Game Character:
Han Solo
Character Bio
Though most details of his youth remain unknown, several Star Wars books such as The Paradise Snare seem to indicate that Han Solo was orphaned at an early age. As a young man, Han enlisted in the Imperial Academy only to be kicked out after saving the life of a Wookie named Chewbacca who then joined the Corellian from then on to serve a life debt.Over the course of the next few years, the duo had numerous adventures and eventually wound up as smugglers. At some point during these years, Han acquired a speedy Corellian light freighter called the Millennium Falcon from his friend Lando Calrissian in a card game called sabacc. With this ship, Han's reputation as a smuggler increased. However, the dangers of the job eventually caught up to him when he was forced to dump a load of illegal spice upon being boarded by the Empire. Needless to say, his employer, Jabba the Hutt, was not at all happy about this and wanted to be repaid for the loss.
As luck would have it, Han met a young man named Luke Skywalker and an old Jedi named Obi-Wan Kenobi at the Mos Eisley cantina on Tatooine. The two needed transport to Alderaan for reasons they could not disclose and were willing to pay more than enough to compensate his debt to Jabba. Little did Han realize that this was his first step to becoming one of the key players in the Rebel Alliance's war against the Empire.
In the days to follow, Han assisted in the rescue of Princess Leia Organa from the Death Star and played an integral part in helping Luke destroy the battle station. Over the next several years, Han took a more active role in the Alliance -- and became quite fond of Leia, who seemed to be put off by the former smuggler's arrogance.
Meanwhile, Jabba still wanted his money. As seen in The Empire Strikes Back, Han was captured by the Empire, placed in a state of hibernation within carbonite and handed to the bounty hunter Boba Fett to collect Jabba's reward. It took a concerted effort by Luke, Leia, Chewbacca and Lando to free him, destroying Jabba's cartel in the process.
Han was then promoted to general and led a strike force to disable the new Death Star's shield so that Rebel ships could penetrate the station's defenses and destroy it. The plan seemed a failure at first, but with a little help from the Ewoks, the Alliance finally succeeded in ending Emperor Palpatine's reign once and for all.
Han's further adventures are chronicled in numerous Star Wars books released since 1992. He and Leia would marry and eventually have three children, each powerful with the Force. Thus far, no videogames have delved into this time period.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Originally, the character of Han Solo was to have been a green-skinned alien Jedi.
FAVORITE TRANSPORT: The Millennium Falcon
AMBITIONS: To free the galaxy, make Leia fall for him and shake any bounty hunters who Jabba the Hutt might send his way.
HEROES: Garm Bel Iblis, a former instructor of his and Imperial senator
QUOTES:
"Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight: I take orders from just one person -- me!" (to Leia early in their relationship)
"Hey... It's me." (said in a cocky way before heading into a dangerous situation)
"Sometimes I amaze even myself."
"You like me because I'm a scoundrel." (to Leia)
"I know." (response to Leia's "I love you" as he is lowered into the carbonite freezing chamber)
"Never tell me the odds!" (to C-3PO as they are chased by the Empire through an asteroid field)
OTHER MEDIA: Outside of the Star Wars films and games, other notable media featuring Han Solo include comic books, toys from Kenner and countless Star Wars fan sites. Additionally, it's hard not to find a piece of merchandise that the name Star Wars has yet to attach itself to.
SOURCES:
Star Wars, 20th Century Fox © 1977
The Empire Strikes Back, 20th Century Fox © 1980
Return of the Jedi, 20th Century Fox © 1983
Star Wars: Behind the Magic
Han Solo is a trademark and copyright of Lucasfilm Ltd. ~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
