Dork Side of the Force
Fansided

Star Wars: The Last Jedi did right in omitting Han Solo’s funeral

By Neil Harrington

facebooktwitterreddit

Star Wars: The Last Jedi did right by not including the funeral of Han Solo in the latest Star Wars installment.

Were you expecting a send-off for Han Solo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi? Maybe a funeral or an obvious tribute to the beloved character? Well, Rian Johnson did neither, and he ruined our child-like love of Star Wars, right? Wrong!

Before you accuse me of blasphemy, let’s go to the “film room” and examine this omission closely — as Bill Belichick does in his mastery of shutting down opposing NFL defenses. Han Solo is given a worthy sendoff in The Last Jedi, but it’s camouflaged beautifully with a sense of complexity.

Right off the bat, the spirit of Han Solo lives during the space battle at the beginning of The Last Jedi. The magnetized bombs which destroyed the fearsome dreadnaught over the Resistance base D’qar have Han Solo written over it — quite literally.

“Han says hi.”

Once again, Han Solo plays a prominent “role” in the destruction of a superweapon. Rian Johnson brilliantly wove that beautiful Easter egg, entertainingly honoring the scruffy scoundrel — and the writer/director of The Last Jedi was just getting started.

Leia’s hairstyle and wardrobe, according to The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary, showcases a grieving widow, in particular, Star Wars fashion. Han was on Leia’s mind, which was evident during their initial escape from the First Order. Once again, subtlety is the method of honoring Han.

The lucky dice of Han Solo honored him significantly — evident to hardcore Star Wars fans, but not so much to those who “fly casual” with the franchise. Apparently Han’s “lucky charm” has been around since his younger days, which we see in the trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story. 

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

The dice also is seen within the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon in A New Hope, where if you blink, you’ll miss it.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

The purpose of this keepsake appearing throughout The Last Jedi is pay tribute to Han Solo.

Luke’s reflective moment on the Millenium Falcon was meant for Luke to mourn the loss of his dear friend. Once again, Han Solo’s presence is felt during the entire story.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

Also, during Luke and Leia’s reunion scene at the end of the film on Crait, that moment intended to honor  Han, not Leia. However, with the death of Carrie Fisher and the Force intervening, we were able to send off our Princess one last time. But, it’s one final goodbye for Solo, also.

"“No one is ever really gone.”"

When Luke faces off with his nephew Kylo Ren, the line uttered as he disappears, is an homage to what Han said to him decades before on Yavin.

"See you around, kid."

More from Dork Side of the Force

For those of you who wanted a Han Solo moment in The Last Jedi, you received it multiple times — just not the way you were expecting to receive it.

To be fair, when Princess Leia’s homeworld of Alderaan was blown to bits, there was no moment of silence or memorial service. The war went on, and Leia displayed great courage in carrying on as well. Also, there was no funeral service for Obi-Wan after his “destruction” at the hands Darth Vader. All we received was a moment of grief from Luke, with a bit of comforting from his sister — and that’s all. The show must go on.

But, for those of you who don’t care about the poetic way of honoring Han, you’re in luck. Rian Johnson and Jason Frye include a funeral for Han in the upcoming novelization for The Last Jedi. It will be a great moment, but it’s not necessary, with the film already say audios to Han Solo brilliantly.

Next: Journey to Solo with must-read novels, comics

The novelization for Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits bookstores March 6, and the dice of Han Solo will make another appearance in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story. 

Home/Han Solo