Han shot first

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The 2004 altered version of Star Wars depicts bounty hunter Greedo firing a shot at Han Solo shortly before Solo responds in kind. In the original 1977 version, Han is the only one to shoot; the alteration is a point of intense controversy within Star Wars and cinephile circles.

"Han shot first" is a phrase in Star Wars fandom that refers to a controversial change made to a scene in Episode IV: A New Hope. The scene involves the characters Han Solo and Greedo at the Mos Eisley Cantina, where Greedo has come to collect the bounty on Solo. During their conversation, Greedo keeps his blaster aimed at Solo, who sneakily works his hand down to his own blaster.

In the original theatrical version of the film, Solo proceeds to shoot Greedo from under the table. Greedo dies without firing a shot. In the 1997 Special Edition version, the scene was edited to add Greedo shooting at Solo but missing (at point-blank range), followed by the original Solo shot (which now seems to be in retaliation). Thus, the phrase "Han shot first" is a retort to director George Lucas' explicit assertion that "Greedo shot first."

Explanation

George Lucas explained the change by stating that he wanted to make clear to children that Han had "no choice" but to shoot Greedo. This justification was unsatisfactory to many long-time and adult fans of the series. The ire of some fans led to an online petition demanding that the changes be retracted.^[1] The primary objection to the revision is that it alters Han's initially morally ambiguous character, making his later transition from anti-hero to hero less meaningful; others claim that shooting Greedo was justified for itself, since Solo was likely to be killed by Greedo or Jabba the Hutt. The plausibility of Greedo missing from such a short distance is also considered questionable, and criticized as being depicted in an awkwardly facile manner.

Since the Special Editions, there have been two DVD releases. In the 2004 DVD release, the disputed scene was altered again. In this version, Greedo still shoots before Solo does, and he still misses at point-blank range, but the timing is altered (so the shots are fired at almost the same time) and Solo "dodges" the shot (by digitally leaning him to the side).

The 2006 DVD had two versions — the 2004 changes and the original theatrical version. The theatrical version features no changes, including Han Solo shooting without Greedo firing a shot. When announcing the dual-version DVDs, Lucasfilm noted that the scene was included by saying: "...and yes, [viewers] see Han Solo shoot first."^[2]

Recognition

Kelly Hu with George Lucas, Willow Springs Raceway, California. The shirt worn by Lucas says, "Han shot first."

In July 2007, Lucas was observed wearing a T-shirt with the words "Han shot first" on the set of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull^[3][4] and other events.^[5] In Aaron Allston's 2006 Star Wars: Legacy of the Force novel Betrayal, Leia says the line, "He's fine. Han shot first."^[6] Coincidentally, long before the Special Edition edit and the ensuing controversy, Han himself said "I happen to like to shoot first" in Brian Daley's 1979 novel Han Solo at Stars' End, following the line up with "As opposed to shooting second."^[7]

In popular culture

• In the 2001 movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Holden McNeil (played by Ben Affleck) refers to the creation of a Jay and Silent Bob movie as "The worst idea since Greedo shooting first."

• In Clerks 2, another movie by director Kevin Smith, Lance Dowds says to Randall and Dante: "When you two aren't arguing over who shot first, Han or Greedo, you actually find the time to make fun of other people."

See also

Star Wars portal

• List of changes in Star Wars re-releases

References