Don’t worry, Star Wars fans: if you’re still not over Han Solo’s death in The Force Awakens, you’re not alone. The Last Jedi will see many of the characters still coming to terms with it.
It is not my intent to depress everybody with this news all over again, but since Han Solo totally bit it in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi will probably have a big cloud of death hanging over it when we all watch it in December. Though it’ll be a little harder to get over our grief seeing our beloved Leia on the big screen for the last time, we’ll be able to work through our Han Solo emotions in tandem with the rest of the characters during The Last Jedi.
Chewbacca
Of course, Chewie’s broken heart was apparent immediately. So much so, he shot at Kylo Ren (someone who he’d just as likely had a relationship or strong bond with at some point or another). As Rian Johnson explained to Entertainment Weekly this week:
"“Chewie’s doing all right. It’s tough. It was obviously a big loss for him, but, you know, he’s Chewie. He’s resilient. He’s got broad Wookiee shoulders, and he also has a new mission. He’s got Rey, and she’s someone that Han, to a certain extent, handed the keys to. So I think that that helps.”"
Oh, he can’t mourn because he’s a Wookiee? What? Well, it would be weird to see him cry. But I like the confirmation that he’ll be Rey’s partner in crime for the foreseeable future.
Rey
Speaking of partner in crime, the other witness who cried out when Han died? Rey. Well, I mean, we all did, but… Daisy Ridley explained it’s a mixture of confusion and anger, too.
"“She just doesn’t understand Kylo. When all she wanted was parents, why would a person who has parents do that? It’s so beyond comprehension, it’s ridiculous. So she has grief for the loss and then there’s anger. To be honest, she couldn’t understand doing something like that, let alone to your parents.”"
That sounds like a Daisy Ridley answer. She did, in fact, confirm that Han Solo felt like a father to her, even in the brief amount of time they spent together:
"“’Oh my God, this other man that I lost within a couple days was somewhat of a father figure. Now he’s gone, and instead I’m with this grumpy guy on an island who doesn’t want me here.’”"
Kylo Ren
While Kylo Ren committed the unspeakable act, one wonders if Star Wars still plans a redemption arc for him down the line. Much of The Force Awakens is spent watching him in turmoil. Naturally, it’s pretty juvenile, but angsty nonetheless. And Rian Johnson said this them in Kylo Ren will continue in The Last Jedi:
"“He’s definitely been knocked off base. The defeat that he had at the end of The Force Awakens, but even bigger than that, his huge defining act which, spoiler alert, is the murder of his father… that’s the more interesting thing to dive into. How has he dealt with that in his head? Where is he at in terms of that act and what does that mean for him?”"
General Leia
And as for his mother, Leia’s distraught but keeps the bigger picture in mind.
"“She’s suffered quite a bit. While I was figuring out what her deal was going to be in this film, it’s one of the things I talked about with Carrie before I started writing: where the character would go.”"
Luke Skywalker
For Luke, Mark Hamill explained that his beloved character feels a lot of regret. Moreover, he feels responsible for Kylo Ren’s choice.
"“And he is betrayed, with tragic consequences. Luke feels responsible for that. That’s the primary obstacle he has to rejoining the world and his place in the Jedi hierarchy, you know? It’s that guilt, that feeling that it’s his fault, that he didn’t detect the darkness in him until it was too late.”"
And Hamill also added:
"“I think he probably looks out on the horizon and wishes that he could be more effective, could be what Obi-Wan wanted him to be. But life is imperfect and without conflict there is no drama. Believe me, you’re going to see a lot of conflict in The Last Jedi. That is for sure.”"
Just like Darth Vader’s presence presents itself in various ways throughout every entry in Star Wars, The Last Jedi‘s director promises Han Solo won’t be forgotten. Even without Harrison Ford, “a figurative ghost of Han had to be present throughout this entire film.”
Related Story: The Last Jedi will probably be just like The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars The Last Jedi opens in theaters on Dec. 15, 2017. Stay tuned for more Star Wars coverage right here on Culturess.