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The Last Jedi: Rian Johnson explains the omission of Han Solo’s funeral

By Neil Harrington

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Rian Johnson reveals why Han Solo’s funeral is not included in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi made it clear that letting the past die is the direction that the latest Star Wars installment is heading. It began in The Force Awakens, where Harrison Ford finally was granted his wish, with the tragic death of the beloved Han Solo.

Recently, the Star Wars Show revealed that Han Solo’s funeral would be in the upcoming novelization of The Last Jedi. But, why wasn’t that scene in the movie? Rian Johnson, Writer/Director for The Last Jedi, explains why that scene is omitted from the final script in a recent interview with Collider. 

"There was no debate of showing Han Solo’s funeral, just because pacing-wise it didn’t have a place."

From the word go, The Last Jedi is action-packed, with the Resistance fleeing their exposed base, pursued by the ruthless First Order. There’s no time to focus on the past, but instead on the future — with survival hanging in the balance for the overmatched group.

Plus, Star Wars has always had this particular philosophy, where the primary characters press on after dealing with tragedy and adversity.

"I always think about the mourning that Luke gives to Ben’s death, which is all of four-and-a-half seconds before, ‘Come on kid we’re not out of this yet’ and then boom, you’re into ‘Yay, woo-hoo! Don’t get cocky!’… We don’t have time for our sorrows, commanders. That’s kind of the thing of Star Wars; you don’t really linger on grief because you’re moving forward."

Rian Johnson hit the nail on the head, displaying once again why he was the right man for the job. Like Luke, Leia didn’t have time to mourn the destruction of her home planet of Alderaan and the loss of her (adoptive) parents. Instead, she was there for Luke and led a rebellion against an oppressive regime.

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Plus, if you pay attention while watching The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson pays tribute and does give Han Solo a proper burial, of sorts. His presence is felt throughout the entire film. After the Resistance initially escapes the First Order, Leia is grieving in hyperspace, where Johnson reveals that she’s mourning the loss of her husband.

According to The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary, the attire Leia is sporting is an Alderaanian mourning gown. The dice that we see over and over again is the good luck charm Han Solo uses to win the Millenium Falcon from Lando — which we will see in the upcoming Solo film. There are Han Solo, Easter eggs galore peppered throughout the entirety of the film. 

When Luke and Leia reunite on Crait, that moment was meant to be a funeral and putting to rest of Han Solo. Luke’s line to Kylo Ren before he vanishes is an homage to Han Solo.

"See you around, kid."

Rian Johnson made the correct decision paying tribute to Han Solo by using other methods, instead of slowing down the film with an actual funeral. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for sending off our favorite scoundrel creatively and innovatively. You have nothing to apologize for, with The Last Jedi being a true masterpiece.

Next: We break down the most shocking moments from TLJ

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently playing in theatres, worldwide. The novelization hits stores in March, which will include the funeral of Han Solo.

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