Yes the very point that Lucas seems to entirely miss about his very own work is that it had nothing to do with shooting Greedo in cold blood it was to do with the fact Greedo was about to murder him himself so what else would a character do in that situation? Ask for a duel so it was a fair fight?
@@Jeremy-f3sHe's not misunderstanding, that's exactly the interpretation he has. All the special editions did was make that dynamic more clear, especially on a visual level, that Greedo was about to shoot Han.
Han was always shooting in self-defense. There has never been a version where Han shot Greedo in "cold blood" that only existed in the minds of some individuals who didn't understand the movie. Lucas just wanted to make it clearer since the films should also work without dialogue and only through visuals.
1. Han Solo was not a good guy. He becomes one eventually. A character going through an arc and becoming better - is a good thing for the story. 2. Greedo pointed the gun at him first, then openly threatened him verbally. Han shot in self defense. This is hardly "shooting somebody in the back".
I think Lucas's intent was this - Greedo had the gun on Han the whole time. Han slimily pulled his gun under the cover of the table and shot Greedo in self defense. In the 1970s the anti-hero was in. Many liked the image of Han being slimy. So they saw it as more ruthless than Lucas intended. When he did the special editions, he decided to alter the scene to make it more clear that Han, despite doing it covertly, was only shooting in self defense. It's sort of a reaction to decades of fans 'misinterpreting' it. Should the changes have ever been made at all? IDK. In 1997, the special editions served as a good live test for some of the extensive (and groundbreaking) CG work Lucas wanted to use for the prequels. And, as initially advertised, it was like "seeing them again for the first time!" Initially, they were praised, until it was realized they would forever 'replace' the originals. That's the real problem, here. Had Han shot first in one cut, and not in another - and both were easily available, I don't think there'd be as much of a problem. However, despite a limited 2006 DVD release, (which lazily used the Laserdisc masters slightly tweaked) the original cuts have never been officially released again. I'm more indifferent to the change. Going back to the special editions, everything was meant to be heightened, flashy, and 'new.' Altering the context so Han has a closer brush with death makes the Star Wars universe feel even more dangerous and heightens the emotion. But it also changes Han's character - as you said, it's meant to be more of a slow character development across the trilogy. I think both cuts have their historical value and should be easily available. But they're not. Screw Disney.
@@tyshekka I don't see how that is possible. His company, Lucasfilm, owned it, not he, the director. Unless he negotiated to keep the rights to one film when he sold it to Disney... but that's highly unlikely. I'd need to see proof before I'd believe that.
@@TheDylandProductionsI think I heard this a few years ago on Midnight's Edge, where they said that Lucas had shown his version which included all the full scenes with Biggs. They said we won't get to see it complete like that because Disney doesn't own it and doesn't own the original theatrical version either.
Didnt know lucas had a dog called Indiana so thats where the name of indian johnes came from and the line at the end "we named the dog indiana" makes more sense.
Some great things to look up are "Empire of Dreams" and the Indiana Jones "Making Of" documentaries. Originally included in the DVD releases, they're available on TH-cam. Great insight into the making of both trilogies! ;)
Yeah it's pretty cool as well that George Lucas decided to have Chewbacca co-pilot the Falcon, sitting next to Han because when Lucas would cruise, he'd drive around with his dog Indiana in the passenger seat next to him.
Yours is the only accurate and acceptable answer. George Lucas kept endlessly tinkering with the movies decades later changing and adding little scenes. The way it was shown in theatres is the true version of the film.
@@wintercrush554 They were changed when they were being shown on the big screen too. 😅 And, have any of you thought to ask why George makes a change and what it means to him for the story? Of course not. Haha
@@zoetropeguardian Name another director who has so many changes to their original cut of the movie. I'm talking about Star Wars as it was first screened in 1977. It's completely irreverent that it has been shown in movie theatres again after the changes had been done decades later.
@@wintercrush554 Francis Ford Coppola. Many artists have changed their art after release. To name a few others Wong Kar Wai, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stanley Kubrick, Wim Wenders, J.K. Rowling, etc.. It's not exclusive to Star Wars. It was changed when it was being shown in 1977 too. Not just in 1997 and afterwards like many seem to assume. Haha If you want to learn the truth about these things and how common it is check out Rick Worley's essay on here about the Special Editions.
@@zoetropeguardian I knew you were a Worley simp. Worley uses the Tolkein example without knowing a thing about Tolkein. Tolkein made specific edits to make continuity more seamless between The Hobbit and LotR. He did not change character beats, add in horrible CG, and make continuity worse. Your mind is that small that your only defence is "Lucas said it's so, so it's okay" What a narrow-minded pov.
If someone at Disney had any brains - and heart - they would have released a shirt with Greedo's face and the line "I never got a fair shot" placed under it. Still welcome to do it, Disney.
It’s confusing, but this is what I’ve gathered so far: In the first showing of the movie way back in the day (according to the comments people are posting) originally Greedo never shot, only Han shot in self defense since Greedo had his pistol drawn and was threatening Han’s life. Then based on what Lucas said in this video clip is that later on Lucas changed the scene to show Greedo shooting first to make Han look more like a good guy who doesn’t shoot first, but Lucas also mentions that he originally meant for Han to shoot first and only changed it later to make him look like a good guy. So in both the original movie and Lucas’s original intentions, Han shot first, but the visual effects were later edited to show Greedo shooting first to make Han look like a good guy. I’m going with the original intention and screen showing and saying that Han shot first.
Lucas is horribly wishy-washy about his work. Han shot first because Han was a serious smuggler who knew the consequences of his actions. He was never intended to be a 'good guy' but the character who ultimately figures out that the universe doesn't revolve around him.
Here's what would have worked, if he wanted it to. Greedo challenged Han, so Han was ready. Greedo could have begun to draw, and then Han could draw faster, and fire, before Greedo could fire. Then Han wouldn't be in the position of having to "dodge" a point blank range shot. I think seeing that would have satisfied George, and it would have satisfied the audiences, and prevented the debate. Audiences who say Han shot first, or Greedo didn't fire... We're not saying we wanted Han to be a cold blooded killer. We're saying that Greedo just told Han that he was going to shoot Han, and Han would be stupid, not heroic, to wait for Greedo to fire off a shot first.
Yep that's a good suggestion and in line with what George Lucas said here - "who _drew_ first. Well that was clearly Greedo, who _shot_ first - clearly Han
Cold blooded killer? Greedo had a gun in his face telling him he wasn't even going to bother taking him in for the bounty but instead just take the money he owed Jabba, plus he threw in a snide remark about taking his ship and then a confirmation that this was going to all happen over han's dead body....... BANG! Cold blooded killer.... gimme a break!
@@timefilm You just proved his point as if you're watching Star Wars as silent films, like he often describes them, then you're not hearing any of that dialogue. Haha
Around 1985, my family got a Beta VCR. Star Wars was one of the earliest movies we rented, and was only the second time we had seen it. The first was on TV the previous year. Han shot first. There was no argument. Sometime after, my sister and I were talking about how badass Han Solo was that he killed Greedo before he could shoot Han. And he didn't care at all. Han was awesome.
The timing of when Han shot really doesn't alter his morality - if he shoots at all, it makes him a killer. I mean, being a smuggler is not exactly a well respected profession, so it's obvious in order to survive he has to be smart, or he'd pretty quickly end up dead himself. Han knew he had to shoot before Greedo could get off a shot because, well, with a blaster pointing at you from just across the table, the alien ain't going to miss. Basically Han killed a killer, so in a way you could say it that Greedo got what he deserved, and prevents him from killing anyone else - maybe even someone innocent. Hooray for Han!
1:40 “It’s important for the audience to understand how much thought goes into these issues” Fast forward, Disney putting out series after series of hollow stories with apparently no deep thought at all?
I love how everyone in the comments seem to understand the movie better than the guy who made it. That's the reason he sold them in the first place and that's why all of you deserve Disney.
Realistically there was never a question Han acted in self defense. Han would die if he waited to be shot first at point blank range. Lucas could be thinking of film style or children's perceptions but he believes as a storyteller that the bad guy has to shoot first.
@@TREPIIID Actually, no. I knew it long before I watched his essays as George has long been my favourite filmmaker. I am fascinated by his creative process and all of his stories. Including the ones nobody seem to know anything about. You sure like making assumptions about me and George. Haha
@@zoetropeguardian What assumptions did I make of Lucas? Literally none, lmao. The most I said was that he was overly ambitious with the prequels and given he hadn't written a film in over a decade burdened him with 3 films where he couldn't condense everything he wanted to achieve. You are free to disagree with this, but like I'm assuming your takes are formed by a video essayist, you're assuming I'm claiming I am the arbiter of Star Wars which I am not.
@@TREPIIID You can attempt to gaslight me all you want but it's not going to work. If you were being honest with yourself you'd say how you assumed my thoughts are informed by Rick Worley. It's more so informed by my years of watching and exploring George's creative process in books, interviews, documentaries, and the films themselves. There's a couple of times I've disagreed with Rick but for the most part I find he's spot on in his assessments in knowing George's meanings. George is my favourite filmmaker. Why wouldn't I try understanding and learning from him? Don't be so quick to assume.
"Yes, I bet you have!" With a gun already drawn & pointed, under his own leg no less, we get a... [BANG]. Only Han fired. Even as a child I never had an issue with it, & throughout the first film you can see why. Han's out for #1 'til the very end when he shows up to save the kid he just invited to his own little ship gang. By then we've figured out he's found a new friend, a possible sweetheart & a cause. We don't get to see Chewbacca weigh in at all, but the story goes that he helped convince Han to turn around & help. Would it have been better to see that conversation or was it best to see Han Solo swoop in defying the odds surprising two of the most powerful Force-users in the galaxy knocking one of the out of a fight so well it almost killed him? Or do we go for a break in the action & watch as Han dissembles the information from Chewie, almost all of which would be out loud (so we can hear what Chewie is saying) killing the massive surprise the trench-running duo & the audience get at the end? Nahhhh.... no need to add that, & there was no need to prove that Han was not a cold-blooded killer because up 'til then he was & had to be. Besides, chicks dig a bad-boy. It's exactly HOW she chose Han & not Luke.
Oh & if anyone wants very clean versions of the films that stick to the original elements like this brawl, go 'grab' the 'Despecialized Editions.' (They ask that you already own the bluray version of the movie, which makes sense.) No 'Jedi rock' scene, no unnecessary victory shots at the end of RotJ. I seem to have two versions of that one though where Boba Fett is flipped/fixed & one where he's not. All as clean as the team can possibly make it, way better than the company who owns them has done.
No George we didn’t think he was a cold blooded killer, we just thought he was a step ahead of the guy who ACTUALLY HAD A GUN POINTED AT HIM AND WAS ABOUT TO SHOOT HIM!
In my eyes I never saw Han as a killer. Let's ignore the Solo movie and focus of Ep IV. He's always talking about money. Money which he'll use to payback Jabba. He just wanted to pay him back so he could move on with his life whatever he was going to do. Obviously, he got swept up in the rebellion and end up staying longer than he'd like. He helps the Rebels against the Empire since he's a threat to them, but either way he was going to split as seen in ESB. Having Greedo shoot first works way better for Han in the long run than him shooting Greedo in cold blood.
I mean not really. More so he was a drug dealer who was on the wrong side of the tracks but over the course of his journey finds a cause worth believing in when joins the Rebel Alliance. He also finds a family.
@@zoetropeguardian well no, Han Solo was really just a rip off from the archetype man with no man from the westerns in the 60's. He wasn't a drug dealer per se but a smuggler, but ironically Harrison Ford was a drug dealer, he used to sell weed to some celebs back in the late 60s and early 70s
@@purefoldnz3070 Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree somewhat. Right though, he was a smuggler. Likewise others. There's some other western stars that greatly inspired his character. Like Gary Cooper and John Wayne. Films are too many to list. For years it was also speculated Han was an alter ego for Francis Ford Coppola but that's since been debunked. Haha, I remember hearing that. I bet he has some great stories. I do hope one day he'll share but understandably he's a private person.
🔔 So Lucas' VERY ill-considered & entirely unneeded, unwanted and idiotic 'fix' had Greedo, an experienced gunman, MISSING SOLO FROM POINT BLANK RANGE! 🤦
@@TREPIIID You also see Han walk off like it's no big deal. If you're watching that moment without any dialogue the motivation isn't entirely clear pre-change. And I'm afraid not. I wish. 🥲
This is somewhat disappointing from George. Han definitely shot first (originally). There was no confusion at all. It was blatantly changed from Han to Greedo. While this makes Han a scoundrel, it's not like Greedo wasn't a threat. Han is far from a cold-blooded killer. WTF George. But this is ultimately what Han's character arc was. Han, like Luke, is about change/growth. George is right in that, no, Leia would not want to marry a scoundrel. Han's entire arc over the whole trilogy is really about proving he is a good man and so worthy of Leia, a princess
To be honest I don't think even George understands his own creation. Han wasn't bad or good at the time he was grey. Greedo was threatening him, there was obviously some history there, Han took action. Like when Indiana Jones shoots the sword twirling guy because he hasn't got time for it. When we first meet Han and for most of ESB as well he's a kind of GET OUT OF MY WAY kind of person who also has a good heart. Being trapped in Carbonite changes him. In the end I guess it's how you see it.
@@philipgilbert3772 Or he just has a different vision of these things than the fans do. Why must it be George whose the problem? 😊 He's also made it clear a few times Star Wars is never grey and how it is meant to be seen like a silent film where the visuals/music tell the story. So, I can definitely understand why he felt changing things felt like the best way to make these ideas more clear.
@@zoetropeguardian I'm glad someone said it. It feels so ridiculous to me when fans have such an ego that they imply they understand Star Wars better than George. The way I understood it he meant to do a classic western duel moment. The only problem was it was a very close space. He probably wanted them to fire at the same time but he couldn't really get to make that shot to make it clear and he didn't have the tools back then to fix it in post. At least, that's my theory.
I see your point, but I think it's more accurate to say George can't see it from the fans' perspective because he's the creator. Doesn't mean he doesn't understand it, quite the contrary. But he might not understand the aspects of it that resonate with fans, hence the controversy over his changes of it. Personally I feel like he should never have made any changes, because the original was already out in the world. What he saw as flaws had already been seen and enjoyed by tons of people. Once your art is released to the world, it really isn't entirely yours anymore.
@@zoetropeguardian Almost as if a way of demonstrating this was him shooting first to save his skin without hesitation... Not dodging a blast with a bad crop effect and then shooting in retaliation. Shockingly poor media literacy from you.
Yeah but George Lucas has talked about how the films are meant to work as silent films in a way. He wants for people to be able to watch it without the sound on or in a different language and still be understandable to all. Using tricks from silent films as an important tool as well as an homage. And yet despite Greedo’s verbal threats and visual threat of literally pointing a gun at him people got the impression that Han was some cold blooded killer turned good when in actuality he was closer to a selfish guy way down on his luck running away from consequences that were always chasing him turned into someone who stands up for others no matter how bad the situation is and confronts his long forgotten consequences in the end of The Empire Strikes Back. The point of the change is to make more apparent what was the original vision. The only complaint I have about them is that it’s hard to see that Greedo fires at Han because the laser bolts are only on for like a couple frames.
@@BeezeeChutter I agree with your point about people misinterpreting Han’s character and Lucas trying to remedy that. The problem is that the effect is SO bad (Greedo missing a shot from literally across the table) that it detracts not only from the question of Han’s character, but really breaks the fourth wall in how awkward the scene becomes. Star Wars was groundbreaking because of its effects. This was such a badly implemented effect, I remember the audience moaning in the theater, myself included. In the end, it’s George’s baby, and it is what it is.
Ahh George's revisionist history at his finest. He seems to forget that the original print of Star Wars is still available from various sources. You can go an look your self if you want to know the real answer but to save everyone some time. Han did not shoot "first" He just shot. In the original print Greedo didn't get a shot off. Han just shot him under the table. Han was not a nice guy in the first film This makes his decision to come back and help Luke later in the film such a fantastic moment because its showing his character growth. Why did he change it? Most people think it was because his ex wife who edited both Star Wars and empire came up with the idea rather than him, so he changed it back to the way he wanted it when he release the special edition.
No, because Anakin only killed Tusken Raiders who were cruel and bloodthirsty monsters who kidnapped and killed a little old lady, his mother, for no good reason. It is only when Anakin, now Vader, kills normal and innocent children that Padmé becomes disgusted with him and leaves him.
Between that and the severed arm covered in blood or the burnt skeletal corpses of Owen and Beru, I'm sure the rating wasn't decided by who shot first.
Even now, people still waffling on about pointless things. For a lot of these debates, they wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Lucas meddling with his own films and changing things which didn’t need changing. He was completely out of ideas, ran out of creativity, with obviously too much time on his hands so he messed with the already excellent trilogy. Now he spends his time simply discussing pointless things such as the Han/Greedo encounter - which he changed in the first place! Bit silly really.
@@richardcarter8185 my phone did. still, point stands. to say that he ran out of ideas when the prequel trilogy alone extended the mythology of the saga more than ever, is hilarious.
@@Slask7 you are hilarious. You are insinuating that Lucas came up with all the content of the prequel trilogy himself. It was a huge creative team behind the prequels and his input was only part of it. In the last 30 years or so he has become more of a merchandiser than a filmaker. My point still stands too; still w*nking on 20+ years later about who shot first in the ANH hope scene is tedious and pointless because again, as I have already mentioned, has only become a 'thing' since Lucas tinkered with the scene in the first place - so now he gets to talk about it over and over again. Lets just agree to disagree.
George Lucas' six original Star Wars movies are the true masterpieces that built the legend of the Star Wars world, a magnificent, wonderful and timeless work, an indivisible whole in six wonderful parts that form the Skywalker saga, six amazing movies that shaped the lore, built the mythology, the iconic characters of the Star Wars galaxy, the Skywalker story and expanded the open world building and expanded universe of the Star Wars world, and Star Wars I-VI will never be beaten.
George. It is painfully obvious that Greedo drew first; he had Han at gunpoint for the entire conversation! Changing the scene was unnecessary. I understand that you wanted to soften it for children, but in so doing, you detract from Han's character.
The morons that continue this question it’s getting tiresome ,just go back and watch the very first closet’s original release version and u will see clearly, SO PLEASE STOP with this continuous questioning of who shot first.
Lucas lies about everything. He’s never had a plan, writes terrible dialogue and made ridiculous changes to his own lore. I have the theatrical version on vhs. Han fired first.
George Lucas' six original Star Wars movies are the true masterpieces that built the legend of the Star Wars world, a magnificent, wonderful and timeless work, an indivisible whole in six wonderful parts that form the Skywalker saga, six amazing movies that shaped the lore, built the mythology, the iconic characters of the Star Wars galaxy, the Skywalker story and expanded the open world building and expanded universe of the Star Wars world, and Star Wars I-VI will never be beaten.
Han shot first, not in cold blood, but in self defence. Greedo was about to shoot and Han got the jump on him.
Yes the very point that Lucas seems to entirely miss about his very own work is that it had nothing to do with shooting Greedo in cold blood it was to do with the fact Greedo was about to murder him himself so what else would a character do in that situation? Ask for a duel so it was a fair fight?
Yes, his lame excuses suggest that Lucas is full of the soft brown smelly stuff! 💩
@@Jeremy-f3sHe's not misunderstanding, that's exactly the interpretation he has. All the special editions did was make that dynamic more clear, especially on a visual level, that Greedo was about to shoot Han.
Only Han shot.
Han was always shooting in self-defense. There has never been a version where Han shot Greedo in "cold blood" that only existed in the minds of some individuals who didn't understand the movie. Lucas just wanted to make it clearer since the films should also work without dialogue and only through visuals.
1. Han Solo was not a good guy. He becomes one eventually. A character going through an arc and becoming better - is a good thing for the story.
2. Greedo pointed the gun at him first, then openly threatened him verbally. Han shot in self defense. This is hardly "shooting somebody in the back".
I think Lucas's intent was this - Greedo had the gun on Han the whole time. Han slimily pulled his gun under the cover of the table and shot Greedo in self defense.
In the 1970s the anti-hero was in. Many liked the image of Han being slimy. So they saw it as more ruthless than Lucas intended.
When he did the special editions, he decided to alter the scene to make it more clear that Han, despite doing it covertly, was only shooting in self defense. It's sort of a reaction to decades of fans 'misinterpreting' it.
Should the changes have ever been made at all? IDK. In 1997, the special editions served as a good live test for some of the extensive (and groundbreaking) CG work Lucas wanted to use for the prequels. And, as initially advertised, it was like "seeing them again for the first time!" Initially, they were praised, until it was realized they would forever 'replace' the originals. That's the real problem, here.
Had Han shot first in one cut, and not in another - and both were easily available, I don't think there'd be as much of a problem. However, despite a limited 2006 DVD release, (which lazily used the Laserdisc masters slightly tweaked) the original cuts have never been officially released again.
I'm more indifferent to the change. Going back to the special editions, everything was meant to be heightened, flashy, and 'new.' Altering the context so Han has a closer brush with death makes the Star Wars universe feel even more dangerous and heightens the emotion. But it also changes Han's character - as you said, it's meant to be more of a slow character development across the trilogy. I think both cuts have their historical value and should be easily available. But they're not. Screw Disney.
You're right that Han didn't shoot Greedo in the back. He very clearly shot Greedo in the stomach from under the table.
@@TheDylandProductionsit's my understanding that GL owns the original version himself.
@@tyshekka I don't see how that is possible. His company, Lucasfilm, owned it, not he, the director. Unless he negotiated to keep the rights to one film when he sold it to Disney... but that's highly unlikely.
I'd need to see proof before I'd believe that.
@@TheDylandProductionsI think I heard this a few years ago on Midnight's Edge, where they said that Lucas had shown his version which included all the full scenes with Biggs. They said we won't get to see it complete like that because Disney doesn't own it and doesn't own the original theatrical version either.
Greedo was a cold blooded killer, Han was a cold blooded self defenser.
Didnt know lucas had a dog called Indiana so thats where the name of indian johnes came from and the line at the end "we named the dog indiana" makes more sense.
Some great things to look up are "Empire of Dreams" and the Indiana Jones "Making Of" documentaries. Originally included in the DVD releases, they're available on TH-cam. Great insight into the making of both trilogies! ;)
Yeah it's pretty cool as well that George Lucas decided to have Chewbacca co-pilot the Falcon, sitting next to Han because when Lucas would cruise, he'd drive around with his dog Indiana in the passenger seat next to him.
Self-defense has never been "cold-blooded" killing.
I feel like George is the only person that really even cared that Han shot Greedo. It wasn't a problem then, and it isn't one now.
The correct statement would be "Han shot". Greedo didn't shoot at all.
Yours is the only accurate and acceptable answer. George Lucas kept endlessly tinkering with the movies decades later changing and adding little scenes. The way it was shown in theatres is the true version of the film.
@@wintercrush554 They were changed when they were being shown on the big screen too. 😅 And, have any of you thought to ask why George makes a change and what it means to him for the story? Of course not. Haha
@@zoetropeguardian Name another director who has so many changes to their original cut of the movie. I'm talking about Star Wars as it was first screened in 1977. It's completely irreverent that it has been shown in movie theatres again after the changes had been done decades later.
@@wintercrush554 Francis Ford Coppola. Many artists have changed their art after release. To name a few others Wong Kar Wai, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stanley Kubrick, Wim Wenders, J.K. Rowling, etc.. It's not exclusive to Star Wars.
It was changed when it was being shown in 1977 too. Not just in 1997 and afterwards like many seem to assume. Haha
If you want to learn the truth about these things and how common it is check out Rick Worley's essay on here about the Special Editions.
@@zoetropeguardian I knew you were a Worley simp. Worley uses the Tolkein example without knowing a thing about Tolkein. Tolkein made specific edits to make continuity more seamless between The Hobbit and LotR. He did not change character beats, add in horrible CG, and make continuity worse.
Your mind is that small that your only defence is "Lucas said it's so, so it's okay"
What a narrow-minded pov.
I appreciate how he addressed this seemingly trivial question and made it important after all.
Wow he says "Han" like Lando
When the Studios and interested parties begin to beg George Lucas.................justice again.
If someone at Disney had any brains - and heart - they would have released a shirt with Greedo's face and the line
"I never got a fair shot"
placed under it.
Still welcome to do it, Disney.
It wasn’t a gun duel, it was a gun solo.
It was self-defence!
It’s confusing, but this is what I’ve gathered so far: In the first showing of the movie way back in the day (according to the comments people are posting) originally Greedo never shot, only Han shot in self defense since Greedo had his pistol drawn and was threatening Han’s life. Then based on what Lucas said in this video clip is that later on Lucas changed the scene to show Greedo shooting first to make Han look more like a good guy who doesn’t shoot first, but Lucas also mentions that he originally meant for Han to shoot first and only changed it later to make him look like a good guy. So in both the original movie and Lucas’s original intentions, Han shot first, but the visual effects were later edited to show Greedo shooting first to make Han look like a good guy. I’m going with the original intention and screen showing and saying that Han shot first.
Lucas is horribly wishy-washy about his work. Han shot first because Han was a serious smuggler who knew the consequences of his actions. He was never intended to be a 'good guy' but the character who ultimately figures out that the universe doesn't revolve around him.
Here's what would have worked, if he wanted it to.
Greedo challenged Han, so Han was ready.
Greedo could have begun to draw, and then Han could draw faster, and fire, before Greedo could fire. Then Han wouldn't be in the position of having to "dodge" a point blank range shot.
I think seeing that would have satisfied George, and it would have satisfied the audiences, and prevented the debate.
Audiences who say Han shot first, or Greedo didn't fire...
We're not saying we wanted Han to be a cold blooded killer.
We're saying that Greedo just told Han that he was going to shoot Han, and Han would be stupid, not heroic, to wait for Greedo to fire off a shot first.
Yep that's a good suggestion and in line with what George Lucas said here - "who _drew_ first. Well that was clearly Greedo, who _shot_ first - clearly Han
What a wonderful response!
George Lucas = G.O.A.T., but as a 1st Generation Star Wars fan we saw Han Solo shoot first.
Full conversation, where?
Cold blooded killer? Greedo had a gun in his face telling him he wasn't even going to bother taking him in for the bounty but instead just take the money he owed Jabba, plus he threw in a snide remark about taking his ship and then a confirmation that this was going to all happen over han's dead body....... BANG!
Cold blooded killer.... gimme a break!
@@timefilm You just proved his point as if you're watching Star Wars as silent films, like he often describes them, then you're not hearing any of that dialogue. Haha
Except for that "dialogue" was all in subtitles that Greedo spoke.
@@zoetropeguardian cold blooded is someone who kills indiscriminately and often has no real reason.
@@SeriousRyno Not if you know Huttese or the real life African language Greedo is speaking. Haha
@@timefilm That's pretty much what Han did.
Around 1985, my family got a Beta VCR. Star Wars was one of the earliest movies we rented, and was only the second time we had seen it. The first was on TV the previous year. Han shot first. There was no argument. Sometime after, my sister and I were talking about how badass Han Solo was that he killed Greedo before he could shoot Han. And he didn't care at all. Han was awesome.
The timing of when Han shot really doesn't alter his morality - if he shoots at all, it makes him a killer. I mean, being a smuggler is not exactly a well respected profession, so it's obvious in order to survive he has to be smart, or he'd pretty quickly end up dead himself. Han knew he had to shoot before Greedo could get off a shot because, well, with a blaster pointing at you from just across the table, the alien ain't going to miss. Basically Han killed a killer, so in a way you could say it that Greedo got what he deserved, and prevents him from killing anyone else - maybe even someone innocent. Hooray for Han!
No, Han Shot FIRST!! Self defense. Just drawing doesn’t mean you are going to shoot.
1:40 “It’s important for the audience to understand how much thought goes into these issues”
Fast forward, Disney putting out series after series of hollow stories with apparently no deep thought at all?
I love how everyone in the comments seem to understand the movie better than the guy who made it. That's the reason he sold them in the first place and that's why all of you deserve Disney.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Realistically there was never a question Han acted in self defense. Han would die if he waited to be shot first at point blank range. Lucas could be thinking of film style or children's perceptions but he believes as a storyteller that the bad guy has to shoot first.
@@MagicAl5F4781 Star Wars is meant to be seen as a silent film. The change makes it much more clear the motivations.
@@zoetropeguardian "Star Wars is meant to be seen as a silent film, which is why the film has dialogue"
Did Daddy Worley give you that low IQ insight?
@@TREPIIID
Actually, no. I knew it long before I watched his essays as George has long been my favourite filmmaker. I am fascinated by his creative process and all of his stories. Including the ones nobody seem to know anything about. You sure like making assumptions about me and George. Haha
@@zoetropeguardian What assumptions did I make of Lucas? Literally none, lmao. The most I said was that he was overly ambitious with the prequels and given he hadn't written a film in over a decade burdened him with 3 films where he couldn't condense everything he wanted to achieve. You are free to disagree with this, but like I'm assuming your takes are formed by a video essayist, you're assuming I'm claiming I am the arbiter of Star Wars which I am not.
@@TREPIIID
You can attempt to gaslight me all you want but it's not going to work. If you were being honest with yourself you'd say how you assumed my thoughts are informed by Rick Worley. It's more so informed by my years of watching and exploring George's creative process in books, interviews, documentaries, and the films themselves. There's a couple of times I've disagreed with Rick but for the most part I find he's spot on in his assessments in knowing George's meanings. George is my favourite filmmaker. Why wouldn't I try understanding and learning from him? Don't be so quick to assume.
"Yes, I bet you have!" With a gun already drawn & pointed, under his own leg no less, we get a... [BANG].
Only Han fired. Even as a child I never had an issue with it, & throughout the first film you can see why. Han's out for #1 'til the very end when he shows up to save the kid he just invited to his own little ship gang.
By then we've figured out he's found a new friend, a possible sweetheart & a cause. We don't get to see Chewbacca weigh in at all, but the story goes that he helped convince Han to turn around & help. Would it have been better to see that conversation or was it best to see Han Solo swoop in defying the odds surprising two of the most powerful Force-users in the galaxy knocking one of the out of a fight so well it almost killed him?
Or do we go for a break in the action & watch as Han dissembles the information from Chewie, almost all of which would be out loud (so we can hear what Chewie is saying) killing the massive surprise the trench-running duo & the audience get at the end?
Nahhhh.... no need to add that, & there was no need to prove that Han was not a cold-blooded killer because up 'til then he was & had to be. Besides, chicks dig a bad-boy. It's exactly HOW she chose Han & not Luke.
Oh & if anyone wants very clean versions of the films that stick to the original elements like this brawl, go 'grab' the 'Despecialized Editions.' (They ask that you already own the bluray version of the movie, which makes sense.) No 'Jedi rock' scene, no unnecessary victory shots at the end of RotJ. I seem to have two versions of that one though where Boba Fett is flipped/fixed & one where he's not.
All as clean as the team can possibly make it, way better than the company who owns them has done.
More Studio Presidents should have begging bowls on the main line.
No George we didn’t think he was a cold blooded killer, we just thought he was a step ahead of the guy who ACTUALLY HAD A GUN POINTED AT HIM AND WAS ABOUT TO SHOOT HIM!
That thumbnail is amazing. 😆
Wait George admits that Solo shot first? Solo is a survivor and sometimes you have to act first...
Star Wars Stuffs: *Hello There!*
I always thought of the Han & Greedo showdown as a western duel. Han drew faster.
Leia Also said that Han shot a bit early
@@yoooda-tz6zk What? When? She never says that. Haha
Is jar jar a Sith Lord?
George isn’t loosely based on Luke. He IS Luke❤️
Greedo beared down on Solo, first. Han had the right to shoot first.
In my eyes I never saw Han as a killer. Let's ignore the Solo movie and focus of Ep IV. He's always talking about money. Money which he'll use to payback Jabba. He just wanted to pay him back so he could move on with his life whatever he was going to do. Obviously, he got swept up in the rebellion and end up staying longer than he'd like. He helps the Rebels against the Empire since he's a threat to them, but either way he was going to split as seen in ESB. Having Greedo shoot first works way better for Han in the long run than him shooting Greedo in cold blood.
that's Han Solo's arc he starts off as a "cold blooded killer" to becoming a good guy, its not hard to understand
I mean not really. More so he was a drug dealer who was on the wrong side of the tracks but over the course of his journey finds a cause worth believing in when joins the Rebel Alliance. He also finds a family.
@@zoetropeguardian well no, Han Solo was really just a rip off from the archetype man with no man from the westerns in the 60's. He wasn't a drug dealer per se but a smuggler, but ironically Harrison Ford was a drug dealer, he used to sell weed to some celebs back in the late 60s and early 70s
@@purefoldnz3070
Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree somewhat. Right though, he was a smuggler.
Likewise others. There's some other western stars that greatly inspired his character. Like Gary Cooper and John Wayne. Films are too many to list. For years it was also speculated Han was an alter ego for Francis Ford Coppola but that's since been debunked.
Haha, I remember hearing that. I bet he has some great stories. I do hope one day he'll share but understandably he's a private person.
@@zoetropeguardian there was a famous story of a band watching Star Wars and when he saw Harrison on screen famously said "Thats my drug dealer!"
@@purefoldnz3070 Haha, I wonder who the band was. That could be a movie in of itself.
Has Solo didn’t shoot first. Greedo never shot on my copy on VHS and laserdisc. I still have the proof.
There was no debate until Lucas decided to retcon his own work.
Lucas…..Luke, get it? He named him Luke cause it was close to Lucas.
I never even realized this
Kinda like Wesley Crusher is named for Gene WESLEY Roddenberry.
Luke Skywalker
Luke S.
Lucas
George saw himself as Luke.. Makes what Disney did, even worse.
ok Vader is not his father, but more importantly: did he kiss his sister?
Han Shot Only
🔔 So Lucas' VERY ill-considered & entirely unneeded, unwanted and idiotic 'fix' had Greedo, an experienced gunman, MISSING SOLO FROM POINT BLANK RANGE! 🤦
Lucas = Luke S. = Luke Skywalker
But Han wasn’t a cold blooded killer? Didn’t Greedo indicate that he was about to blast Han in the original cut? He had no choice but to shoot first.
@@felipesparks5267 If you're watching Star Wars like a silent film as he intended it isn't clear what Greedo indicates.
@@zoetropeguardian As if Greedo pointing a gun at him isn't clear enough...
Are you 2 years old?
@@TREPIIID
You also see Han walk off like it's no big deal. If you're watching that moment without any dialogue the motivation isn't entirely clear pre-change.
And I'm afraid not. I wish. 🥲
Makes no sense. Greedo walks up with his gun out. Han shooting him is no different than obi-wan cutting 2 guys with a lightsaber cause one has a gun
Who cares lol, it doesn’t matter
it’s an unnecessary change,its obvious Han and Greedo had some past history,it was a preemptive strike,nuff said 🤔
This is somewhat disappointing from George. Han definitely shot first (originally). There was no confusion at all. It was blatantly changed from Han to Greedo. While this makes Han a scoundrel, it's not like Greedo wasn't a threat. Han is far from a cold-blooded killer. WTF George. But this is ultimately what Han's character arc was. Han, like Luke, is about change/growth. George is right in that, no, Leia would not want to marry a scoundrel. Han's entire arc over the whole trilogy is really about proving he is a good man and so worthy of Leia, a princess
To be honest I don't think even George understands his own creation. Han wasn't bad or good at the time he was grey. Greedo was threatening him, there was obviously some history there, Han took action. Like when Indiana Jones shoots the sword twirling guy because he hasn't got time for it. When we first meet Han and for most of ESB as well he's a kind of GET OUT OF MY WAY kind of person who also has a good heart. Being trapped in Carbonite changes him. In the end I guess it's how you see it.
@@philipgilbert3772
Or he just has a different vision of these things than the fans do. Why must it be George whose the problem? 😊
He's also made it clear a few times Star Wars is never grey and how it is meant to be seen like a silent film where the visuals/music tell the story. So, I can definitely understand why he felt changing things felt like the best way to make these ideas more clear.
@@zoetropeguardian I'm glad someone said it. It feels so ridiculous to me when fans have such an ego that they imply they understand Star Wars better than George.
The way I understood it he meant to do a classic western duel moment. The only problem was it was a very close space. He probably wanted them to fire at the same time but he couldn't really get to make that shot to make it clear and he didn't have the tools back then to fix it in post. At least, that's my theory.
And that's why kids George Lucas sold Star Wars. Because of pricks like this.
Read your first sentence again.
I see your point, but I think it's more accurate to say George can't see it from the fans' perspective because he's the creator. Doesn't mean he doesn't understand it, quite the contrary. But he might not understand the aspects of it that resonate with fans, hence the controversy over his changes of it. Personally I feel like he should never have made any changes, because the original was already out in the world. What he saw as flaws had already been seen and enjoyed by tons of people. Once your art is released to the world, it really isn't entirely yours anymore.
Episode 4 Han shot first, Episode 6 Han wouldn't. That's called an arc. Also not to mention that Greedo threatened Han's life
@@Rhys-Lightning Han's arc is one of realising there's a cause greater than himself. It's never about shooting anyone. Haha
@@zoetropeguardian Almost as if a way of demonstrating this was him shooting first to save his skin without hesitation... Not dodging a blast with a bad crop effect and then shooting in retaliation.
Shockingly poor media literacy from you.
@@TREPIIID Haha, thanks for the laugh.
@@zoetropeguardian I'm glad?
The special edition was an unnecessary change in light of the fact Greedo lets Han know he’s about to die. Han didn’t shoot “first”. He shot, period.
Yeah but George Lucas has talked about how the films are meant to work as silent films in a way. He wants for people to be able to watch it without the sound on or in a different language and still be understandable to all. Using tricks from silent films as an important tool as well as an homage.
And yet despite Greedo’s verbal threats and visual threat of literally pointing a gun at him people got the impression that Han was some cold blooded killer turned good when in actuality he was closer to a selfish guy way down on his luck running away from consequences that were always chasing him turned into someone who stands up for others no matter how bad the situation is and confronts his long forgotten consequences in the end of The Empire Strikes Back.
The point of the change is to make more apparent what was the original vision. The only complaint I have about them is that it’s hard to see that Greedo fires at Han because the laser bolts are only on for like a couple frames.
@@BeezeeChutter I agree with your point about people misinterpreting Han’s character and Lucas trying to remedy that. The problem is that the effect is SO bad (Greedo missing a shot from literally across the table) that it detracts not only from the question of Han’s character, but really breaks the fourth wall in how awkward the scene becomes. Star Wars was groundbreaking because of its effects. This was such a badly implemented effect, I remember the audience moaning in the theater, myself included. In the end, it’s George’s baby, and it is what it is.
lol ok George whatever you say
Ahh George's revisionist history at his finest.
He seems to forget that the original print of Star Wars is still available from various sources. You can go an look your self if you want to know the real answer but to save everyone some time.
Han did not shoot "first" He just shot. In the original print Greedo didn't get a shot off. Han just shot him under the table.
Han was not a nice guy in the first film This makes his decision to come back and help Luke later in the film such a fantastic moment because its showing his character growth.
Why did he change it? Most people think it was because his ex wife who edited both Star Wars and empire came up with the idea rather than him, so he changed it back to the way he wanted it when he release the special edition.
George thinks he can dictate our reality and gets mad when we push back because he can be really stupid sometimes. We all know that Han shot first
But Padme could marry a child blooded killer? 🙈
No, because Anakin only killed Tusken Raiders who were cruel and bloodthirsty monsters who kidnapped and killed a little old lady, his mother, for no good reason.
It is only when Anakin, now Vader, kills normal and innocent children that Padmé becomes disgusted with him and leaves him.
Dieso the Hutt
How about the greatest mystery of all, why did you sell to Disney???
What a silly argument, greedo didn’t shoot, or Han Solo would have been at least injured…. Muppets
I think it might’ve had to do something with PG versus PG-13 and George is just lying
Between that and the severed arm covered in blood or the burnt skeletal corpses of Owen and Beru, I'm sure the rating wasn't decided by who shot first.
Also, PG-13 wasn't introduced until 1984. When Star Wars was released in 1977, it was just a choice between PG and R
Even now, people still waffling on about pointless things. For a lot of these debates, they wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Lucas meddling with his own films and changing things which didn’t need changing.
He was completely out of ideas, ran out of creativity, with obviously too much time on his hands so he messed with the already excellent trilogy.
Now he spends his time simply discussing pointless things such as the Han/Greedo encounter - which he changed in the first place! Bit silly really.
the is comment is kinda pointless too
@@Slask7 At least your grammar and punctuation didn’t let you down.
@@richardcarter8185 my phone did.
still, point stands.
to say that he ran out of ideas when the prequel trilogy alone extended the mythology of the saga more than ever, is hilarious.
@@Slask7 you are hilarious. You are insinuating that Lucas came up with all the content of the prequel trilogy himself. It was a huge creative team behind the prequels and his input was only part of it. In the last 30 years or so he has become more of a merchandiser than a filmaker.
My point still stands too; still w*nking on 20+ years later about who shot first in the ANH hope scene is tedious and pointless because again, as I have already mentioned, has only become a 'thing' since Lucas tinkered with the scene in the first place - so now he gets to talk about it over and over again. Lets just agree to disagree.
George Lucas' six original Star Wars movies are the true masterpieces that built the legend of the Star Wars world, a magnificent, wonderful and timeless work, an indivisible whole in six wonderful parts that form the Skywalker saga, six amazing movies that shaped the lore, built the mythology, the iconic characters of the Star Wars galaxy, the Skywalker story and expanded the open world building and expanded universe of the Star Wars world, and Star Wars I-VI will never be beaten.
George. It is painfully obvious that Greedo drew first; he had Han at gunpoint for the entire conversation! Changing the scene was unnecessary. I understand that you wanted to soften it for children, but in so doing, you detract from Han's character.
it didn’t do that for children…
The morons that continue this question it’s getting tiresome ,just go back and watch the very first closet’s original release version and u will see clearly, SO PLEASE STOP with this continuous questioning of who shot first.
No idea where to see that version. Who shoots first in it?
@@themysticalcolby find it give something to do
Lucas lies about everything. He’s never had a plan, writes terrible dialogue and made ridiculous changes to his own lore. I have the theatrical version on vhs. Han fired first.
Total nonsense.
George Lucas' six original Star Wars movies are the true masterpieces that built the legend of the Star Wars world, a magnificent, wonderful and timeless work, an indivisible whole in six wonderful parts that form the Skywalker saga, six amazing movies that shaped the lore, built the mythology, the iconic characters of the Star Wars galaxy, the Skywalker story and expanded the open world building and expanded universe of the Star Wars world, and Star Wars I-VI will never be beaten.
I JUST WANT THE ORIGINAL FUCKING MOVIE IN HD!!! 1977 ORIGINAL VERSION, AND I DON’T THINK THAT’S TOO MUCH TO ASK!
'Despecialized Editions'