Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo?

Discussion in 'Science Fiction & Fantasy' started by FPAlpha, Dec 30, 2011.

  1. FPAlpha

    FPAlpha Vice Admiral Premium Member

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    So i've put in an episode of Firefly ("Shindig" to be exact) and was struck again how much in tone Firefly was when compared to Han Solo and his pre-Star Wars life.

    For me Firefly was always a spritual successor to Han Solo and his adventures because of its similarities. The main characters share many traits.. both Solo and Reynolds are rogues who, at their core, are the most kind and caring people as evident in their protectiveness of their crew yet possess their own moral code which "allows" them to kill bad guys and take on illegal jobs to survive.

    Both are hotheads leaping into action without thinking but through sheer determination, skill and often enough luck always make it through with minor scrapes.

    They both possess old and worn ships of which they are hugely fond of and have tinkered with them (the Millenium Falcon more so than Serenity but that's not the point).

    And both of them would die for their crew and friends and would do anything to keep them safe, they have both the same sense of humor and honor amongst thieves and they are both highly skilled and talented when it comes to the skills of the trade.

    Additionally i see so many similarities between Nathan Fillion and (then) Harrison Ford.. their acting styles are similar and they both convey the playfulness and at times seriousness of their characters so well that i believe should there ever be a Han Solo live series it should be Fillion who plays Solo.

    Your thoughts?
     
  2. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

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    WOW! You are literally the first person to make this connection!

    Provided it's nine years ago.

    It's not?

    Oh.

    Yes, the similarities between Han Solo and Malcolm Reynolds are strong and great and I suspect 95% intentional.
     
  3. sojourner

    sojourner Admiral In Memoriam

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    ^damn, beat me to the obvious "this is obvious" post.
     
  4. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Malcolm Reynolds always shoots first. Even in special editions.

    Oh sorry, that joke isn't original either, is it?
     
  5. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

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    Eh, it would be if you tossed Chick Norris into it.
     
  6. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Malcolm Reynolds is so cool, Chuck Norris calls him The Man.
     
  7. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

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    Hmmm.

    Toss in a MLP:FiM reference and we might be there.

    (A J.J. Abrams leading-0 numbering reference would be good too. ;))
     
  8. Hound of UIster

    Hound of UIster Vice Admiral Admiral

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    According to Whedon, Mal is essentially Han if he had never met Ben and Luke at the cantina.
     
  9. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    Does that make Wash Chewie?
     
  10. FPAlpha

    FPAlpha Vice Admiral Premium Member

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    I think Chewie is more like a composite of Jayne (pure force) and Kaylee (mechanical skills).. and maybe has also Kaylee's cheerful attitude though it's kinda hard showing that to the world when you have fangs, claws and no one can understand you :lol:

    I wonder how Inara would look like in the gold bikini :drool:
     
  11. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

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    Rather see Kaylee in a gold bikini.
     
  12. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    I'll be in my bunk.
     
  13. Mike Farley

    Mike Farley Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I'd have to see 'em both to make a informed decision.
     
  14. jbny67

    jbny67 Captain Captain

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    Both Solo and Reynolds ignore The Last Stand.
     
  15. Caliburn24

    Caliburn24 Commodore Commodore

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    Back when Firefly was first airing I knew who Mal was modeled after as soon as I saw the low-ride, cut-away quick draw holster rig he was wearing.

    Only a strip running down the legs of his pants could have made it any more obvious...and maybe a giant honking satellite dish on the roof of Serenity.
     
  16. Enterprise is Great

    Enterprise is Great Vice Admiral Admiral

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    She looks good naked so probably pretty damn nice... :D
     
  17. sojourner

    sojourner Admiral In Memoriam

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    ^Was that a part of my goram ship?
     
  18. stj

    stj Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Yes, of course.

    But why do people think this was a good thing?

    One of the many writing flaws in Star Wars was the easy way a hardbitten rogue like Han Solo falls in love with a dewy male ingenue and a disdainful princess. The kind of guy who shoots first is going to shoot those absurd relationships in the gut real fast.

    As for Mal Reynolds, one of the most important things about him is that he refuses to quit running. Since we have no idea whether he has a home or family, or how they were lost if he doesn't, or, worst of all, whether he lost anything he really wanted in the first place, we don't actually know anything about the man. And since we don't know anything about the Alliance, the war or the Independents, we don't know anything about his politics. It is self delusion to think we know anything about this character.
     
  19. Saul

    Saul Vice Admiral Admiral

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    You mean that Firefly, the idea of a western in space isn't as original and genius as fans claim it to be???!

    Shock.
     
  20. sojourner

    sojourner Admiral In Memoriam

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    ^Even the fans know Malcom is a riff on Solo.