Harrison Ford Shares The Truth Behind Han Solo’s Death In ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Harrison Ford recently answered a question regarding his final role in the Star Wars saga, following Han Solo’s unfortunate demise in the Force Awakens, and the discussion has shed some light on the situation.

Even though Ford admitted on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he enjoyed reprising his role as Han Solo, it’s no secret that he was pleased at the character’s exit. He was not a fan of playing the role in the 80s, and he wasn’t shy about sharing that fact.

He said in an interview following Return of the Jedi that he thought the death of Han Solo would “give it some [emotional] bottom.”

So, when Han Solo perished at the hand of his son, it wasn’t as surprising as it could have been. “I think it’s a fitting use of the character,” Harrison wrote to Entertainment Weekly during a Tumblr Q & A. “I’ve been arguing for Han Solo to die for about 30 years, not because I was tired of him or because he’s boring, but his sacrifice for the other characters would lend gravitas and emotional weight.”

Since the death, questions have abounded regarding things such as the legitimacy of the death and the purpose. Some argue that he’s not really dead and that he’ll come back in future episodes. Others say he’s gone for good, but that his death was a suicide.

When pressed to see if Han is gone for good, Harrison Ford refused to say anything. Still, the interview has successfully cast doubt on the idea that he won’t be involved in any future films.

Before you get too excited, it’s important to recognize that this could mean several things. It could mean that Han Solo is somehow still alive and will come back in future episodes, though this has never happened in the history of Star Wars, and it’s not likely to begin with The Force Awakens.

It could also mean that Ford will reappear in the films in flashback or as a ghost-being, like Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin Skywalker. Each of these explanations are highly plausible given the history of the character.

Based on Ford’s skillful dodge-around of the question, it’s fairly clear that he’s not done with the series yet, or that the series is done with him yet. He’ll be involved in future films, but the question is how?

As for the suicide theory, there are several fans who believe that Han Solo may have allowed Kylo Ren to kill him as a way to help him in the end.

Just before the murder, Ren says “I know what I have to do, but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it. Will you help me?”

All through this, Solo, a highly skeptical, guarded man moves closer to his son and says, “Yes. Anything.”

At this point, he must know the danger of getting so close to an emotionally dangerous man holding a lightsaber, but he still pursues, resulting in his death. The fan theory indicates that Solo knew the only way to help his son was to allow his own death in order to bring his son closer to the light side.

Or perhaps he knows that General Snoke would kill Ren for failing to complete his task, and he gave his life to save him.

There’s not much evidence to support this other than wild speculation, but it’s an interesting notion to consider.

We still have a good year and a half before the sequel to The Force Awakens arrives, and there will be plenty more time to speculate about Han Solo’s death until then.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]