Summary
- Harrison Ford has embraced his Star Wars role, setting an example for fans to follow.
- Nostalgia can heal the divisiveness in the fandom, especially if you see the films as part of a bigger story.
- Ford doesn’t have a favorite film and provides important insight as to why you shouldn’t either.
Harrison Ford is finally embracing his iconic role as Han Solo, and reminding fans worldwide that if you love Star Wars, it isn’t necessary to pick a favorite movie.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Oscar-nominated actor took a rare conciliatory tone with his views on George Lucas’ space opera. When asked specifically if he has a favorite film in the series, Ford said he doesn’t feel the need to single out a particular film. He prefers to enjoy Star Wars films as a whole, rather than pick a favorite:
“I don’t really have a favorite. It’s just brick on a brick to build the story. It’s not about the party. It’s about what you’re celebrating.”
A Divided Fandom Creates Negativity
Ford’s comments stand in stark contrast to fans who seem to enjoy arguing about Star Wars more than actually watching it. Social media is ground zero for the conflict, as fans debate online which film is the best. Fans usually end up attacking each other, often taking sides between the Lucas Era and the Disney Era.
While toxic behavior exists in multiple fandoms, in the Star Wars universe, combative fans take the conflict to another level by attacking or defending particular films. Original Trilogy fans bicker with Prequel Trilogy fans, The Force Awakens fans clash with The Last Jedi fans, and everyone hates The Rise of Skywalker fans. At one point or another, everyone is accused of not being a “true fan.”
The negativity among fans gives Harrison Ford’s comments even more relevance. In the past, the actor has had an antagonistic relationship with Star Wars, as he seemed to resent how the films and the character of Han Solo overshadowed the rest of his career. In recent years, however, Ford has come around, and he now celebrates the franchise, setting an example for the rest of the fandom to follow.
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Harrison Ford Now Has a Healthy Perspective on Star Wars
Ford’s attitude towards Star Wars has evolved over time, as he originally was not a fan of the Han Solo character or of Lucas’ style of writing. In the documentary Empire of Dreams (streaming on Disney+), the actor revealed that he lobbied Lucas to kill off Han in Return of the Jedi, claiming that the character had nothing more to offer. While his request was denied, the actor made it clear in the years that followed that he had no interest in revisiting his role.
Even so, Ford remained grateful for his time piloting the Millennium Falcon and acknowledged it changed his life. “My whole life was changed by the opportunities that came to me through the success of Star Wars,” Ford said in Empire of Dreams, pointing out that it led directly to his casting in Lucas’ other iconic franchise, the Indiana Jones film series.
Ford returned to the saga with 2015’s The Force Awakens, and he now seems more comfortable with his Star Wars legacy. In past talk show appearances, Ford would play up his “grumpy old man” persona, often showing annoyance with the Han Solo role. With the passing of Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew (who played Chewbacca), however, Ford seems to have softened his stance on the films, as his recent comments demonstrate, and he’s now embracing it all. He’s appeared in the best films of the saga, but he sees no need for favorites, a mindset fans should take note of.
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The Power of Star Wars Nostalgia
If the words of Harrison Ford cannot convince Star Wars fans to see some of the films in a different light, perhaps time itself can. The films have always endured criticism over the years, going back to the great Ewok backlash of 1983’s Return of the Jedi. Now, however, nostalgia has convinced many fans that even the lesser films aren’t that bad after all.
Angry fans once accused George Lucas of ruining their childhood with the Prequel Trilogy. Those harsh criticisms have softened with time, and even the once-maligned prequels have found some love (and great memes) among their former detractors. Actors Hayden Christensen, Ahmed Best, and Jake Lloyd once took the brunt of criticism for the prequels, but they are now experiencing a new wave of support from fans.
Some fans have had the same realization as Harrison Ford. Star Wars films cannot exist individually; they will always be part of something larger. Revenge of the Sith may be everyone’s favorite film of the Prequel Trilogy, but it needs the other prequels. As Ford pointed out, Star Wars is one big story, and segmenting one film as a favorite while dismissing others never made sense.
That doesn’t mean some criticisms of Star Wars are invalid. Episode I still has logic issues, and the middling political subplot is a distraction at times. More than two decades after its release, however, nostalgia has made the flaws of The Phantom Menace a bit more bearable. Fans now revel in the shared memory of standing in line for the film, and the experience of seeing the podrace scene and lightsaber duel for the first time.
The healing power of nostalgia bodes well for the films of Disney’s Sequel Trilogy, which still stir controversy for many fans. It may take a few more years, but fans may one day look back fondly at the films that seem so divisive now. Harsh opinions may eventually be replaced with the realization that Harrison Ford was right: Star Wars is more than just a single film. It’s an experience to be shared and appreciated.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for Harrison Ford as Han Solo, enjoy this video of his best lines!
