For being the best reviewed sci-fi movie of 2017, Star Wars: The Last Jedi has sure ruffled many feathers. Amidst a flurry of complaints, one issue fans have had is the somewhat muted reaction The Last Jedi had to Han Solo’s death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. While there were references in The Last Jedi, and his death was certainly felt throughout the narrative, many were expecting a more grand send-off; a funeral, perhaps? Well, according to Rian Johnson, the film simply had no time to address it. During an interview with Collider, the director reveals that he had no intention of including such a scene in the film:
“[There was no debate of showing Han Solo’s funeral], just because pacing-wise it didn’t have a place. It’s tough in Star Wars because 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!’ There’s the moment for it, but it’s not long. 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.”
This is certainly reasonable, but many might feel that Han Solo earned a greater send-off, given that he is an icon. However, it can’t be denied that The Last Jedi had some stellar pacing (FYI: This writer enjoyed the smuggler’s side-quest in the film. Carry on!). What do you think about the decision to leave out a funeral for Han? Let us know in the comments!
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In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi sees returning cast members Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), Peter Mayhew and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb) and Warwick Davis joined by new additions Jimmy Vee (Pan) as R2-D2, Kelly Marie Tran (Ladies Like Us) as Rose, Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy) as DJ and Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) as Vice Admiral Holdo.
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Originally published February 2, 2018. Updated December 19, 2019.
