New 'Han Solo' Photo Confirms Cult-Favorite Comic Characters In Movie

The latest update from the set of the untitled Han Solo movie will make some comic book fans [...]

By Joe Schmidt

The latest update from the set of the untitled Han Solo movie will make some comic book fans happy, confirming the presence of two popular characters from the Dark Horse era.

Director Ron Howard posted a photo on social media, as he is wont to do, featuring screenwriter Jon Kasdan and assistant director Toby Hefferman dressed as Imperial officers. The photo is hashtagged "#tagandbink ?" indicating the two are portraying the slapstick characters from the comic books.

While Howard could have been having fun with fans and teasing at the non-canon characters' inclusion, Kasdan's own response to creator Kevin Rubio indicate they are actually in the new movie.

Tag and Bink's misadventures brought them into contact with some of the most popular and important characters in the saga, but they usually established contradictions to events that would render them humorous stories outside of the canon.

Tag and Bink Are Canon

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(Photo: Dark Horse / Lucasfilm)

Tag and Bink's first appeared in the anthology Star Wars Tales published by Dark Horse Comics, written by Rubio and illustrated by Rick Zombo. The 10-page story features the characters present at the Battle of Carkoon, though they were almost eaten by the Sarlacc. After Boba Fett gets knocked in with them, the trio escapes together.

The story established Tag and Bink as the "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" of the Star Wars universe, and their hi jinx indicated they were present for some pivotal moments in the films.

After the success of the short story, Dark Horse commissioned a Tag and Bink Are Dead two-issue series by Rubio and Lucas Marangon. In the series, the two are part of the Rebellion and are present when Darth Vader and the Imperials commandeer Tantive IV to imprison Princess Leia and secure the Death Star plans.

The two decide they'd rather live than die, and impersonate Stormtroopers to escape. Their adventures eventually lead them to the second Death Star where they watch Luke Skywalker and Vader duel, though they do not escape in time and end up dying in the explosion.

Tag and Bink do become Force Ghosts, however, and watch the victory celebration on Endor along with the Obi-Wan, Yoda, and two versions of Anakin Skywalker.

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Return of the Not-So-Jedi

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(Photo: Dark Horse / Lucasfilm)

The two also received a prequel comic where they were revealed to be former Padawans who couldn't cut it in the Jedi Order.

Tag himself is from Corellia, tying his origin to the same homeworld where Han Solo was born.

Though it is doubtful the characters inclusion in the film universe will suddenly make their comic adventures canon, it just goes to show how the new leaders at Lucasfilm are not only fans of the old canon but are more than willing to include some of their favorite parts.

It remains to be seen if Tag and Bink will have a major role in the film, if their backstory as Rebels will be established, or if this is just a wink and a nod at the cult-classic comics, but the fact that they're in the film at all should get fans excited.

The untitled Han Solo movie is scheduled to open in theaters May 25, 2018.

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