Harrison Ford was one of the cast members of Star Wars who went from being a relative unknown to a superstar when George Lucas released the film in 1977. His portrayal of the endearing smuggler Han Solo stood in contrast to Carrie Fisher’s portrayal of the rebel leader, Leia Organa, and Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the modest Luke Skywalker.
Well, it is safe to say that Ford’s career peaked in 1977, when he played Han Solo in Star Wars. He went on to reprise the role in four more sequels over the next forty years, creating an iconic character that drew in fans from all over the world. But little did we know that the Blade Runner 2049 actor had a secret ambition to upend everything and change the direction of the franchise.
Ford had always wanted Han to die dramatically, even before Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren killed him in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This is because his death would lend “gravitas and emotional weight”.
Harrison Ford’s True Motivation for Always Wanting Han Solo to Die?
A sequel to 1983’s Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the seventh movie in the Skywalker Saga. The movie’s enduring hero, Han Solo, died at the end at the hands of Adam Driver‘s Kylo Ren, as you probably already know if you have seen this eagerly awaited sequel. There is no denying that Harrison Ford has always wanted the smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon to die. And now, finally, he has accomplished his aim. However, the reason he did not want the on-screen act to occur is not what most people believe.
Ford participated in an EW Q&A session where fans were free to ask him anything they wanted. The fact that Han Solo was killed by his own son, Ben Solo, was, of course, the subject of much conversation. There were rumors that Ford wanted the role eliminated because he was sick of playing it. During Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back filming, the actor initially approached George Lucas with the concept.
Later, in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, he again argued in favor of killing Han. But it was not until December of last year in Star Wars: The Force Awakens that the actor finally saw it happen. But contrary to popular belief, the cause was far more noble. The actor, 81, expressed a desire for Han Solo to be killed because,
“I think it’s a fitting use of the character…not because I was tired of him or because he’s boring, but his sacrifice for the other characters would lend gravitas and emotional weight.”
It took a few years than Ford had hoped, but in the end, his plan for Han’s death took place.
Harrison Ford ‘Argued For 30 Years’ To Have Han Solo Be Killed
Harrison Ford had the negotiating power for his role because, even before he appeared in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, he was undoubtedly a star. All the same, it cannot be disputed that Han Solo’s Star Wars character hastened his ascent to fame. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ creators finally killed off Han Solo, a move that Ford has long supported.
During his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actor discussed the death of Han and claimed to have been an advocate for the actor’s demise for thirty years.
“I argued for 30 years for this to happen right and finally, I wore him down. I thought Han Solo should die. I thought he ought to sacrifice himself for [Luke and Leia]. He’s got no mama. He’s got no papa. He’s got no future. He has no story responsibilities at this point. So let’s allow him to commit self-sacrifice.”
The actor seems to be making a very clear statement.
With a global box office receipt of $2.07 billion, Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered several previous records and became the highest-grossing film of 2015. This movie completed the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which was followed by The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Also Read: Captain America 4: Harrison Ford Reportedly Getting New Ability That Can Even Melt Vibranium
Disney Plus streamers can watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens now.
