Easter Eggs in Solo: A Star Wars Story

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PC: The Hollywood Reporter

Solo: A Star Wars Story has been out for 1 week now, so it’s time to get more in depth with this film after many have been given the opportunity to see the film.

 

SPOILER WARNING FOR SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

 

 

 

Still here? All right, let’s look at all the Easter eggs I noticed in this film (not necessarily in order).

Bossk:

     The Trandoshan bounty hunter Bossk was first seen in Empire Strikes Back, standing on the bridge of Vader’s Star Destroyer with Boba Fett, Dengar, IG-88, and other infamous hunters. In this film, he is mentioned by Val and Beckett, members of the gang of criminals that Han and Chewbacca become associated with early on in the film. Val was hoping to recruit Bossk in exchange of Han.

Han shot first:

     In the original cut of A New Hope, your favorite smuggler shot Greedo first in the cantina on Tatooine. In the more common Special Edition of the original trilogy, Greedo actually fires first. George Lucas didn’t want Han to be seen as a killer. In Solo: A Star Wars Story, in a final confrontation with a character, Han is actually the one to shoot first, ending the confrontation before it could go any further. I don’t feel that any of this makes Solo a cold-blooded killer, rather a survivor (which is a theme of the film already).

Crystal Skull and Fertility Idol:

     Harrison Ford not only plays the character Han Solo, but he also plays Indiana Jones, another recognizable pop culture character. In one of the Indiana Jones films, the quest is to recover a crystal skull. Well, it just so happens that in the chambers of Crimson Dawn leader Dryden Vos, there is a crystal skull on display, with a model of the Fertility Idol directly below it on the same table. A fun hint for any Indy fans, for sure! (We also saw a crystal skull appear on The Clone Wars TV show.)

Sith Holocron:

     A pyramid-shaped object is also on display in Dryden’s fancy chambers. This object really resembles that of the Sith holocrons we have seen before, which leads fans to wonder…  Personally, if it is truly a holocron, I’m surprised Dryden is even allowed to “keep” it. I would think that his supervisor would take it for himself…

Old Republic Mandolorian Armor:

     Also in the chambers of Dryden Vos, fans can notice a full suit of Mandalorian Armor on display. The visual guide for this film does mention that the armor is from the time of the Old Republic, which means we could see more exploration of that time period soon.

Pyke Syndicate:

     The Pykes run the brutal spice mines on the planet Kessel, and were first seen on The Clone Wars TV show. Not only were they mentioned, but we got a clear look at one member of the criminal organization. Seeing them go from animated design to the cinematic screen was awesome to see!

Viper Droids:

     We see the same type of Viper Probe Droid used by the Empire in search of hidden rebel bases. One of these droids finds Echo Base on the planet Hoth, where it encounters Han Solo and Chewbacca. Now, we see these droids ironically chasing after Han on Vandor-1.

Thermal Detonator Scene:

     In the beginning of the movie, we see Han threatening Lady Proxima (a crime organization leader) with a thermal detonator (though it’s actually a rock). It might have been unintentional, but to me it mirrors the scene where Leia does the same thing in Jabba’s Palace (though it actually IS a detonator in her case).

Jabba’s Job:

     The movie’s ending sends Han and Chewie on their way to Tatooine to meet a big crime lord who’s putting together a big job. We can only assume that this is the job that goes horrible wrong for Han directly before the events of Episode IV.

Cloud City Cape:

     In another particular scene, Qi’ra wanders into Land’s “cape closet.” While in there, she tries on one of the capes, which turns out to be the same cape that Lando wears when he later meets Han in Cloud City (just before he betrays them to the Empire).

Scarif:

     The tropical planet that we see in Rogue One has a mention in this film. As the main band of criminals in this film that Han associates himself with are looking for a place to refine the coaxium, Scarif is suggested as a possible location, though it’s far too fortified.

NO C-3PO or R2-D2 Appearance:

     This is the first Star Wars film to not feature R2-D2 or C-3PO. However, Anthony Daniels played a revolting slave in the spice mines on Kessel.

VCX-100:

     When playing sabacc with Lando Calrissian, Han bets “his ship,” which he lists to be a VCx-100. That number is the exact same ship design as The Ghost, the iconic ship from Star Wars Rebels.

Lando’s Tatooine Disguise:

     When the crew aboard the Millennium Falcon arrives on Kessel, Tobias Beckett puts on a rather familiar disguise. The outfit is the same that he wears in order to go undercover into Jabba the Hutt’s criminal organization on Tatooine in order to save Han Solo.

Glee Anselm and Felucia:

     A planet named on The Clone Wars, Glee Anselm is the home of characters like Jedi Master Kit Fisto. Mentioned in Solo: A Star Wars Story, this is the place where Tobias Beckett claims he wishes to “retire” after one final job. Felucia was also see on the TV show repeatedly, and once on the big screen in Episode III. Felucia is a place where Beckett pulled at least one former job.

Imperial Anthem:

     The hear the official Imperial Anthem playing in the spaceport on Corellia. The anthem was previously heard on Star Wars Rebels, and is a modified version of the Imperial March.

Aurra Sing:

     Aurra Sing was a cruel and ruthless bounty hunter. First seen in Episode I, and multiple times on the first television show, it is revealed in this film that Beckett is responsible for Sing’s death. Apparently he pushed her off something, but whatever happened was not described. However, Lando was quite pleased to hear this news from Beckett.

Two-Tubes:

     Edrio and Benthic Two-Tubes were eggmates, and shown in Rogue One as members of Saw Gerrera’s rebels. One of them can be seen in this new film, though people aren’t entirely sure which one is present. Personally, I think it’s Benthic.

Dryden Vos:

     Dryden Vos, the face of Crimson Dawn, is actually a near-human species. The facial markings we see actually change color tones slightly as his mood alters.

Academy on Carida:

     When Han “enlists” in the Empire, he wishes to become a pilot. He is originally sent to the Imperial academy on Carida, which is the same location where he served in the Legends content for the Han Solo character.

Cloud Riders:

     Enfys Nest runs a group of marauders that ride speeder bikes in this film. The Cloud Riders were a group of criminals that also appeared in Legends content. The only difference is that the Canon version seen in this film turn out to be allies instead of criminals.

Teras Kasi:

     Teras Kasi is a unique fighting style that has a history in Legends content. From what we saw of Qi’ra performing the art in the movie, it seems to be sticking close to its Legends counterpart, making those who practice it fast and brutal.

 

THE BIGGEST EASTER EGG OF ALL:

Darth Maul:

     We FINALLY have another cinematic appearance of most fan’s favorite Sith apprentice. After a rich story line on The Clone Wars and Rebels, Maul has returned and is the true leader of Crimson Dawn, a new criminal organization believed to be purely created by Maul. His appearance brings together an amazing combination of the TV shows he appears on, and his cinematic appearance back in 1999. The hologram image we receive of Maul in the latest Star Wars installment features the voice of Sam Witmer, the mechanical legs Maul received after his injuries, and the newly constructed lightsaber he made that we saw on Rebels. I was incredibly happy to see his appearance, though unfortunately it was spoiled for me before I saw the film.

That’s everything I could pick out! Did you find any more that I missed?!

 

 

 

 

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