This post contains minor spoilers for Solo
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Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jon Kasdan reveals one of the film’s more controversial moments was an integral part of his pitch to Disney. Well before Solo was stirring up conversation with its underwhelming box office returns, there was some uproar when Bob Iger revealed the film would detail how Han got his name. Some thought that was in reference to a young Han establishing himself as one of the galaxy’s most infamous smugglers, but as it turns out, Solo answers that question in a very literal sense. In the beginning as Han signs up for the Empire and tells his recruiting officer he has no people, he’s registered as Han Solo.
Viewers are split on this reveal. While some don’t mind it, others found it to be an eye-rolling explanation and wondered why Solo simply couldn’t be Han’s surname from the jump. Typically, if a scene is in a movie, it means it serves some sort of greater purpose. In Kasdan’s mind, the naming sequence was vital to Han’s character – so much so that he used it as a lynchpin of a presentation to Disney’s higher-ups.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Kasdan explained why he felt this scene was so important, giving the outlet a look into his pitch:
Five years ago, when I came onto the thing — and Disney wasn’t on when I came on, then three weeks later, they owned the company — and they came up to…
