Han Solo, a human male from Corellia, first appeared in the 1977 film Star Wars (later titled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope), portrayed by Harrison Ford. Introduced as a cynical smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon, he operated on the fringes of galactic society, indebted to the crime lord Jabba the Hutt and accompanied by his loyal Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca. His backstory, further explored in the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, reveals an impoverished youth on Corellia, where he worked as a street thief for the White Worms gang before fleeing the planet, briefly serving in the Imperial Academy, and ultimately embracing a life of smuggling after being expelled and forming his lifelong bond with Chewbacca.

In the original trilogy, Han Solo undergoes significant character development from a self-interested rogue to a committed hero of the Rebel Alliance. Initially hired by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker to transport them from Tatooine, he participates in the rescue of Princess Leia and the destruction of the Death Star, gradually embracing the cause despite his professed skepticism toward the Force. By The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, his loyalty deepens through his romantic relationship with Leia, his capture and carbonite freezing by Darth Vader, and his pivotal role in the Battle of Endor, where he aids in destroying the second Death Star and contributes to the Empire's defeat.

In the sequel trilogy, particularly The Force Awakens (2015), an older Han Solo returns to smuggling after personal tragedies, including the fall of his son, Ben Solo, to the dark side as Kylo Ren. His arc culminates in a poignant attempt to redeem his son aboard Starkiller Base, resulting in his death at Kylo Ren's hands—a sacrifice that underscores his enduring growth from opportunist to selfless figure, cementing his legacy as one of the galaxy's most iconic heroes.