How Han Solo SHOULD Have Died

As bad as the sequels were, I still thought the death of Han Solo was one of the better scenes in Episode 7. I like the basic premise of Kylo Ren killing his own father in order to fully embrace the dark side, like a rite of passage. It rhymes with Anakin killing the younglings to complete his transition. Plus it mirrors the father son dynamic of Anakin and Luke. But the execution of this in the story was very bad! It would have needed another scene between Han and Kylo earlier in the movie to set this up. Maybe one where Kylo already had the chance to kill Han, but shied away last second. And then Han knows this already, but still confronts Kylo again, in order to buy his friends some important minutes. Thus sacrificing himself, the death scene staying the same but with a lot more added depth.

Fun video! I'm a little surprised you didn't mention how the shot of Han's body falling most closely mirrors the shot of the Emperor's body falling. A very weird and "wrong"-feeling detail.

It's too bad he didn't die well. But then again, who does?

Great video. After you posed the question at the beginning my wife and I paused the video and immediately agreed on a few things. He should have died sacrificing himself and saving others, he should have been in the Millennium Falcon, and he should have had a moment with Chewbacca. It was just very poorly executed in the sequel trilogy. There was so much potential for it to be a really meaningful moment for these iconic characters. Instead the focus was on the new characters. There is a lesson there about honoring what came before while pushing new ground.

This analysis just proves how empty the sequels were. I teared up when Han died, but oh man, it could have punched so much harder. I’m imagining the theater full of fanboys weeping into their popcorn. I agree with the order… especially Chewie. You know the first line would be Wookie banter followed by Han saying “don’t you dare sell my ship.” Before slipping into really heartbreaking dialogue. In fact, I would probably continue to write it without Han saying much at all. Have Chewie “say” the most. If written well, Han’s reactions would speak louder. He was never much for words, I think it would be out of character for him to get overly sentimental. Instead, have all the emotion told through inference and good acting. Can you imagine that scene… makes me want to tear up just thinking about Chewies last words.

Love your work. I genuinely felt tears prickling my eyes as leia said “I know”… and then chewie’s howl! 😢 good stories should make you *feel* something, but it is extremely rare that a youtube channel consistently achieves that! Thanks 🙂

I had a number of conversations over the past few days that reminded me of how it feels to know that someone you have had by your side is simply present with you for the dark(est) moments. And imagining a death scene in which Chewie can be that soul for Han is truly beautiful, especially (as you said) knowing that their relationship predates that of all the other main characters mentioned, providing a truly fitting memorialization of what that meant (also for their success as a team throughout the initial trilogy!!).

I was also so moved and emotional! Luke, Leia, and Chewie. In that order. Beautiful analysis brother.

Man, you had me in tears 😭 A shiver run down my spine at the suggestion of having Solo killed during the attack to the Death Star in Episode IV, it's a big no, no, sir. I also couldn't come to terms with the loss of the opening scene of Episode VI. I'm sorry for Ford, but this time I'm on Lucas' side, I'd rather have Solo alive, even if I hate how he is portrayed in the final part of the trilogy. It probably depends on the fact that I was very young when I fell in love with Star Wars, and that part of me couldn't tolerate anything bad happening to Solo or to the other characters in the saga. Having said that, I could very much tolerate his death in the sequel trilogy. Frankly, I could tolerate his death alongside to the death of the sequel trilogy itself 😬.

Excellent analysis. Appreciate all the little digs at Disney:).

Han: "Over my dead body." Greedo: "That's the idea." Greedo immediately shoots Han dead, and the smuggler's body hits the table. Chewbacca inherits the Falcon, takes Luke and Obi-Wan to Alderaan, fills the role of "scoundrel pilot" for the rest of the triliogy. Just before he's frozen in carbonite, Leia says "I love you", he rogueishly responds "RRRAAWWRRGGGHH"

11:00 RIP Lando, since Han was with the ground team on Endor

Fuuuuck.... That's the death that character deserved. What a beautiful character arc. Grateful to have this in my psyche now.