J.J. Abrams Chimes in on Pivotal ‘Force Awakens’ Scene

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 Brad Repka

(((There are big spoilers here if you are one of the two people on the planet who haven’t seen Star Wars The Force Awakens)))

Star Wars The Force Awakens solidified its place on Star Wars lore last year, but fans are still debating about some of the events that transpired. Not everyone was thrilled with the film, but the overall reaction to the film was relatively positive. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to one of the main characters along the way. J.J. Abrams has finally gone on record to discuss the film’s most shocking scene.

Star Wars The Force Awakens, Disney — Rey and Kylo Ren showdown in ‘Star Wars The Force Awakens’. Image: Disney

(((The is your last chance to not read spoilers)))

During Star Wars The Force Awakens, fan favorite Han Solo meets his maker at the hands of his son, Ben Solo. In his defense, the young Jedi-traitor was being manipulated by the dark side of The Force, and more directly by Supreme Leader Snoke. Ben Solo uses Han Solo’s heart against him, making him believe that his father could bring him back from the dark, or did he? Was Ben Solo actually being pulled back to the light, when his dark side killed his father, or was it all a big ruse? This has been an active debate among fans since the film hit theaters last December.

In a new commentary on The Force Awakens 3D Blu-ray Collector’s Edition, Abrams says that Kylo Ren was sincere at the beginning of the scene:

“People have asked me if I think Kylo Ren is just playing with [Han Solo] this whole time – whether he meant to kill him from the beginning. The truth is that I think Kylo Ren in this moment is actually being convinced to walk away from this,” Abrams confesses. “Snoke is – as Han says – using him. I think somewhere Ben knows this, but I think that he can’t accept this. Deep down, he has gone too far.”

Abrams goes on to talk about how fans knew something bad was about to happen because of the Star Wars-bridge theory:

“Obviously, anytime in Star Wars when two characters go out on an incredibly thin bridge ten miles above the ground with no railings, it’s not going to end well for one of them.”

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Abrams said that Episode VII was the “evolution of not just a hero, but a villain…who was in process.”

Of course, this isn’t the first time Abrams has talked about the intensely shocking scene. The director told Entertainment Weekly the death was necessary. It makes Episode VII about the “evolution of not just a hero, but a villain…who was in process.”

“Star Wars had the greatest villain in cinema history. So, how you bring a new villain into that world is a very tricky thing. We knew we needed to do something f—king bold. The only reason why Kylo Ren has any hope of being a worthy successor is because we lose one of the most beloved characters.”

So, how did Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford, react to the way that his played out on the big screen?

“Harrison’s always said that he knew that Han needed to have clear utility, and that’s what he wanted to do…In this case there was such a clear utility. It’s about bringing this new villain to the fore, and there’s nothing I could think of that is more hideous than patricide. Especially when it comes to Han Solo.”