A meteor explodes over Russia. An asteroid nearly misses Earth. Now THIS! 

Word has just leaked that Harrison Ford will be returning to the Star Wars franchise to reprise his role as Han Solo! The Star Wars movies are what led me to choose a career in TV and film, so I feel I have to weigh in on this (possibly) exciting news. 

Han Solo has been my favourite movie character OF ALL TIME for the past 20 years or so. Part of me wanted to BE him and the other part of me wanted to MARRY him. (Does that mean I want to marry myself? Weird…)

It is my undying love for Han and Ford, however, that has me questioning the news of his return to the franchise. Is this the right move? How valid are the rumours? Should we take this news with a grain of intergalactic salt? I did some digging, checked the source, and although I won’t fully believe it until I hear the words come from the actor’s adorably crooked mouth, it does look like he’s returning as Han!

Although there’s no word yet on how big the role will be, or which of the upcoming films he’ll be back for, the deal Ford has reportedly signed is being called “significant.”  

Before I comment on whether or not this is good news or bad, let’s review some of the recent rumours circulating the Star Wars galaxy:  

1. Back in November, Ford expressed an “interest” in reprising his role as the beloved space scoundrel. 

2. In January, J.J. Abrams finally confessed to being the director on the first film in the new trilogy. 

3. In February, Disney confirmed a number of spin-offs focusing on some of the “alternate characters” in the Star Wars universe. 

Although Solo wouldn’t be considered an “alternate” character, there is a chance he could show up in some form as part of the story. 

There has also been speculation that one of the upcoming films will feature Han, Leia, and their children. This sounds plausible to me. Ford is getting up there in years, so if he returns, they’ll have to take into account the fact that he’s aged. And although I loved him in the latest Indiana Jones—despite how garbage that movie was—it proved that although he can still pull off the sarcastic one-liners, seeing him in action these days just isn’t the same. And that’s ok.

As long as Disney and Abrams understand the limitations of the character now, I would be THRILLED to see Ford come back as Han. I just hope the filmmakers won’t ignore the fact that he has aged. It would be ridiculous to CG him into action scenes or try to make him look younger by using makeup and special effects. Fact is: dude is old now. Let him be old.

Going too much the other way is no good either. PLEASE don’t EMPHASIZE his age and insert a bunch of “I’m too old for this…” jokes. Don’t have him go on and on about various ailments and complain about how things “used to be.” It would be SO CLICHÉ that I don’t think I could stand it.

In fact, if Han is to return for the next Star Wars, it should end with his death. Yep, I said it. Kill him. Have him go out in a blaze of glory and don’t drag it on and on until his character becomes the next Jar Jar.  Please don’t turn him into a parody for us to despise and ridicule.

I’m sure Ford would agree. As most of us Star Wars fans know, he was actually rooting for Han to die at the end of Empire. Give him the chance, 30 years later, to participate in a glorious demise of his trigger-happy alter ego.