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In the initial draft ofThe Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo’s response to Leia’s“I love you”was an awkward“Just remember that, ’cause I’ll be back”. Upon filming the line, director Irvin Kershner realized there was something wrong with the Solo’s response, as it undermined the suspense about whether he’d survive the carbonate chamber or not.
This prompted them to test various alternatives but it was the“I Know“, suggested by Harrison Ford, which clicked with both Kershner and later the fans. However, George Lucas was initially against this change, and it wasn’t until a test screening that Lucas would eventually give in.
George Lucas Feared Han Solo’s“I Know”Would Get a Bad Laugh From Fans
Harrison Ford‘s two-word response to Carrie Fisher’s“I Love You”inThe Empire Strikes Backperfectly sums up the rebellious nature of his character, and remains an iconic moment from the film. However, whenGeorge Lucaswas initially notified about this change from the original script, theStar Warscreator thought it would garner a bad laugh from the audience.
“I never heard from him”: Even Years After Their Affair, Carrie Fisher Did Not Want to Embarrass Harrison Ford by Exposing His Secrets
But after some convincing, Lucas decided to hold two test screenings for the film, with one involving the“I know”response. While the first screening did garner a laugh from fans, it was because the dialogue perfectly encapsulated the witty nature of the character.
He told theLA Times:
It was such a contest between George and I about whether that was appropriate or whether the audience would enjoy that line or not, to the point where he made me go to a test screening to sit next to him to prove it was going to get a bad laugh. And it didn’t. It got a good laugh. So it stayed in.
Moreover, the moment came full circle inReturn of the Jedi, as this time around, it’s Fisher’s Princess Leia, who replies“I know”to Solo’s“I love you”.
Harrison Ford Explained Why He Doesn’t Have a FavoriteStar WarsFilm
When it comes to the fans’ favoriteStar Warsflick, the answers can range from the original trilogy’sThe Empire Strikes Backto even the prequels’Revenge of the Sith. But when Harrison Ford was asked about his favorite in the franchise, theRaiders of the Lost Arkstarclarifiedthat he doesn’t have a favorite. To him, each entry is like a brick, which adds together to tell the whole story.
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.
This isn’t the first time Ford’s suggestion improved a film. InRaiders of the Lost Ark, the actor pushed the idea of the iconicgun vs sword sceneinstead of engaging in a traditional fight.
“This is how we are going to make Batman”: Harrison Ford’s $39 Million Box Office Flop Heavily Inspired Christopher Nolan’s Batman Movie
The Empire Strikes Backis available to stream on Disney Plus.
Santanu Roy
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2539
Santanu Roy is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on movies, with over 2,000 articles under his belt. He has been pursuing a degree in Animation and possesses a deep love for the medium of animation. Having spent the better part of the last two years pumping out articles for FW, Santanu excels at covering movie analysis and news surrounding Pixar, DCU, DreamWorks, and Batman’s cinematic legacy.With psychological thrillers and intimate slice-of-life dramas ranking among his favorite genres, Santanu is a big admirer of Luca Guadagnino, Shane Black, Park Chan-wook, and Brad Bird.
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Carrie FisherGeorge LucasHarrison Ford
