“Star Wars” fans who have stewed for nearly two decades about George Lucas’s controversial edits can rest easy — Han Solo really shot first.
A newly discovered copy of the original “Star Wars” script in the archives of the University of New Brunswick’s library in Saint John shows that “scoundrel” Han Solo, famously portrayed by Harrison Ford, killed bounty hunter Greedo before he moved. Edits made to the film in 1997 showed Solo shooting only after being fired upon.
“I was just looking actually for something else entirely and then I just found this unique-looking item,” said librarian Kristian Brown, CBC News reported.
Lucasfilm Publicity said the script, dated March 15, 1976, appears to be an authentic fan-made copy. Instead of “Star Wars,” the movie was called “Saga I,” and Luke Skywalker was referred to ask Luke Starkiller, CBC reported.
“I’ll tell you one thing, right now. Based on the script, I can tell you 100 percent, Han shot first,” the librarian told the newspaper.
The franchise’s next installment, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” will be in theaters Dec. 18. The film, directed by J.J. Abrams and featuring Mr. Ford reprising his role as Han Solo, will star John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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