Han Solo

Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. The character first appeared in the 1977 film Star Wars portrayed by Harrison Ford, who reprised his role in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Ford returned to the role for The Force Awakens (2015), as well as a brief cameo in The Rise of Skywalker (2019). In the spin-off film Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), a younger version of the character was portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich.

The character is the captain of the Millennium Falcon who, along with Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca, becomes affiliated with the Rebel Alliance in their war against the Galactic Empire when he transports Jedi Ben Kenobi and his pupil Luke Skywalker to Alderaan. He also meets Leia Organa, whom he eventually marries and with whom he has a son, Ben Solo, who later becomes the villain Kylo Ren. Thirty years later, he is murdered by his own son while helping the young scavenger Rey destroy Starkiller Base, the First Order’s battle station.

The American Film Institute has named Solo as the 14th best film hero. Mythologist Joseph Campbell has described the character, "He thinks he's an egoist; but he really isn't. ... there's something else pushing [him]." In 1997, Lucas described Han as "a cynical loner who realizes the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good".

Ever since his debut, Han Solo has remained one of the most famous characters from the Star Wars series. In addition to the character being hailed as one of cinema's greatest heroes, Harrison Ford's performances in the franchise have received significant acclaim from critics and fans. Alden Ehrenreich's performance in Solo was also well received. Ford received two nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Actor, winning for his performance in The Force Awakens.