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Han Solo is a cardinal character in both the originalStar Warstrilogy and its sequels , but what if he had died inStar Wars : Episode VI - Return of the Jedi ? First loose on May 25th , 1983,Star Wars : Episode VI - Return of the Jediopened to a raucous reception , gross a mammoth $ 374 million during its initial theatrical ravel and being lauded as a fitting remnant to the first groundbreakingStar Warstrilogy . Yet the hysteria fence good triumphing over evil and Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hammill ) land his fatherDarth Vader ( James Earl Jones)back from the dark side in 1983 may well have been diminished had one of the originalReturn of the Jediendings come to realisation .
Harrison Ford ’s portrayal of the devil - may - handle , begrudging hero Han Solo has become one of the most iconic sci - fi performance of all meter , with Solo as revered in modern-day civilisation as he was in 1983 . Yet several of the fundamental player behind the originalStar Warstrilogy ab initio wanted to kill off Han Solo in the final enactment ofReturn of the Jedi , with Harrison Ford and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan petitioning George Lucas to let it pass . Ford , in particular , believe it would be a " meet use of the character reference " ( perEntertainment Weekly ’s Tumblrpage ) , with theIndiana Jonesstar also stating that " his sacrifice for the other characters would lend gravitas and excited weight"toReturn of the Jedi ’s ending .
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While Lucas ultimately vetoed the idea in favor of a more picturesque ending , there is no doubt Han Solo ’s death would have changed the landscape of theStar Warscanon . Solo dying in the originalStar Warstrilogy also throws up difficult experiential inquiry regardingStar war : The Force Awakens , with Solo ’s to begin with planned ritual killing essentially uproot Ben Solo ( Adam Driver ) and his Force Dyad with Rey ( Daisy Ridley ) from the Disney movies ' icon . As a answer , here ’s what would have happened if Han Solo had died in the originalStar Warstrilogy , include how screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and Ford plan to kill off his character inReturn of the Jedi .
The Original Star Wars Trilogy Would Have Ended On A Bleak Note
getting even of the Jediremains a shining example of how to satisfactorily end a beloved trilogy , withEpisode VItying up long - stand narrative thread for its principal heroes . Luke is able to add his founding father back to the light side of the force as Anakin Skywalker / Vader restore balance to the violence as prophecized , while Han Solo and Leia can sweep up as victorious leaders of the rebellion after years of hardship . Yet had Kasdan and Ford got their direction , the originalStar Warstrilogy would have finish on a black note as Luke , Leia , Chewbacca , and ship’s company mourn the decease of their protagonist on Endor . This would have entirely changed the skin colour of Endor ’s celebratory scenes , with Yoda ( Frank Oz ) , Obi - Wan ( Alec Guinness ) , andAnakin ’s Force Ghostslikely looking on in awe as the Johnny Reb survey the cost of their final triumph . GivenStar Wars ' overt classic fantasy themes of valiancy and well triumphing over evil , this would have been a jarring and largely depressing note to end the initial trilogy on .
Over the years , several scenarios for how Han Solo could have died have emerged from audience with Kasdan , Ford , and Lucas . Ford earlier lobby for Solo to be kill in - betweenStar Wars : Episode V - The Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jediafter he is taken prisoner by Darth Vader , with the carbonite he is encased in incidentally killing him . When Lucas shoot this idea down , Lawrence Kasdan reportedly changed tack , landing on a more heroic means for Solo to die . Kasdan put forth that Solo should die on Endor , with his sacrifice fetch down theDeath Star shieldand cement the rebel ’s victory . Ultimately , this idea was also cast aside , with Lucas wanting redemption and victory for eachReturn of the Jedi ’s main narration players .
Princess Leia’s Character Arc Would Be Far Darker
Aside from the contiguous shock of Han Solo ’s demise , his last would surely have a knock - on effect on those closest to him . In especial , Solo ’s death would hit Leia Organa ( Carrie Fisher ) knockout , with Solo and the princess of Alderaan at last confessing their love for each other asReturn of the Jedibegins in Jabba ’s castle . It is , therefore , incredibly probable that rob of her love , Leia would become a far darker proposition in any subsequentStar Warssequelsas she assay revenge upon any remnants of the Empire . It is also deserving note that , unlike Luke , Leia is not well - versed in the elbow room of the military unit - mean Solo ’s destruction could push her nearer to the dark side of the force in the same style Padme ’s ( Natalie Portman ) designate sealed Anakin Skywalker ’s ( Hayden Christensen ) descent to evil inStar warfare : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith .
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Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Would Not Have Been Born
Han Solo ’s end inReturn of the Jediwould also have a monolithic ripple core on the widerStar Warscanon . This is best exemplified by Han Solo ’s son Ben , who would never have been digest if Han Solo conk on Endor , setting off a chemical chain of causal changes for theStar Warsuniverse to get by with . Solo ’s end would have radically falsify theStar Warssequel trilogy narrative , with Kylo Rennot existing to oppose Rey before finding repurchase and organise their all - authoritative Force Dyad . Han Solo ’s last inReturn of the Jediwould also think of he is not there to shepherd Rey and Finn ( John Boyega ) in the critical early degree of their journey , with Solo acting like a father figure for the orphaned Rey . In this way , Solo ’s death basically switch the complexion of theStar Warssequels and would have give J.J. Abrams’Star Wars : The Force Awakensfar less cohesive narrative ties to work with .
Chewbacca Would Not Feature In The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
It also goes without saying that had Han Solo died on Endor , it is doubtful Chewbacca would have featured in theStar Warssequel trilogy . As flesh out bySolo : A Star Wars Story , Han Solo and Chewbacca ’s relationship is a deep and binding friendly relationship that last back to their early days attempting to endure amidst the grim years of the new Galactic Empire ’s sovereignty . The end ofSolo : A Star Wars Storysees Chewbacca choose to ride out with Han and company despite having the opportunity to leave with his own kind , cement that he feels at home with Han aboard the Millenium Falcon . This viewpoint is confirm by Chewbacca being a about - constant presence at Han Solo ’s side in the original trilogy , meaning Chewbacca would be unlikely to stick around follow his friend ’s death . As a result , Han Solo ’s demise inStar war : Episode VI - Return of the Jediwould have irrecoverably changed theStar Warslandscape as it exists in contemporary culture and give the original trilogy a decidedly darker ending .
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