to reprise his role in The Force Awakens, and agreed to return only when assured that Han Solo would finally have a fitting farewell in his storyline.

In 2015, a grim vision that Ford had held for years was realized: Han Solo’s life ended at the hands of his son, Kylo Ren, fulfilling Ford’s longtime wish in a tragic turn of events.

He jokingly expressed his agreement with the portrayal of the character, mentioning that he’s been advocating for Han Solo’s death scene for nearly three decades, during an appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’

If Lucas had agreed with the concept, it’s possible that Han could have met an early demise in “Return of the Jedi,” perhaps during the assault on the Death Star or even before the scenes set in the Ewok village. This would have left Leia devastated, Luke feeling even more solitary, and the ending of the original trilogy would have been significantly more poignant.

Could it have been a more effective storytelling approach? Possibly, or perhaps not. However, it would have taken away some of Han Solo’s most iconic lines and the amusing moment where he nods to Ewok drum music, which I believe we can all agree added to the authenticity of the narrative as intended.

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2025-07-19 21:56

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