Han Solo - A Star Wars character
Created | Updated May 13, 2004
This article is designed to give an insight into the character of Han Solo that was not shown in the films.
BACKGROUND
Han Solo is a character in the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas, he was played by Harrison Ford and appeared in Episode's 4, 5 and 6.
Han in the first draft was a traditional green-skinned alien and only evolved into human in later drafts, other actors who read for the part are Kurt Russell and Christopher Walken - Harrison Ford was cast.
In the movies not much is told about the past of Han so this article hopefully resolves that telling what history of the fictional character could be obtained through research into the novels, mainly A.C. Crispin's trilogy and The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton.
George Lucas originally created the character but his history has come from many different authors; however, these books have been read by the great Lucas himself and given the green light.
This history is based on the books which have been given the 'go-ahead' by George Lucas, and, while many different stories of Han are told this is the most official one that could be made without including any unofficial information.
CHILDHOOD
Originally from the planet of Corellia Han Solo never knew his parents; he was raised on the ship the Trader’s Luck, the ship of Garris Shrike.
Garris used Han as he did the other street urchins and beggars he found, as petty thieves and beggars. Han only stayed with him, as he believed Garris knew something of his family and what had happened to them, Garris never told Han anything about his family and the only tie he ever found was a cruel cousin named Thracken Sal-Solo.
Although his childhood wasn’t ideal Han was still taught kindness by a female Wookiee called Dewlanna, Dewlanna also taught him the Wookiee language which would prove invaluable to him in the future.
At 19 Han ran away from Garris Shrike and his thievery operation and, using the assumed name Vyyk Drago, he joined the Hutt spice-processing business on Ylesia where he fell in love with a slave there called Bria Tharen; he rescued her and helped destroy almost the entire Ylesia operation but things unfortunately did not go well between them and once again Han was on his own.
IMPERIALS, SMUGGLERS AND WOOKIEES
Finally his superior flying skills earned him a place in the Imperial Academy where he showed great promise, while there he earned his Corillean bloodstripes (which you can always see on his trousers) and the nickname ‘Slick’ for a daring manoeuvre with a U-33 transport vehicle.
While working for the Imperials Han was ordered to terminate a Wookiee slave by the name of Chewbacca, he refused and was thrown out of the Academy in disgrace – however, he had earned himself a life-debt and a new best friend from Chewbacca.
With nowhere to go Han and Chewbacca (now called Chewie) joined a smuggling gang run by Roa; this is where Han first flew the Kessel Run for which he was later to become famous. During his time as a smuggler he met his now life-long friend Lando Calrissian among many others. In a lucky game of Sabacc with Lando he won the right to ‘any ship on Lando’s lot’ and he chose the Millennium Falcon.
After falling out with his fellow smugglers and dropping an important shipment of spice from Jabba the Hutt Han ran to Tatooine, once again without friends and now with a large bounty on his head.
THE FILMS AND COURTING LEIA
While on Tatooine Han took the charter to Alderaan, which was to lead him inevitably to the Rebellion and his new friends.
After the battle of Endor Han was now officially ‘respectable’ although he remained an important contact with the smugglers. After having confessed his love to Leia he planned to marry her but was called away on duty to help defeat an Imperial crimelord. His plans to wed Leia went astray, however, when Prince Isolder of Hapes proposed; springing into action Han kidnapped Leia and took her to the remote world of Dathomir, which he had won in a game of Sabacc. While there he helped liberate the ‘witches’ from the Nightsisters and once again won the heart of Leia.
CHILDREN AND THE DEATH OF CHEWBACCA
They finally wed and were to have three children all strong in the Force, Jaina and Jacen, twins, and young Anakin. Probably because he had never known his own family Han’s children were very important to him and he loved the role of father and protector.
Han’s life couldn’t stay happy for too long, however, as when the threat of the Yuuzhan Vong struck he lost his best friend. Chewbacca died saving Anakin from a doomed planet.
Han was never quite the same again, although he realised he had some small Force potential when he started to see Chewie’s ‘ghost’ as Luke had seen Ben’s and Yoda’s back in the days of the Rebellion.
SUMMARY AND LINKS
Han Solo has always been one of the pivotal characters of the Star Wars universe; a reckless and unscrupulous smuggler with a heart of gold.
For more information about other Star Wars characters' histories; please visit my other entries:
Leia Organa - A Star Wars character http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A2228122
BACKGROUND
Han Solo is a character in the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas, he was played by Harrison Ford and appeared in Episode's 4, 5 and 6.
Han in the first draft was a traditional green-skinned alien and only evolved into human in later drafts, other actors who read for the part are Kurt Russell and Christopher Walken - Harrison Ford was cast.
In the movies not much is told about the past of Han so this article hopefully resolves that telling what history of the fictional character could be obtained through research into the novels, mainly A.C. Crispin's trilogy and The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton.
George Lucas originally created the character but his history has come from many different authors; however, these books have been read by the great Lucas himself and given the green light.
This history is based on the books which have been given the 'go-ahead' by George Lucas, and, while many different stories of Han are told this is the most official one that could be made without including any unofficial information.
CHILDHOOD
Originally from the planet of Corellia Han Solo never knew his parents; he was raised on the ship the Trader’s Luck, the ship of Garris Shrike.
Garris used Han as he did the other street urchins and beggars he found, as petty thieves and beggars. Han only stayed with him, as he believed Garris knew something of his family and what had happened to them, Garris never told Han anything about his family and the only tie he ever found was a cruel cousin named Thracken Sal-Solo.
Although his childhood wasn’t ideal Han was still taught kindness by a female Wookiee called Dewlanna, Dewlanna also taught him the Wookiee language which would prove invaluable to him in the future.
At 19 Han ran away from Garris Shrike and his thievery operation and, using the assumed name Vyyk Drago, he joined the Hutt spice-processing business on Ylesia where he fell in love with a slave there called Bria Tharen; he rescued her and helped destroy almost the entire Ylesia operation but things unfortunately did not go well between them and once again Han was on his own.
IMPERIALS, SMUGGLERS AND WOOKIEES
Finally his superior flying skills earned him a place in the Imperial Academy where he showed great promise, while there he earned his Corillean bloodstripes (which you can always see on his trousers) and the nickname ‘Slick’ for a daring manoeuvre with a U-33 transport vehicle.
While working for the Imperials Han was ordered to terminate a Wookiee slave by the name of Chewbacca, he refused and was thrown out of the Academy in disgrace – however, he had earned himself a life-debt and a new best friend from Chewbacca.
With nowhere to go Han and Chewbacca (now called Chewie) joined a smuggling gang run by Roa; this is where Han first flew the Kessel Run for which he was later to become famous. During his time as a smuggler he met his now life-long friend Lando Calrissian among many others. In a lucky game of Sabacc with Lando he won the right to ‘any ship on Lando’s lot’ and he chose the Millennium Falcon.
After falling out with his fellow smugglers and dropping an important shipment of spice from Jabba the Hutt Han ran to Tatooine, once again without friends and now with a large bounty on his head.
THE FILMS AND COURTING LEIA
While on Tatooine Han took the charter to Alderaan, which was to lead him inevitably to the Rebellion and his new friends.
After the battle of Endor Han was now officially ‘respectable’ although he remained an important contact with the smugglers. After having confessed his love to Leia he planned to marry her but was called away on duty to help defeat an Imperial crimelord. His plans to wed Leia went astray, however, when Prince Isolder of Hapes proposed; springing into action Han kidnapped Leia and took her to the remote world of Dathomir, which he had won in a game of Sabacc. While there he helped liberate the ‘witches’ from the Nightsisters and once again won the heart of Leia.
CHILDREN AND THE DEATH OF CHEWBACCA
They finally wed and were to have three children all strong in the Force, Jaina and Jacen, twins, and young Anakin. Probably because he had never known his own family Han’s children were very important to him and he loved the role of father and protector.
Han’s life couldn’t stay happy for too long, however, as when the threat of the Yuuzhan Vong struck he lost his best friend. Chewbacca died saving Anakin from a doomed planet.
Han was never quite the same again, although he realised he had some small Force potential when he started to see Chewie’s ‘ghost’ as Luke had seen Ben’s and Yoda’s back in the days of the Rebellion.
SUMMARY AND LINKS
Han Solo has always been one of the pivotal characters of the Star Wars universe; a reckless and unscrupulous smuggler with a heart of gold.
For more information about other Star Wars characters' histories; please visit my other entries:
Leia Organa - A Star Wars character http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A2228122
