Could Greedo Have Shot Han Solo First To Change Star Wars’ Original Rating?

The debate whether Han Solo (Harrison Ford) or Greedo shot first in Star Wars: A New Hope has always been hotly contested among Star Wars fans.

In the original version of A New Hope, George Lucas has Greedo and Han sitting together in Tatooine's Cantina. After Greedo tells the smuggler that he intends to kill Han, the scoundrel shoots the Rodian bounty hunter with a gun secretly readied under the table. It's a famous scene that establishes Han as a rogue. When Han decides to help the Rebellion, fans find themselves impressed by the character's decision to turn a new leaf.

However, in 1997, George Lucas introduces the "Special Edition" of A New Hope, featuring an edit where Greedo tries to fire at Han before the smuggler shoots the bounty hunter down. Then in 2004, Greedo fires first, and Han shoots at the same time.

There have been so many edits to the scene that fans have begun to contest which one is actually real. While most fans would rally around Han shooting first, I've Done A Legend claims that Lucas always wanted Greedo to shoot first. According to the site's theory, Lucas felt that having Han shot first would give A New Hope a PG-13 rating. So, before he submitted the Special Edition of the film to the Motion Picture Association of America, Lucas changed the scene so that Greedo would shoot first.

It's an interesting suggestion. However, Star Wars fans might remember that Lucas has spoken extensively about the Han/Greedo debacle, and the Star Wars creator has not once mentioned having the rating changed as a motive.

What do you think could be the reason Lucas changed the Han/Greedo Cantina scene? Do you have any interesting theories of your own? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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