A Case for Han Solo Beating the Odds in The Force Awakens
There have been thousands of rumors surrounding the plot of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but none more controversial than those reporting the demise of fan-favorite Han Solo played by Harrison Ford. And it’s easy to see why: Solo has always represented us in a way. His wise cracks, colorful past, and cynical outlook on the Force gave audiences a very flawed yet very human character to relate to in a universe filled with lightsabers, ewoks, and carbon chambers. So after over 30 years of waiting for a genuine sequel trilogy, the last thing anyone wants to hear is that Solo bites the big one right out of the gate. That’s even more cruel than rumors of Luke Skywalker only being in the film for two minutes. Good news though: You may have nothing to worry about. After the jump, we explore how Han Solo may cheat death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. To quote the Corellian: Never tell me the odds!
WARNING: THIS IS A SPECULATION PIECE BASED ON SPOILERS WHICH MAY LESSEN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
First, let’s get some things out of the way. The shooting schedule leaked recently omits the most telling pieces of the puzzle — namely dialogue. That said, Act 3 continues to be highly suspect as does the climax listed in the most recent Spoilerboard 3.0 blog post. The following speculation is based on the portions of the aforementioned leaks which we believe to be true.
First some history. Harrison Ford is said to have wanted his character to be killed off at the end of Return of the Jedi. Ford claimed he didn’t see how his character could remain useful or interesting beyond his story arc in the original Star Wars trilogy. Of course, if you’ve read any of the magazines with The Force Awakens coverage or caught Ford on his recent press junket, you’ll hear different. He has completely changed his tune. Now he can see how Han Solo can still be relevant to the overall story of the Star Wars saga. Perhaps it’s the mentoring, pass-the-baton aspect of the new films that made him change his mind. After all, Ford was in a different place 30 years ago, and he’s had years to come to grips with whatever criticisms he may have had about his character’s limitations back then.
In any case, Ford’s happy to be involved again. There’s something to be said for his happiness, too. It’s infectious. So regardless of how the films turn out, Ford’s change of heart is cathartic for fans of the original trilogy.
Onto the plot of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Kylo Ren is the long lost child of Han Solo and Princess — now General — Leia. Kylo is one of his uncle Luke Skywalker’s most promising students at his newly constructed Jedi Academy. Tragedy strikes, however, as a group of Dark Siders attacks, while Luke is away, killing everyone and stealing the golden child — he of the Skywalker/Solo bloodline.
Upon learning of the attack, Luke is beside himself. He must control his emotions and admit to Han and Leia how he has failed them, and lost Kylo to the Dark Siders. This leads to a strain between Han and Leia, who become more and more distant over the years as reports of Kylo Ren’s activities begin to make waves throughout the galaxy.
We believe Luke is of two minds after the traumatic incident. His light side controls his emotions and enables him to break the news to Han and Leia. Meanwhile, he is filled with rage for this group of Dark Siders led by the mysterious Lord Snoke. The rage boils over and Luke hunts down the nefarious group, dispatching them one by one with wildly violent displays of the Force. It all culminates in a battle with Snoke, who is as formidable an opponent as Luke has ever faced — even more powerful than Sheev Palpatine.
The battle ends in a stalemate with both Force masters being forever changed by it. Both sustain many injuries, and are forced to retreat. Sadly, Luke never learns the whereabouts of his nephew as Snoke stays tightlipped on the location of his new apprentice.
Luke retreats to a life of solitude, while Snoke licks his wounds on his homeworld. Both however continue to use the Force in order to keep the other in check. This Force-driven tug of war requires is taxing on them, and requires most of their energy. Luke’s hiding has nothing to do with cowardice. He is still very much fighting the good fight — only psychically through the Force.
Since Snoke and Luke are tied up with each other, Kylo is free to launch all manner of attacks in the name of his sponsor The First Order. This leads to the inevitable confrontation with his step brother, Poe Dameron, as seen in many of the latest TV spots. Poe survives his encounter with Kylo, but Han isn’t so lucky.
During Act 3 of the film, Han Solo attempts to reason with his son on Starkiller base. Kylo murders his father in cold blood. This is witnessed by Rey, Finn, and Chewbacca, and leads to the films climactic lightsaber duel. We see a two-on-one battle — much like The Phantom Menace albeit less over-the-top choreography — with Rey using her staff and Finn using Luke’s old lightsaber against Kylo. Once the Dark Sider bests Finn, lopping off one of his arms, Rey realizes she cannot win using her staff and quick wits only. She is forced to finally wield the weapon destined to be hers. At last, the Force is fully awakened in her and she gives Kylo much more than he bargained for. Their battle is cut short though as Poe and his X-Wing squadron lay waste to Starkiller base and the entire planet begins to crumble.
Kylo is next seen confronting Lord Snoke about his origins. Over the years, Snoke has brainwashed Kylo to believe he is the son of Anakin Skywalker. Kylo asks him if it was all a lie. Snoke admits that part of the reason Kylo failed at Starkiller base is because he is not the genuine heir to Vader’s powers. In fact, he has been bait the entire time. His cousin, Rey, is what Snoke was after all these years.
This is all devastating for Kylo. He takes a minute to deal with the knowledge that he has committed patricide. Then he lashes at Snoke but is quickly dismantled. We are left to believe Kylo may be dead.
Meanwhile, Rey, Finn and Chewbacca console each and recover Han’s body. Maz Kanata then speaks to Rey and tells her it is not too late. Maz reveals that the second Rey picked up Luke’s lightsaber, the whereabouts of the Jedi Master were revealed to her. So she gives them the coordinates and tells them to waste no time.
The trio arrive at a remote planet where Luke has been hiding in a throne room of sorts. The Jedi Master finally appears and reveals that Rey is his daughter, and she and Finn are destined to be trained by him. But the group relay Maz’s message and tell Luke what has happened to his good friend Han Solo.
This is no surprise to Luke. As a matter of fact, he is prepared for what must be done — and now’s the perfect time. (Luke can see what Snoke is up to, and while the Dark Sider is tied up laying waste to Kylo, Luke gets an opportunity to use his Force powers elsewhere instead of countering Snoke’s psychic attacks.) Luke presides over the body of Solo and uses the Force to recreate life and bring the smuggler back from the beyond. The poetry at play here is quite beautiful as Kylo indirectly saves his dad by attacking Snoke, which gives Luke the opening he needs to resuscitate Solo.
As for how this is possible… Snoke is actually Darth Plagueis, the only Sith to have discovered the secret to cheating death. He fooled his apprentice, Darth Sidious, into believing he had died. Once Plagueis engaged in a psychic Force battle with Luke, both warriors inadvertently become open books to the other in a sense. Over the years, Luke has been able to glean many abilities some might consider unnatural from the mind of Snoke. None more valuable than the ability to bring back the dead.
Luke has become fully trained in both sides of the Force by locking minds with Plagueis in order to counter each other’s moves and guarantee a state of paralysis. This is something Luke knew he would have to do, especially after seeing how he needed to tap into the Dark Side in order to overpower his father in Return of the Jedi. This duality of the Force is high risk, high reward, but Skywalker has managed to balance Light and Dark Sides and become the most powerful grey Jedi in history.
So those rumors about Han Solo dying… they’re true… from a certain point of view. Do you think Han Solo will die in The Force Awakens? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments section. And may the Force be with you!
