Star Warshas introduced the world to a plethora of characters for fans to either love or hate, and one of the most popular is Han Solo. Introduced as a pilot and smuggler inA New Hope, Han is presented as the ultimate mercenary who ends up siding with the Rebellion.
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Still, while he may be fighting on the side of the good guys inStar Wars, he is a morally ambiguous character throughout much of his existence in films, series, books and comic books. While the bad boy may appeal to many viewers and readers, there’s still plenty he has done wrong.
7Joined The Empire
Technically, this is only evil in the context ofStar Wars, but still, he joined the Empire being presented as evil. While joining your country’s military can be wonderful service to the nation, the Empire inStar Warshas enslaved systems and, at the time he joined, was building a weapon that would ultimately destroy planets.
On top of joining the bad guys, he ends up deserting them in the middle of a battle on Mimban togo follow a criminal. Yes, that led to him finding Chewie and meeting Lando, but he sided with the villains, and then abandoned them, not because he recognized they were wrong but to go follow someone he knows is also wrong.
6Selfishness
At his best, Han Solo can be a well-meaning and downright loving man. He fought hardto save Qi’raand put himself in harm’s way to make sure Luke could blow up the Death Star. But, over time, that well-meaning man disappeared and as he became more hardened by life’s struggles, he also became more selfish.
RELATED:Star Wars: Biggest Mistakes Made by the New RepublicDespite not wanting to sit around the Death Star, he has to be coerced into saving Princess Leia with the thought of money. Then, he runs away from the Rebellion when he gets his money despite knowing what they are battling. After defeating the Empire, he ends up leaving Leia after their son turned evil. Too many times Han only thought about Han.
5Stole Wife’s Money
In theStar Warscomics, it’s revealed that some time before the events ofA New Hope, Han had married a woman named Sana and stolen her money. It’s later revealed the two were working a scam, but Han took off with Sana’s half of the cut.
While Sana is a less than honorable person herself who probably would’ve done the same thing to Han, it shows how ruthless Han can be. It also proves there is no honor among thieves.
4Smuggling (And Owing Money)
Han took up work for Jabba the Hutt as a smuggler after Qi-ra left him. He was widely recognized as being a great smuggler but when he is introduced inA New Hope, Han owes Jabba money, because he dropped his cargo and desperately needs the money promised by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
His debt helped the Empire to track down the Millennium Falcon to set a trap for Luke inThe Empire Strikes Backand got him frozen in carbonite. After the original trilogy, his debts caused him to lose the Falcon before the events ofThe Force Awakensand created much bigger issues before his death.
3Shady Gambling
Lando Calrissianis every bit the scoundrel Han Solo is, so there’s not a lot of compassion when he is a victim, but Han’s trick to win the Millennium Falcon in a game of Sabacc is still dirty and underhanded. While Lando had been using a device to ensure he always had the winning hand, Han proved to be no better.
In the end, Han leaves with the Falcon and the next time, in chronological order, Lando appears on-screen is at Cloud City. Both find redemption in the saga, but this was a clear case of everyone being in the wrong.
2Leaving Family
When Ben Solo becameKylo Ren, it tore his family apart. His father, Han Solo, mother, Leia Organa, and uncle, Luke Skywalker, all reacted in different ways. Han’s reaction is certainly the worst as he took off leaving his wife to return to a life of smuggling.
RELATED:Star Wars: Legends Stories That Should Be Made CanonWhile Han doesn’t appear to be a “deadbeat dad,” he does become a terrible husband during his son’s rebellion and descent to the dark side. Han never stopped loving Leia, nor did Leia stop loving Han. It’s understandable their relationship may not have survived their son’s fall, but it would’ve been better if Han had stayed and tried to help Leia reach their son.
1Murder
Both times in the series Han is shown to kill someone in a direct battle have technically been murder. Han shoots Greedo (Han shot first) before Greedo could shoot him. This, chronologically, follows a similar instance of him killing Tobias Beckett by shooting before Beckett could shoot him.
While the viewer is meant to infer that Han’s life is in danger in both scenarios, justifying his actions, from an outside perspective, both look like murder. It’s part of what makes Han a cool and popular character, but it’s still not a good action for a supposed hero of the series to take.
