Han shot first

To say "Han shot first" is to refer, often with distaste, to George Lucas's changes to the original Star Wars motion picture trilogy. Conversely, one might speak of the producer of Star Wars (or any fictional material) "going into 'Greedo shoots first' territory", i.e. producing an inferior revision of the work by diluting or distorting elements that were vital to the character of the original.

The phrase "Han shot first" refers specifically to 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, although the phrase "Han shot first" might appear to refer to a sequence of several shots, the first of which is fired by Han, it is in fact a retort to 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. However if one looks at the scene in slow motion, it appears as though Han actually dodges the shot before returning fire.

Lucas explains that the change was made because he felt that Han Solo would never shoot another in "cold blood." Many fans find this comment puzzling, since it seems common sense that a person who has a gun pointed at them with threat to kill is justified in acting in self-defense. Also, the change is out of line with the other changes in the special edition in that the other changes were made because Lucas lacked the technical or financial capabilities. When originally filming the scene, Lucas could easily have had Greedo shoot first if that's what he had wanted at the time. This indicates that Lucas apparently merely changed his mind about Han's character.

Besides this confusion, the principal objection from critics seems to be that the change dilutes and compromises Han's rebellious and ruthless nature. The change is felt to detract from Han's "anti-heroic" qualities, and also diminishes the character's growth and development over the story from a rogue smuggler who cares only about himself (and his co-pilot Chewbacca) into a committed member of the Rebel Alliance.

A secondary objection considers the improbability that the character Greedo would miss at that range if he fired deliberately. Thus, his gun must have discharged accidentally - a rather bathetic death for such a threatening character.

Thirdly, it is argued that the scene change also represented a noticeable drop on cinematic technique. The original version is framed tightly, almost claustrophobically, cutting between close-up shots of Han and Greedo as they exchange hostile quips, heightening the tension of the showdown. When Han fires, it happens suddenly and loudly, but without visual explanation until Greedo falls forward dead. In the altered scene, a different perspective was used: a middle-distance shot in which both characters are visible simultaneously. Combined with the noticeable gap between the two shots, and the new emphasis on the bright and colorful computer-generated laser blasts, the scene becomes much more turgid. The original scene also alluded to the dramatic showdown scenes from Western movies in which a gunshot is heard, but the outcome is not known until the antagonist falls to the ground.

Finally, the change is seen by some fans as being symptomatic of an overall "dumbing down" of the series, as Lucas made the prequel trilogy. Additional examples include the removal of several frames from scenes of Imperial Officers being shot, to censor the "flames" of their clothing exploding from being shot in the chest by blasters (one officer's take was missed in editing and the flames on his uniform can still be seen), the inclusion of a slapstick Jar Jar Binks in the prequels as well as shifting the explanation of The Force away from a mystical unifying force of the galaxy and towards something that can be detected by a simple blood test.

This retroactive sanitizing loosely mirrors a similar 2002 DVD version of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, in which the firearms held by police officers in the original 1982 film were digitally altered to walkie-talkies.

Although fan criticism of these changes is generally considered to be a legitimate point of view, the incident also provided early inspiration (and ongoing ammunition) for those who engage in verbal attacks on George Lucas, a practice known as Lucas bashing.

Parody and use in Popular Culture

 * 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 NYC-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 (which Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back in fact is) would be "the worst idea since Greedo shooting first".


 * 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 said 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 Leia 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 May 2006, Lucasfilm announced that the original trilogy would be released on DVD later in the year, (starwars.com), allowing fans to finally acquire "Han shooting first" on DVD. The release has now been confirmed as September 12th. Unfortunately, the original trilogy is being treated as a "bonus feature" and bundled with the Special Editions. Also, Lucasfilm has confirmed they will be Non-Anamorphic, with Stereo sound. This release will use the 1993 Definitive Edition Laser Disc master, rather than a restoration of the original films. Lucasfilm is also releasing a commemorative T-shirt line. The first will feature comical Han Solo, gun drawn, above the phrase "Han Shot First." More information can be found at (starwars.com store)