Fans have been trying to piece theStar Wars: The Force Awakensstory together ever since it was announced way back in 2012. The film is finally complete, with a finished edit of the movie. And still, after all this time, we only have a very vague outline, cobbled together fromtwo trailers, a number of photos andbehind-the-scenesinformation from directorJ.J. Abramsand his cast and crew. WhileDisney and Lucasfilmhas been quite liberal in dolling out images of an aging Han Solo and Chewbacca, played once again byHarrison FordandPeter Mayhew, there is very little we know about their personal history over the course of the last thirty years, since we last saw them in 1983’sStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
Even though the Rebel Alliance succeeded in blowing up the Death Star and defeating the evil galactic Emperor, the galaxy’s bravest freedom fighters have not had a good go at it. The dark side has regrouped as the New Order, and are looking to once again seize control of the universe. Through it all, it seems thatHan Solohas had some quite trying ordeals. Even thoughJabba the Huttdied in the weeks leading up to the raid on Endor, Han still has quite a few enemies scattered across the many planetary systems where he was once known as a smuggler and a pirate, which will be further explored inStar Wars Anthology: Han Solo Movie.
But when we meet him inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, some of his most deadly foes are gunning to take over the bridge of the Millennium Falcon.Making Star Warsare the ones packaging this latest rumor, and it plays into some of the previous story leaks we heard before the first teaser trailer dropped. There will beSPOILERSfrom here on out. Solo reportedly has a new ship when we meet back up with him at the beginning ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens. He and Chewbacca have lost the Millennium Falcon right before the movie begins, and these events will surely be depicted in one of the many tie-in books planned as part of the Journey to The Force Awakens series. There are some unidentified characters who have asked to purchase the ship, with Han outright refusing to sell. As far as who is in control of the Falcon during the first act ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens, that has not been revealed.
When we see Han and Chewbacca in the second trailer that was released, they are finally back abroad the Millennium Falcon, which explains the now iconic line, “Chewie…We’re home.” Han Solo is not well inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. He is said to be sad, bitter, and likes spending his time hanging out in bars, just like the Mos Eisley Cantina where we first met him inStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. There is a gang of smugglers known only as Ducain and the Irving Boys who want Solo dead for unknown reasons. This reportedly explains Han and Chewie’s presence on the desert planet of Jakku. It’s said to be a good place to lay low with a price on one’s head.
Because the many new tie-in books and other various crossovers are setting up a Star Wars canon that is slightly different than what has come before,Making Star Warssay the official backstory between Han Solo and Chewbacca is that Chewie was captured and put into slavery in the aftermath ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, where the wookie played a key role in the Clone Wars. Han frees Chewbacca, with the Wookie owing the smuggler a life debt. This is pretty close to the traditional story that is known by most fans. And it may be further explored in 2018’sStar Wars Anthology: Han Solo Movie.
Taking all of this into account, it sounds as if Han Solo and Princess Leia are no longer together in this storyline. All three of the main characters, which also includes Luke Skywalker, are apparently separated and no longer working as a tightly-knit group of friends. This may all be working towards a big reunion for all of the characters, which could pay off quite nicely if done right. We’ll surely know more facts when the next trailer hits, promised to arrive sometime this fall. Until then, we’ll have to rely on these rumors to get us through until opening day this December. What do you think. Do you like the idea of a bitter, old Han Solo drinking his guts out at a bar? Or does it go against his character’s strong dramatic arc in the original trilogy? Truth is, people change, drift apart and sometimes never reunite. We could be getting aStar Wars: The Force Awakensthat is closer to real life than we might imagine.
