It’s always tempting to wonder what might have been in the world of Hollywood blockbuster film-making. If directors were able to follow their instincts and break all the rules rather than using all the tried, tested and generally predictable techniques of screenwriting to keep the audience on their toes. What if Harrison Ford’s Han Solo hadn’t been killed off in Star Wars: The Force Awakens? The Corellian scoundrel’s demise at the hands of his son certainly raised the stakes and ensured JJ Abrams’ film would not be easily forgotten, but in retrospect might Ford’s gruff presence have grounded later instalments? It may even have made the director think twice before sparking up the narrative blunderbuss that was bringing back Emperor Palpatine from the dead in the abhorrent Rise of Skywalker. After all, Ford used to call George Lucas out on his bad dialogue – it’s tempting to wonder quite what he might have said to Abrams for even considering such ridiculousness.
What if they hadn’t killed Ripley at the end of Aliens 3, replicant Roy Batty in Blade Runner, Dumbledore in Harry Potter or Bambi’s mum? These sagas might all have taken completely different turns, perhaps even turned out to be better stories for not playing the obvious death card, though – let’s face it – probably not. Still, it’s pleasing to hear this week that Peter Jackson fought against killing off one of the four halflings in The Lord of the Rings, despite the best efforts of his producers.
