Things You Didn't Know About Han Solo

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT HAN SOLO

* I love all things Star Wars in the first trilogy of movies and have written a couple editorials about the films and characters. But here are a few things I bet you didn’t know about one of my favorite characters, Han Solo!

* In George Lucas’ original script of “Star Wars,” Han Solo was not the square-jawed, human scoundrel, but instead he was a green swamp-like creature from the Alien race called Ureallians. He was also going to be a Jedi.

* Lucas took his cue from his friend and legendary director Francis Ford Coppola and his smooth-talking persona about how Han Solo should be portrayed.

* There was stiff competition for the role of Han Solo with some stars either outright offered the role or auditioned for the role before Harrison Ford landed the job. Up for the part were Kurt Russell, Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino. (Thank Heavens Ford was chosen, though Kurt would have done a pretty good job.)

* It has been said that Solo actually served in the Imperial Army during his youth and that is when he helped save Chewy from a life of slavery, and why he has no love for the Dark Side.

* In the original script, which has Han Solo stating he made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, the statement was to be an outright lie and boast said only by Solo just to impress Ben Kenobi.

* A nerf herder is a person who herds space cows called Nerfs. And when Princess Leia called Solo a half-witted, scruffy looking nerf herder, he didn’t take offense to being called a nerf herder, but was upset she called him scruffy looking.

* The Millennium Falcon is from Han’s home planet of Corellia.

* Han was supposed to say, “Just remember that, ‘cause I’ll be back,’ after Leia tells him she loves him, before he descends into the carbonite chamber. Instead Ford delivered the iconic line, “I know.”