Summary

• Harrison Ford doesn't want to be defined by Star Wars, and he feels limited by his iconic Han Solo role.
• He criticized the one-dimensional nature of Han Solo's character, as he wanted more development.
• Ford's return to Star Wars proves his true love for the franchise, despite some criticisms and jokes.

It's common knowledge in the Star Wars fandom and beyond that Harrison Ford doesn't exactly seem to be the biggest fan of the franchise, and there are a few reasons behind why that is. Even as one of Hollywood's most well-known and accomplished actors over the years, Ford is still very much defined by his performance as Han Solo in Star Wars, the rough-around-the-edges yet lovable scoundrel who has, in a way, created his own character archetype. Despite his success in that role, Ford doesn't always speak about Star Wars in the kindest , or with much fondness.

Most of the time, these jabs at Star Wars are simple jokes, such as those seen in the video below. One of the most famous arrived in an interview with Collider, when he was asked whether Han or Greedo shot first and responded with a simple "I don't care." Seeing as he was laughing after saying this response, it's clear that Ford was simply making a joke. There are, however, still very real reasons behind why Ford has built such a reputation for "hating" Star Wars, even if he doesn't actually hate it all that much.

Harrison Ford Doesn't Want To Be Defined By Star Wars

He's Done Many, Many Other Roles Since

The main reason why Ford has fostered such a legendary distaste for Star Wars has little to do with the franchise itself and more to do with its cultural impact. After the massive success that was Star Wars in 1977, Ford became forever defined by his role as Han Solo, no matter what else he did afterward - with only Ford's role as Indiana Jones challenging for the same amount of recognition. This is often the case with actors who have been a part of iconic franchises, and for some, it becomes frustrating over time to have little separation between them and their roles.

Ford isn't the only one in the Star Wars franchise who has felt, or feels, this way. One similar actor from the very same movie was Sir Alec Guinness, who also expressed his frustration with the fact that, after years and years of tackling major, accomplished roles, he was mostly recognized for his work as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Considering the fact that Star Wars was never expected to become the cultural phenomenon and worldwide success that it is today, it's easy to understand why actors such as Ford and Guinness became frustrated with this permanent association.

Harrison Ford Wanted More For Han Solo's Character

Not More Content, But More Development

Another motivating factor behind Ford's criticisms of Star Wars are his thoughts on Han Solo as a character. It's no secret that Ford considers the character to be quite one-dimensional, something he believed so strongly about that he even argued with George Lucas about Han's character and the writing as a whole while on set. Because of the way Han's character ultimately panned out in the original Star Wars trilogy, Ford was ultimately less than pleased, and that caused his attachment to the character to lessen even more as a result.

Ford simply felt frustrated that his concerns about the character he had to bond so closely with were not properly dealt with.

This, however, was clearly out of a ion Ford had for Han in the first place. He has since described his experience on Star Wars with fondness, which makes it clear that Ford did enjoy portraying Han and simply wanted better for this man he was bringing to life in the galaxy far, far away. Ford simply felt frustrated that his concerns about the character he had to bond so closely with were not properly dealt with. Thankfully, Han has since been fleshed out more in ing materials, but Ford didn't even get to be a part of those.

Ford Was The One Who Wanted To Kill Han Solo Off

He Felt That Han Had Served His Purpose

It's also well-known that Ford ran what he called a 30-year-old campaign for Han to get killed off in Star Wars, but this idea of his wasn't rooted in ill intentions. Rather, Ford truly felt as if the character had served his purpose in Star Wars' narrative, and he didn't want the character to suffer by extending his story in an unnecessary way. This is why Ford wanted Han to die in Star Wars, and that wish was finally granted to him when Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered in 2015.

This, of course, added to the hilarious lore of Ford hating Star Wars. Clearly, he had some kind of influence on the decision to kill off Han, but it also served the story. It was Han's death that sealed Ben Solo's fall to the dark side as Kylo Ren, just as it was the vision of Han in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker that completed Ben Solo's turn back to the light side. As painful as it is to rewatch, it's clear that Ford had the right idea all along for Han to be killed in Star Wars.

Ford's Return To Star Wars Alone Proves His Love For The Franchise

Ford, At Worst, Has A Complicated Relationship With Star Wars

Ford's return for both The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker proves that he truly has no deep-rooted hatred for Star Wars. While he may joke about it often and openly criticize some of the decisions made for his character and the overall story, Ford clearly has no ill will for the franchise as a whole. Interviews for The Force Awakens heard him discuss how gratifying it was to return for the new era, and the way he embraces many of these Star Wars jokes proves just how deep his true love for the franchise goes.

At the very worst, then, Ford simply has a complicated relationship with the Star Wars franchise. While he acknowledges how much it's changed his life and how much fun he's had portraying Han and interacting with fans, he also acknowledges the way it's overshadowed many of his other accomplished roles and has reminded him of the frustrations he's harbored about Han's character as a whole. It's easy to understand this perspective, and no matter what, Harrison Ford will always be a beloved part of the Star Wars galaxy.