Han Solo facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the Star Wars character. For the Fast & Furious character also known by the alias Han Seoul-Oh ("Han Solo"), see Han Lue. For the trilobite also known as Han solo, see Han (trilobite).

Quick facts for kids Han Solo
Star Wars character
Promotional image of Harrison Ford as Han Solo for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977).
First appearance	Star Wars (1977)
Created by	George Lucas
Portrayed by	Harrison Ford (Episodes IV–VII, IX, The Holiday Special) Alden Ehrenreich (Solo)
Voiced by	Harrison Ford (The Holiday Special animated inserts and Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens) Kiff VandenHeuvel (Star Wars Forces of Destiny; old) A. J. Locascio (Star Wars Forces of Destiny; young)
Information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Conscript in the Imperial Forces Captain of the Millennium Falcon General in the Rebel Alliance Smuggler
Affiliation	Galactic Empire Jabba's Criminal Empire Rebel Alliance Skywalker family (by marriage) New Republic Resistance Galactic Alliance (in Legends)
Title	Cadet (Imperial Navy, Canon) Lieutenant (Imperial Navy, Legends) Corporal (Imperial Army) Captain (civilian smuggler) General (Rebel Alliance)
Spouse(s)	Leia Organa Sana Starros (Stennessian scam)
Children	Canon: Ben Solo / Kylo Ren (son) Legends Jaina Solo (daughter) Jacen Solo (son) Anakin Solo (son)
Relatives	Ovan (father) Luke Skywalker (brother-in-law) Owen Lars (step uncle-in-law) Beru Whitesun (step aunt-in-law) Anakin Skywalker (father-in-law) Padmé Amidala (mother-in-law) Shmi Skywalker (grandmother in-law) Cliegg Lars (step grandfather-in-law) Legends: Jonash E Solo (ancestor) Jonash Solo (father) Jaina Solo (mother) Tiion Solo (aunt) Randil Sal (uncle) Thrackan Sal-Solo (cousin) Jarik Solo (honorary cousin) Mara Jade Skywalker (sister-in-law) Ben Skywalker (nephew) Jagged Fel (son-in-law) Tenel Ka Djo (daughter-in-law) Allana Solo (granddaughter) Ania Solo (great-great granddaughter)
Nationality	Corellian
Homeworld	Corellia

Han Solo is a famous character from the Star Wars movies, created by George Lucas. He first appeared in the 1977 film Star Wars, played by Harrison Ford. Ford also played Han in The Holiday Special (1978), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983). He returned for The Force Awakens (2015) and had a small appearance in The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

A younger Han Solo was played by Alden Ehrenreich in the movie Solo (2018). In the animated show Forces of Destiny (2017–2018), he was voiced by Kiff VandenHeuvel and A. J. Locascio.

In the first Star Wars movies, Han Solo and his co-pilot Chewbacca are smugglers. They are hired by Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker to take them to Alderaan. They need to deliver stolen plans for the Death Star. At first, Han doesn't want to join the Rebel Alliance in their fight against the Galactic Empire. But he eventually does, and he falls in love with Princess Leia. They later marry, making him Luke's brother-in-law.

In the later Star Wars movies, set many years later, Han helps the Resistance. He joins scavenger Rey and former stormtrooper Finn. They fight against the First Order, led by Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren is actually Han and Leia's son, Ben Solo, who joined the dark side of the Force. This caused Han and Leia to separate. Han is killed by his son. However, he later appears as a memory to his son, helping him return to the light side of the Force.

The American Film Institute called Han Solo the 14th best film hero. Creator George Lucas described Han as a "cynical loner" who learns the importance of helping others. Han Solo is one of the most popular characters from Star Wars. Harrison Ford's acting as Han has been highly praised. Alden Ehrenreich's performance in Solo was also well-received.

Creating Han Solo

Han Solo's costume and blaster from Return of the Jedi.

When George Lucas first thought of Star Wars, Han Solo was an alien with green skin. Later, he became a bearded pirate. Eventually, Lucas decided Han would be a human. This helped to develop the relationships between Han, Luke, and Leia. Chewbacca became the alien sidekick instead.

By the third draft, Han was a "tough starpilot" like James Dean. Lucas also used actor Humphrey Bogart as an idea for the character. Han is seen as someone who acts selfish but deep down cares about others. Lucas explained that Han is the selfish friend to Luke, who is selfless.

Harrison Ford was not the first choice for Han Solo. Lucas had worked with Ford before and wanted a new actor. He hired Ford to read lines with other actors who were trying out for the part. Lucas was so impressed by Ford's reading that he decided to cast him. Many other famous actors were considered for the role, including Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Ford thought his character should die in the movies. He was not eager to sign on for more Star Wars films. Han Solo's death in The Force Awakens (2015) happened because director J. J. Abrams felt the character needed to evolve. He believed that Kylo Ren killing his own father would help Kylo become a powerful villain like Darth Vader.

Han Solo's Adventures

The Skywalker Saga

Original Trilogy

A New Hope

Han Solo first appears in Star Wars (1977). He and his co-pilot Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) are hired to take Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, and R2-D2 from Tatooine to Alderaan. Han owes a lot of money to the gangster Jabba the Hutt. A bounty hunter named Greedo (Paul Blake) tries to capture Han. Han shoots and kills Greedo before leaving Tatooine.

Han and his passengers are attacked by Imperial stormtroopers. They escape by flying the Millennium Falcon at light speed. When they reach Alderaan, they find it has been destroyed by the Empire. The Falcon is then captured by the Death Star. This is a huge battle station built by the Empire.

Han and his friends hide inside the Falcon and sneak into the station. They find out that Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is a prisoner. Luke convinces Han to help rescue her by promising a big reward. They rescue Leia and escape. Obi-Wan is killed by the Sith lord Darth Vader.

After taking Luke, Leia, and the droids to the Rebel Alliance, Han and Chewbacca get paid. They plan to leave. Luke asks Han to stay and help the Rebels attack the Death Star. Han refuses, not wanting to get involved. But Han changes his mind. He returns to save Luke's life during the big battle. This allows Luke to destroy the Death Star. At the end of the film, Leia gives Han a medal of honor.

The Empire Strikes Back

The prop used in The Empire Strikes Back of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

Three years later, Han is still with the Rebel Alliance. He is at their base on the icy planet of Hoth. While on patrol with Luke, they see something crash. Han goes back to base, but Luke investigates. Han tells Leia he must leave to pay his debt to Jabba the Hutt. Before he can go, they realize Luke hasn't returned. Han rides out alone and finds Luke almost frozen. Han uses Luke's lightsaber to cut open his tauntaun for warmth. This saves Luke until they are rescued.

Later, Han and Chewbacca find an Imperial Probe Droid. They destroy it, but not before the Empire learns where the Rebel base is. When the Empire attacks, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and C-3PO escape on the Millennium Falcon. Han flies through an asteroid field to escape Imperial TIE fighters. Han and Leia fall in love during their journey. Bounty hunter Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch), working for Vader, follows them.

Han and his friends go to Cloud City on Bespin. They seek repairs and help from Han's old friend Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). But Fett arrived first and told the Empire. Lando betrays Han to the Empire. Vader has Han hurt to make Luke come to Bespin. Vader wants to freeze Luke in carbonite, a special metal. He tests the process on Han first. Han survives, and Fett takes his frozen body to Tatooine to collect the bounty from Jabba.

Return of the Jedi

A year later, Han is still frozen in carbonite. He is a decoration in Jabba's palace on Tatooine. Luke tries to rescue him with Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Lando. But they are caught. Jabba sentences Han, Luke, and Chewbacca to die in the sarlacc pit. Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca fight back. Leia kills Jabba, and they escape.

They return to the Rebel fleet. They learn the Empire is building a second Death Star near the forest moon of Endor. Han is made a general in the Rebel Alliance, along with Leia. Han leads a Rebel team to Endor to destroy the force field around the new Death Star. The Empire captures them. But with help from the native Ewoks, Han's team destroys the shield generator. This allows Lando and his team to destroy the Death Star. Han then celebrates with Leia and Luke on Endor.

Sequel Trilogy

The Force Awakens

In The Force Awakens, set about 30 years after Return of the Jedi, Han has gone back to being a smuggler. He and Chewbacca had lost the Millennium Falcon to thieves. But they get it back when it takes off from the planet Jakku. It is piloted by the scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega). Han takes the Falcon into light speed to escape.

Han learns that Rey is looking for Luke, who disappeared years ago. He takes them to his old friend Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o). She can help get the droid BB-8 to the Resistance. They have to run when First Order troops arrive. Han is impressed by Rey's piloting skills. He offers her a job on the Falcon, but she says no. When Rey is kidnapped by the First Order, Han sees her taken by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Han seems to know him.

Han and Finn meet with the Resistance, led by Leia. Han hasn't seen Leia in years. It is then revealed that Kylo Ren is actually their son, Ben Solo. Ben trained as a Jedi under Luke. But he was tricked by the First Order's Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). He turned to the dark side of the Force. As Kylo Ren, he betrayed the Republic and destroyed the Jedi. This was like his grandfather, Darth Vader. Han and Leia were heartbroken by Ben's betrayal and separated. Leia asks Han to find Ben and bring him home. She believes there is still good in him.

Han and Chewbacca go with Finn to the First Order's superweapon, Starkiller Base. They plan to destroy the base and rescue Rey. There, Han sees Ren on a bridge above the reactor. Han follows Ren and calls out to him by his real name, Ben. Han begs him to leave the dark side and come back. He warns Ben that Snoke will kill him. Ren tells Han he knows what he should do, but he isn't strong enough. He asks Han for help, and Han agrees. Then, Ren turns on his lightsaber, stabbing and killing his father. Han looks into his son's eyes and touches his face before falling to his death.

The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi briefly remembers Han. In one scene, a bomb has "Han says hi" written on it. Later, Luke asks where Han is after seeing Chewie. He learns about Han's death. Luke gives Leia Han's gold dice, but this is part of a vision.

The Rise of Skywalker

Han appears briefly in The Rise of Skywalker. After a fight with Rey and Leia's death, Ben Solo sees a vision of Han. Han tells his son that Kylo Ren is gone, but Ben Solo is alive. Han tells his son to do the right thing and return to the light side. Ben admits he knows what to do but isn't sure if he has the strength. Han encourages him and touches his face. Ben then throws away his lightsaber, leaving the dark side and becoming Ben Solo again. When he turns back, Han has disappeared.

At the end of the film, Chewbacca is given Han's medal from the first movie.

Anthology Films

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Alden Ehrenreich portrayed a younger Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

A movie about Han Solo's younger life was released in 2018. It stars Alden Ehrenreich. In the film, 19-year-old Han is an orphan on the planet Corellia. He and his girlfriend, Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), try to escape a criminal gang. They bribe an Imperial officer to get on a transport ship. But Qi'ra is caught before she can board. Han promises to return for her and joins the Imperial Navy. The recruiting officer gives him the last name "Solo" because Han says he "has no people."

Three years later, Han is kicked out of the Imperial Flight Academy. He is sent to the Imperial Army. While fighting on Mimban, he meets a group of criminals led by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson). Han tries to join them, but Beckett has him arrested for leaving his post. Han is thrown into a pit to be eaten by a Wookiee outcast, Chewbacca. Han can understand Chewbacca's language. He convinces Chewbacca to escape with him. Beckett needs more help, so he rescues them and includes them in a plan to steal a valuable fuel called coaxium. The plan goes wrong.

Han and Chewbacca go with Beckett to explain their failure to Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany). Vos is a powerful crime lord and Beckett's boss. They also find Qi'ra, who is now Vos's top assistant. Han suggests a risky plan to steal unrefined coaxium from the mines on Kessel. Vos agrees, but insists Qi'ra go with them.

Qi'ra leads them to Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), a skilled smuggler and pilot. Han challenges Lando to a card game called sabacc. The prize is Lando's ship. Lando cheats and wins, but agrees to join the mission for a share of the profits. They board his ship, the Millennium Falcon, and head to Kessel. They successfully steal the coaxium, partly because Han pilots the ship through a dangerous, unknown route. Han and Qi'ra start to feel sympathy for the Rebel Alliance. They try to trick Vos, but Beckett has already told Vos about their plan. Vos sends his guards to kill the rebels. But Han warned the Rebels, who kill the guards instead.

Han then tries to take the coaxium. But Beckett betrays Vos, escapes with the coaxium, and takes Chewbacca hostage. Qi'ra is pressured to kill Han to prove her loyalty to Vos. Instead, she kills Vos and sends Han after Beckett. She then contacts Vos's boss, Maul.

Han catches up to Beckett and shoots him before Beckett can shoot back. Han and Chewbacca give the coaxium to the Rebels. Their leader, Enfys Nest (Erin Kellyman), offers Han a chance to join them. He declines, and she gives him one vial of coaxium. This is enough to buy his own ship. Han and Chewbacca visit Lando. Lando had left them earlier in the Falcon. Han challenges Lando to another game of sabacc, again for the ship. Han wins this time because he stole the card Lando used to cheat before. Han and Chewbacca leave for Tatooine in the Falcon. A gangster there is putting together a crew for a heist.

Television Appearances

In Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), Han helps Chewbacca join his family on the Wookiee home planet Kashyyyk. He fights Imperial forces on Kashyyyk. Later, he celebrates Life Day with Luke, Leia, and Chewbacca's family. The special includes an animated part where Harrison Ford voices Han.

Han also appeared in the animated Star Wars Forces of Destiny episode "Tracker Trouble" (2017). He was voiced by Kiff VandenHeuvel.

Books and Comics

In the Star Wars Legends stories (which are no longer official canon), Han comes from a very old family. An ancestor ruled the planet Corellia, Han's home world, thousands of years ago. His parents were named Jonash and Jaina Solo.

Books like The Han Solo Adventures (1979-1980) tell about Han and Chewbacca's smuggling before the original movies. Other books explain that Han owed Jabba the Hutt money because he had to dump his cargo to avoid Imperial forces. The Han Solo Trilogy (1997–1998) shows Han as a beggar and pickpocket when he was young. He became a pilot and joined the Imperial Navy. He was kicked out for refusing to hurt Chewbacca, who then swore a "life-debt" to Han. They became smugglers. Han won the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian in a card game. The trilogy ends with Han meeting Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mos Eisley, as seen in A New Hope.

Han plays a big part in many stories set after Return of the Jedi. In The Courtship of Princess Leia (1995), he marries Leia. They have three children: twins Jaina and Jacen, and a son Anakin. Chewbacca dies saving Anakin's life in Vector Prime (1999), which makes Han very sad. Anakin also dies later. Han eventually accepts his losses and makes peace with his family.

In the Legacy of the Force series, Jacen turns to the dark side and becomes the Sith Lord Darth Caedus. He starts a civil war. Han disowns him but is still hurt by his son's actions. Han and Leia adopt Allana (Jacen's daughter) after Jacen's death.

In 2014, most of these older Star Wars books and comics were called Star Wars Legends. They are not part of the official story anymore.

Canon Comics

Han is a main character in the 2015 Star Wars comic series. Issue #6 introduces Sana Starros as Han Solo's wife. However, it is later shown that she only married him as part of a scam to trick a crime lord.

Star Wars: Han Solo (2016) is a five-issue comic series set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. It shows Han taking part in a race. The comic adaptation of Solo: A Star Wars Story reveals that Han knew his father worked in shipyards on Corellia. Han Solo – Imperial Cadet (2018) shows his rebellious time in the Empire. Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022) shows them doing a job for Jabba, with Greedo joining them.

Why Han Solo is Popular

Han Solo is known as a daring smuggler with a funny, sarcastic attitude. He is very practical and thinks of himself as a materialist. But his adventures in the first Star Wars movie show his caring side, a trait he didn't know he had.

The American Film Institute ranked Solo as the 14th greatest film hero. Empire magazine called him the 4th greatest movie character ever. Entertainment Weekly put him 7th on their list of "The All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture." IGN listed Han Solo as the second greatest Star Wars character, after Darth Vader. They also said he was one of the top 10 characters who needed their own spin-off movie.

The producer of the video game Prince of Persia said their inspiration was anything Harrison Ford had done, like Indiana Jones and Han Solo. The main character of the Japanese anime Space Adventure Cobra has been compared to Solo. When preparing to play James T. Kirk, Chris Pine was inspired by Ford's Han Solo and Indiana Jones, noting their humor and "accidental hero" traits.

Harrison Ford won a 2016 Saturn Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Force Awakens.

Han Solo Merchandise

Han Solo has been featured in many products. These include action figures, video games, and other collectibles. An action figure of Han Solo was released in 1977. In 2018, Han Solo's blaster from Return of the Jedi (1983) was sold at auction for $550,000. Ripley's Believe It or Not! bought it. In 2022, the same blaster sold for $1,057,500. This set a Guinness record for the most expensive prop gun ever sold.