‘Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection’: Han Solo Shoots First?
Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection is finally here, but not without some controversy as rumors began to swirl around that a change was made — again — in the “Han Solo shoots first” debate.
News that the George Lucas saga would finally be available for legal download had mixed reaction from fans since there is reportedly not much we haven’t seen before. However, one of the burning questions, that has been debated for decades is whether Han Solo (Harrison Ford) shoots first — or not.
Badass Digest was reporting — via unnamed sources — that in the new Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection, Han Solo shoots first. This is different from what happens in the original confrontation in A New Hope.
In the original version, which was simply titled Star Wars (A New Hope was added later on), Han Solo is confronted by Greedo — the Rodian bounty hunter — at the Mos Eisley Cantina. When he asks Solo for payment of an old debt, the shooting begins. Han shoots first and kills Greedo.
But it is not that simple. In the Special Edition theatrical release, the Cantina scene is changed so that Greedo shoots and misses and that is when Han shoots and kills him. In other versions, it’s even less clear, as both seem to shoot at the same time, which led to the now-famous “Han Shot First” meme.
RT @ClassicStarWars: #starwars behind the scenes with Han Solo and Greedo's meeting pic.twitter.com/jZzPFlTfcG – Han shoots first!
— Tony Moyse (@Moysey1969) November 5, 2014
For those who don’t understand what the fuss is all about, we will explain. Lucas changed the original scene so Han Solo’s character would not be negatively impacted by his actions and motivations. After all, before joining the alliance, he was a self-centered, unscrupulous smuggler who only cared about himself and his Wookie, Chewbacca.
With the much talked about release of Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection, the “Did Han Solo shoot first” controversy is once again topic of discussion. Many websites reported there had been yet another change, and Han does indeed shoot first, as even Harrison Ford admitted.
Debate closed. Han Solo says he shot first. 'Nuff said. See the picture. #StarWars #hanshootsfirst pic.twitter.com/Utzb3tEGdB
— Edward Lazellari (@EdwardLazellari) December 8, 2014
According to Garth Franklin from Dark Horizons, who downloaded Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection in Australia, the rumor that Han Solo shoots first is not true.
Just downloaded "Star Wars: A New Hope" HD on Australian iTunes. No change from the Blu-ray – Greedo still shoots first god damn it.
— Garth Franklin (@darkhorizons) April 9, 2015
What do you think Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection should have done with “Han Solo shoots first?”
[Image via Lucasfilm]
