Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo?

FPAlpha · December 30 2011, 02:40 AM

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?

Trekker4747 · December 30 2011, 02:44 AM

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.

sojourner · December 30 2011, 02:46 AM

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

The Wormhole · December 30 2011, 02:48 AM

Malcolm Reynolds always shoots first. Even in special editions.

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

Trekker4747 · December 30 2011, 02:49 AM

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

The Wormhole · December 30 2011, 02:55 AM

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

Trekker4747 · December 30 2011, 03:04 AM

Hmmm.

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

(A J.J. Abrams leading-0 numbering reference would be good too.

)

Hound of UIster · December 30 2011, 04:41 AM

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

Nerys Myk · December 30 2011, 04:45 AM

Does that make Wash Chewie?

FPAlpha · December 30 2011, 05:00 AM

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

I wonder how Inara would look like in the gold bikini

Trekker4747 · December 30 2011, 05:01 AM

Rather see Kaylee in a gold bikini.

Nerys Myk · December 30 2011, 05:02 AM

I'll be in my bunk.

Mike Farley · December 30 2011, 05:44 AM

FPAlpha wrote:

I wonder how Inara would look like in the gold bikini

Trekker4747 wrote:

Rather see Kaylee in a gold bikini.

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

jbny67 · December 30 2011, 06:02 AM

Both Solo and Reynolds ignore The Last Stand.

Caliburn24 · December 30 2011, 06:16 AM

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.

December 30 2011, 02:40 AM	#1
FPAlpha Rear Admiral Location: Mannheim, Germany	Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? 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? __________________ "A control freak like you with something you can't control? No no.. that's gonna be more fun than shark week!" Det. Javier Esposito

December 30 2011, 02:44 AM	#2
Trekker4747 To boldly go... Location: Kansas City	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? 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.

December 30 2011, 02:46 AM	#3
sojourner Vice Admiral Location: I'm at WKRP	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? ^damn, beat me to the obvious "this is obvious" post. __________________ Baby, you and me were never meant to be, just maybe think of me once in a while...

December 30 2011, 02:48 AM	#4
The Wormhole Admiral	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Malcolm Reynolds always shoots first. Even in special editions. Oh sorry, that joke isn't original either, is it? __________________ "Internet message boards aren't as funny today as they were ten years ago. I've stopped reading new posts." -The Simpsons 20th anniversary special.

December 30 2011, 02:49 AM	#5
Trekker4747 To boldly go... Location: Kansas City	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Eh, it would be if you tossed Chick Norris into it.

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

December 30 2011, 02:55 AM	#6
The Wormhole Admiral	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Malcolm Reynolds is so cool, Chuck Norris calls him The Man. __________________ "Internet message boards aren't as funny today as they were ten years ago. I've stopped reading new posts." -The Simpsons 20th anniversary special.

December 30 2011, 03:04 AM	#7
Trekker4747 To boldly go... Location: Kansas City	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Hmmm. Toss in a MLP:FiM reference and we might be there. (A J.J. Abrams leading-0 numbering reference would be good too. )

December 30 2011, 04:41 AM	#8
Hound of UIster Rear Admiral	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? According to Whedon, Mal is essentially Han if he had never met Ben and Luke at the cantina.

December 30 2011, 04:45 AM	#9
Nerys Myk Admiral Location: House of Kang, now with ridges	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Does that make Wash Chewie? __________________ Nerys Myk's Midnight In Never Land A novel of Dark Fantasy @ Amazon.com

December 30 2011, 05:00 AM	#10
FPAlpha Rear Admiral Location: Mannheim, Germany	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? 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 I wonder how Inara would look like in the gold bikini __________________ "A control freak like you with something you can't control? No no.. that's gonna be more fun than shark week!" Det. Javier Esposito

December 30 2011, 05:01 AM	#11
Trekker4747 To boldly go... Location: Kansas City	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Rather see Kaylee in a gold bikini.

December 30 2011, 05:02 AM	#12
Nerys Myk Admiral Location: House of Kang, now with ridges	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? I'll be in my bunk. __________________ Nerys Myk's Midnight In Never Land A novel of Dark Fantasy @ Amazon.com

December 30 2011, 06:02 AM	#14
jbny67 Commander Location: NY - The Real Gotham	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? Both Solo and Reynolds ignore The Last Stand.

December 30 2011, 06:16 AM	#15
Caliburn24 Commodore Location: Gig Harbor, Washington	Re: Malcolm Reynolds = Han Solo? 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.