Star Wars is loaded with a colorful and fun cast of characters, and it all started with the 1977 original that introduced audiences to key heroes like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and, of course, the lovable Han Solo. This scoundrel flunked out as an Imperial cadet before running smuggling ops for the galaxy's most dangerous crime lords.
During the events of the first film, Han goes from a simple crook to savior of the galaxy thanks to his courageous actions at the Battle of Yavin. There's plenty of moments in between where the character shined, and here are 10 times Han Solo was a total Boss.
He Gave Lando A Knuckle Sandwich
They say there's no honor among thieves, and, evidently, none among smugglers, either. After successfully shaking pursuing Imperial forces, Han set course for Bespin to meet up with his smooth-talking old buddy Lando Calrissian, believing he could find safe harbor there.
Unbeknownst to Han, the bounty hunter Boba Fett triangulated their destination and tipped off Darth Vader who arrived first. He forced Calrissian to set a trap for Han, Leia, Chewie, and the droids. Enraged by the betrayal, Han shook off an agonizing bout of torture and decked Lando right across the face in revenge.
He Blew Up The Death Star's Shield Generator
Han was originally supposed to lead a secret strike team to the forest moon of Endor in order to knock out the shield generator protecting the incomplete second Death Star. Things went sour when it was revealed that the Emperor had foreseen this tactic and moved to capture them in an attempt to sway Luke to the dark side.
Fortunately, Palpatine didn't take into the local Ewoks who engaged the Imperials in a surprise attack. In one last-ditch effort to gain entrance to the shield generator's interior, he posed as an AT-ST pilot in order to lure the Imperials out, at which point they were swarmed by Rebel and Ewok forces.
He Became A General
Being wingman for the guy who destroyed the Death Star was bound to get Han plenty of accolades, and that's precisely what happened. For his bravery and valor at the Battle of Yavin, Han was not only decorated with a medal of heroism, but he was also promoted to the rank of General by the Alliance.
All in all, this was a Boss moment Han was definitely proud of. After all, he had gone from a two-bit smuggler to a decorated officer fighting for the freedom of the entire galaxy. Not a bad accomplishment for a scruffy lookin' nerf herder.
He Took A Shot At Vader
When Lando Calrissian lured Han and his crew to Bespin, he managed to lull them all into a false sense of security until the moment he unveiled his true plan. He invited them all to dinner, but he failed to tell them that none other than Darth Vader was waiting to them.
Upon seeing the door slide open, Han immediately drew his blaster and took several shots at the fearsome Sith Lord before it was ripped from his hands via the Force. Still, few men would have had the sheer audacity and bravado to try and take down such an intimidating foe.
He Saved Luke, Twice
Luke Skywalker may have successfully blown up the first Death Star and later turned his father away from the dark side, but he couldn't have accomplished either without Han's intervention. The first time he saved Luke was during the Death Star trench run. Before Vader could zero him and destroy his X-Wing, Han Solo flew in with the Millennium Falcon and distracted Vader long enough for his wingmen to collide and explode.
Later on Hoth, Luke set out to examine a supposed meteorite that struck the snowy surface of the planet, only to be attacked by a fearsome Wampa. After escaping its lair, Luke collapsed into the snow as the temperature dropped. Han showed up to save him once more, a fact he was only too happy to boast about.
He Chased After Stormtroopers
Han had a lot of courage, but sometimes his judgment required an overhaul. While onboard the first Death Star, Han, Leia, Chewie, Luke, and the droids stumbled upon a squad of stormtroopers. Han blasted the first one which sent the others running away.
Rather than take the opportunity to escape, Han chased them down, much to the confusion of Luke and Leia. Unfortunately, Han turned a corner and walked straight into a full contingent of stormtroopers which had him turning tail and running back exactly the same way he came. Still, kudos for courage.
He Courted Princess Leia
Solo has flown from one end of the galaxy to another, has seen a lot of strange things, and has participated in some of the craziest actions imaginable, but nothing could prepare him for his greatest and most intimidating challenge: courting the ever-quotable Princess Leia.
Far from a shrinking violet damsel in distress, Leia was raised to fight by her adoptive father, Bail Organa. She could carry herself in a room full of diplomats just as easily as break out a blaster and mow down stormtroopers. Han might have been a badass, but Leia was the one who gave him reason to stop and pause.
He Flew Into An Asteroid Field
According to the ever-helpful C-3PO, the chances of successfully navigating an asteroid field are approximately three-thousand, seven-hundred and twenty to one. Odds be damned; Han decided to take the Falcon into one of the worst asteroid fields of the bunch in order to force the Imperials to give up chase.
itting that it wasn't his smartest decision, Han somehow managed to avoid being obliterated by the chaotic asteroids all around them. It was definitely one of his best Boss moments of the entire franchise.
He Didn't Say "I Love You"
When Darth Vader successfully captured Han, Leia and Chewie, he intended to use them as bait to bring Luke Skywalker to Bespin for a showdown. His objective was clear: defeat Luke and freeze him in carbonite so he could be transported to his master Darth Sidious, aka Emperor Palpatine.
As the carbon freeze chamber was prepared, Leia poured out her feelings for him by saying "I love you," only for the scoundrel to reply "I know." Director Irvin Kershner remarked in an interview that the original line "I love you, too" felt insincere, necessitating multiple takes. He finally told Harrison Ford "Don't think about it! Roll camera!" Ford ad-libbed the line "I know," to which Irvin remarked "Yeah! That's Han Solo!"
He Shot First
Special Editions be damned; Han shot first. Everyone knows it, and those who refuse to it it are lying. While George Lucas tried to make Han into a more heroic character, it felt cheap and unwanted. Fans wanted to see a character who went from being cold and merciless to a benevolent hero by the end of the film.
It all happened when a bounty hunter named Greedo came to collect on a price put on Han's head by Jabba the Hutt. Thinking he had the upper hand, Greedo struck up a condescending conversation with Han that gave him ample time to unbuckle his blaster. The result was fried Rodian, and a scene that lives on forever, whether Lucas likes it or not.
