And what does that mean for Harrison Ford returning?
With The Force Awakens bringing Harrison Ford back to the role that made him a movie star, we’re seeing an older Han Solo than we remember. Given the popularity of the character, however it’s no surprise he’s getting a spin off film. Many were apprehensive until we heard Lawrence Kasdan, the man who helped give Han Solo some of his best moments in the original films, would be writing the script. Still, so many of us are plagued by memories of a young Anakin Skywalker it’s hard not to have some kind of guard up.
How old would Han Solo really be? Would he be hold enough to hold a blaster? Well, it seems now we have our answer.
So… how old is Han Solo going to be?
Here it is, straight from current overseer of the Star Wars franchise Kathleen Kennedy:
“He’ll definitely be probably in the high teens, low 20s,” Kennedy says. “We’re not introducing you to a 10-year-old Han Solo.”
They’ll definitely be recasting the part if that’s the case, which makes sense. It all sounds perfect to us, though we very nearly got a 10 year old Han Solo for a Star Wars movie.
Wait, what?
It’s true.
I believe you, but where did we almost get a 10 year old Han Solo?
When Yoda goes to Kashyyyk to help the Wookies defend against a Separatist attack, he not only meets Chewbacca but a very young Han Solo. We’ve posted a page from a Revenge of the Sith art book above with a shot of Han Solo’s concept art, but the relevant section reads:
“When the meeting is over, Yoda, who is on Kashyyyk, speaks with the spirit of QUI-GON-JINN. Yoda would like to know how the Jedi will be destroyed, but Qui-Gon can’t say because the Force is out of balance. Ten-year-old HAN SOLO then joins YODA.
HAN SOLO: I found part of a transmitter droid near the east bay… I think it’s still sending and receiving signals.
YODA: Good. Good. Track this we can back to the source. Find General Grievous, we might…
HAN SOLO and YODA track the signal to Utapau. YODA informs the Jedi Council, and MACE decides to send Obi-Wan, along with thousands of clone troopers, to capture GENERAL GRIEVOUS.”
So, Han Solo was pretty much a throw away role to get the plot moving. In the cut of the film we got, Palpatine gives the intel to the Jedi.
So, if Han Solo is around 20 in his Anthology film when does it take place?
Harrison Ford was in his mid thirties when A New Hope was filming. So, if we back track fifteen years it’ll be about four to five years after Revenge of the Sith. The Empire is still being established and the galaxy is still getting over the Clone Wars. Should make for an interesting setting!
