WARNING: We will be speculating wildly and, if we're being completely honest, a bit irresponsibly about Star Wars: The Force Awakens. These are all theories, ideas and guesses about the plotline, and we in no way, shape or form know what's actually going to happen. That being said, if you are a big spoiler-phobe and don't even want to know about theories regarding Episode VII, we suggest skipping this story altogether. And if you hate this theory with the fire of a thousand burning Death Stars, remember that it's all conjecture. Still worried about spoilers? Go. Leave. Now! And remember, Han shot first.
We are a little over a month away from the debut of The Force Awakens, our first new Star Wars movie in over 30 years.* And the buzz surrounding the next installment of the franchise is so positive that even the most jaded Jedi is giddy with anticipation. Talk about a new hope, right?!
*We don't count the prequels. Sorry.
But before everyone floods the theaters to watch a brand new story start with those words crawling up the screen, we want to talk about something. Something that is leaving us with knots in our stomach. It's a theory that we really hope isn't true, but the more we thought about it and dug into it, the more we have a bad feeling about a certain character. Actually, about many characters.
This is your last chance to leave before we get to spoilery speculation! If you don't leave now and get pissed off that we ruined the movie for you even after we warned you several times, you know what we're going to say to you, right?
"Let the hate flow through you."
Ready? Here we go!
The Theory: Han Solo (Harrison Ford) will die in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And his death will be caused, either directly or indirectly, by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
We know. That's awful to think about. And we hope we are dead wrong. But bear with us for a moment. Let's talk it out.
The Evidence:
1. Harrison Ford originally wanted Han to die after The Empire Strikes Back
Or during Return of the Jedi. Basically, he was done playing Han and he wanted his character to go out in a blaze of glory. And he thought it would make for a good story. (He's right). Of course, a lot has changed between Episode V and now, so for all we know Ford could be up for another trilogy as a scruffy looking Nerfherder. However, we could also see him signing up for The Force Awakens under the condition that Han gets killed off in spectacular fashion. If Han is killed off, he'll almost certainly die a hero. That would hopefully be enough to appease the devastated fans. After the mandatory one-month mourning period, of course.
2. We know Luke is MIA from promotional materials for a very specific reason
Director J.J. Abrams has been very strategic to keep Luke Skywalker almost completely out of all the trailers, posters and TV spots. Save for a quick shot of his mechanical arm reaching out to clutch R2-D2 (above) and some glimpses of what appears to be his lightsaber lost at Cloud City (below), we've seen nada of Luke. And J.J. has stated that this is done on purpose, most likely for spoiler-related reasons, because any shot of Luke would probably give away something. Like, a shot of Luke in Sith robes? Or in Dark Jedi attire?
Luke might be missing from the trailers because he has gone to the dark side, and audiences obviously should not be seeing that right now. Obviously there are plenty of reasons Luke hasn't been featured yet, but we're sticking with the dark side one to support our theory.
J.J. also claims that the question that led him to accept the job was Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy asking him: "who is Luke Skywalker?" If that question was enough for J.J. to dive into directing the film and if that question was enough to bring the Star Wars franchise back to life, it has to be something extremely complicated, layered and intriguing, right? A betrayal of that magnitude would certainly do the trick.
3. If Luke doesn't directly murder Han, it'll probably be someone very close to Luke and Han
There's also speculation that bad dude Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is a Solo, the son of Han and Leia, which would put him directly in the path of his father who has joined up with the rebellion yet again. Maybe Han can't take out his son when he has the chance, but Kylo is already so far gone that he ultimately kills his own dad. Or perhaps Han is trying to protect his son from Luke, an action that leads to his untimely demise. Or Luke is trying to protect Kylo from Han because he considers him a son. Father-son issues are not a new thing for the Star Wars universe, so this trio could be ripe with drama. So many options!
There has to be some kind of connection regarding Kylo, his obsession with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Unfortunately, that connection could result in Han drawing his last breath.
4. Rey and Han are almost definitely related
Both the new TV spot and the international trailer basically confirmed that Rey has a connection to Han Solo.
Rey tells BB-8 in the international trailer: "I know all about waiting…for my family."
And Lupita Nyong'o's character Maz Kanata tells Rey in the latest TV spot over shots of both Rey and Han: "I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes. I know your eyes."
There's also this line about "generations" that can't just be talking about a new era of Star Wars fans:
OK, so obviously Rey and Han are intertwined somehow. Why is their connection important? Well…
5. Rey's tearful shot in the trailer is her mourning Han
Who is Rey crying over? The Internet has been guessing and trying to pick apart that quick shot of Rey sobbing over what appears to be a body. Some people think they can see the shiny material of Chewbacca's bandolier. Others are convinced they can see the leather of Han's coat. All we know is that Rey is destroyed by whatever just happened. Wouldn't the death of the father you just found again be enough to tear you apart?
Of course, that's just a wild guess. Rey could be crying over anyone she cares about, which, based on the trailer, could be Finn (John Boyega), Chewie or any number of characters she meets along the way. She starts her journey as a loner and having someone ripped away from her just as she's beginning to bond with that person would definitely end with Dumbledore Death-levels of crying.
Rey losing the dad she just reconnected with could serve as the motive that pushes the character through the rest of the trilogy.
6. J.J. definitely has it in him
While he's not exactly known for Whedon-levels of emotional destruction, we know J.J Abrams is capable of killing off a beloved character. And if this decision was up to Harrison Ford himself, it's not like J.J. is going to say no to Indiana Jones, right?
7. J.J. is just doing his job
He's not directing Episode VIII. He's one and done, so his only job is to kick off the new trilogy. Luke betraying Han in any form is certainly a ballsy way to do that.
8. Can't you feel it?
Well, can't you? Luke killing Han would be the ultimate spark to set off the rest of the trilogy. Can't you just sense it in your bones that Han's death at the hands of Luke, either directly or indirectly, would make for a seriously compelling thread that would flow throughout the rest of the films? Rey would want to avenge him. Leia would want to understand why her brother committed this act. Finn would (maybe?) have lost a mentor. It's all there...all the captivating storylines that would push the narrative through 'til the end.
Of course, all it takes is one photo, one frame, one quote from J.J. or a castmember and this entire theory goes out the window. There are probably a million possible reasons why our theory is bulls--t, and we would love to hear them from you guys! (Politely and without calling us names, if you please). That's the beauty of speculation and theories; we can do it to our heart's content and no one is actually wrong until the movie is out. Only then can you mock us for being way off base.
Regardless of what you think of our theory, we can probably all agree that Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be the cinematic experience of the year, possibly decade. That we are 100 percent sure of. No evidence required. It's fact.