Wednesday, November 10, 2021

It Made Absolutely No Sense for Han and Leia's Son to be Named Ben


Originally Posted 5/4/20


Star Wars: The Force Awakens' costume rules at theaters - Business ...

The 7th episode in the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens, introduced villainous Force-wielder Kylo Ren. Ren was eventually revealed to be none other than the only descendant of intergalactic smuggler Han Solo and rebel leader Princess Leia. Having been given the name Ben Solo, he changed it after leading a revolt against his uncle and jedi master, Luke Skywalker. As every Star Wars fan knows, before going on to becoming a legendary hero, Luke himself was initially introduced to the ways of the Force by Republic-era jedi Ben Kenobi -- except that "Ben" was nothing but alias. His real name was Obi Wan Kenobi -- which is the name by which Leia knew him. Though the Alderaanian princess never actually met Kenobi, she did seem to revere him so it's certainly not a stretch to think that she'd give her offspring his name. But again -- she knew him as Obi Wan. Granted, Han did know the "old wizard" as Ben but he didn't even like him so there's virtually no chance that he'd want his son to be the namesake of someone he considered to be little more than an "old fossil" and a pain in the ass.

In the Star Wars saga told in books published prior to Lucasfilm's acquisition by Disney, then known as the Expanded Universe, a member of the Skywalker bloodline was indeed named Ben. But this Ben -- Ben Skywalker -- was Luke's son, not Han's and Leia's. This made perfect sense, as Luke only knew Kenobi by his alias. And Luke was mentored by Ben Kenobi both in life and death.

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