WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Solo: A Star Wars Story, in theaters now.


When Lucasfilm re-released the original Star Wars trilogy in the mid-90s, many small changes were made to the movies in order to bring them even closer to what George Lucas had originally envisioned. Small visual tweaks were made, adding in computer-generated alien creatures, and new special effects were used during the space battle sequences. Certain little continuity mistakes were corrected as well, like the addition of Jabba the Hutt in A New Hope, or the shock wave of the destruction of the Death Star.

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Most of these changes didn’t really affect the story, but there was one big change involving Han Solo that didn’t sit right with fans at all. In the original version of the film, when Greedo interrupts Han at the Mos Eisley Cantina, Han kills the green alien before he can get the drop on him. However, in the Special Edition of the movie, a laser shot was added in, fired from Greedo’s blaster, making him the first shooter in the altercation.

Han Solo Greedo

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This modification didn’t sit right with Han Solo fans, and remains a major point of contention to this day. The phrase “Han shot first” quickly entered the pop culture lexicon, along with the argument that changing the character-defining scene takes away part of what makes Han, well, Han. Han Solo was no longer a ruthless smuggler who didn't hesitate to kill an enemy in the middle of a bar. Suddenly, he was changed into someone who acted in self-defense -- and that is not the Han Solo fans the world over fell in love with.

After years of fans calling for George Lucas to change the scene back, to make it official canon that Han had indeed shot first, Solo: A Star Wars Story sets the record straight, once and for all -- and you might be pleased with what it has to say on the matter.

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In the spinoff film, Han Solo evolves from Corellian street rebel to hardened thief and smuggler. After he escapes from his home planet, Han has no choice but sign up with the Empire, and spend the next three years fighting for them as a soldier. But on a particularly horrific mission, Han meets Tobias Beckett, a character who becomes a friend, mentor and perhaps even a father figure to the young pilot. Beckett, in turn, introduces Han to the galactic life of a criminal, one filled with thieving, smuggling and double-crossing, and he gives him lessons in survival along the way. The most important lesson of them all? Never trust anyone, and assume that they are always out for themselves first.

In fact, this lesson proves instrumental to the plot of the film, and to the character of Han Solo himself. When we first meet him in A New Hope, Han is detached form everyone and everything except money and Chewbacca, but this isn't exactly the character we meet in Solo. Well, not yet. In the film, Han learns to predict people, and he plans accordingly. He even planned for Beckett's betrayal near the end of the film. There, surrounded by sand, the two men face each other. Beckett reiterates the cardinal rule of criminals and, before he can teach his final lesson, Han shoots him in the chest, before Beckett had a chance to draw his weapon. But while it’s something he doesn’t hesitate to do, it's still something that he doesn’t take lightly.

Tobias Beckett confronting Hal Solo for the last time in Solo: A Star Wars story

This moment is obviously intended to represent the birth of the ruthless Han Solo we met in the original version of A New Hope, and it cements the idea that, yes, Han always shot first. The scene in Solo is once again character-defining, and it corrects the biggest mistake made in the Special Edition of the Star Wars trilogy. It confirms that the original cantina scene of A New Hope is the definitive, canonical version of the Star Wars universe.

Now fans can stop arguing. They can stop wondering. Now we know the truth. Han shot first. Han always shoots first.

Directed by Ron Howard from a script by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca. They’re joined by Thandie Newton as Val, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37, Paul Bettany as Dryden Vos and Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett. The film opens Friday nationwide.

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