Han shot first



In Star Wars fandom, the phrase "Han shot first" refers to the changes made to a scene in Star Wars, involving the characters Han Solo and Greedo in the Mos Eisley Cantina. In the original version, Han shoots Greedo under the table while Greedo is pointing a blaster at him. In the Special Edition version, Greedo shoots at Han and misses, without explanation, from point blank range, and then Han shoots him in retaliation. Thus, the phrase "Han shot first" is a retort to George Lucas's implicit assertion that "Greedo shot first." In the original release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, only one shot was fired, and it was fired by Han Solo.

In the 2004 DVD release, the disputed scene was altered again to have Han and Greedo shooting at almost the same time (though Greedo still shoots first), with Greedo still missing from point blank range.

Parody

 * The phrase has been enshrined on T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Han Shot First." Purportedly, the product advertises the wearer's geek credentials and disagreement with Lucas's modification. At least two rock and roll bands are called "Han Shot First". One is based in Guernsey, Channel Islands, and was formed in 2005.  The New York City based band, Han Shot First formed in 2002 and began selling T-shirts with the phrase on them through CafePress.com. Another shirt seller is Scott Kurtz, author of the webcomic PvP. In the PvP strip, Kurtz is shown wearing the T-shirt when he breaks the fourth wall.


 * In the 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, written and directed by Kevin Smith (an unabashed Star Wars fan who often inserts references to the films in his own work), Holden MacNeil tells Jay and Silent Bob that a feature-length film based on their exploits and those of their superhero alter-egos Bluntman and Chronic would be "the worst idea since Greedo shooting first". In Smith's 2006 film Clerks II, a bitter customer remarks that main characters Randal and Dante spend their time over pointless conversations, such as "fighting over who shot first, Han or Greedo."


 * In the bunny reenactment on Angry Alien's website, an outtake shown at the end of the Flash movie has Han shooting first.


 * Following their treatment on the Dick Cheney hunting incident, the creators of the Political/Gaming webcomic Sore Thumbs released a T-shirt - parodying the ones mentioned above, as well as humorously comparing the two controversies - with the inscription "Cheney Shot First". They followed this up in a subsequent strip by portraying a character wearing the shirt. (Link)


 * The public backlash has prompted such sites as originaltrilogy.com, an online petition demanding the "Original Trilogy" in their original pure forms. HanShootsFirst.org proclaims their dislike of the incident. The organization has recently altered their mission charter, proclaiming that Episodes I - III were the "suckiest" films ever to grace the silver screen.


 * In the novel Legacy of The Force - Betrayal there is a scene in which Princess Leia Organa says "Han shot first," referring to a separate event that occurred within that novel, but more than likely a reference to this infamous controversy.


 * In the webcomic Irregular Webcomic, the author, David Morgan-Mar, created at least 3 webcomics concerning this incident, in strips 674, 1261 and 1277.


 * In the webcomic Casey and Andy, the author thanks George Lucas for the improvements made to an earlier comic in strip 387.


 * Webcomic artist Kristofer Straub has released "Lincoln Shot First" T-shirts, referencing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.


 * In the video game Star Wars: Battlefront II, if you are playing as Han and you shoot an enemy, they will sometimes say, "What, Han shot first?"