By Ryan Rigley
Seems like J. J. Abrams may not be the only one making the transition over from "Star Trek" to "Star Wars." "Ooooh, wouldn't that be fun," commented Leonard Nimoy on whether he'd consider playing a role in the new "Star Wars" trilogy. "I would love to. I think it would work wonderfully. I think it would work just great. I think it would be a great idea, and somebody ought to tell him that."
If Nimoy, who's most famous for his portrayal of Spock on the original "Star Trek" series, made the leap over to a galaxy far, far away, it's fairly safe to say that both "Star Wars" fans and Trekkies would be absolutely ecstatic. But not as ecstatic, perhaps, as if J. J. Abrams were to include memorable minor characters from the original "Star Wars" trilogy into "Star Wars VII." Take Greedo for instance, the Rodian bounty hunter that Han Solo shoots dead in "A New Hope."
Who?
Born the son of esteemed bounty hunter Greedo the Elder, Greedo is raised on Tatooine in the spaceport Mos Espa alongside a young Anakin Skywalker. Often times letting his temper get the better of him, the young Rodian quickly becomes known for his hot-headed nature and violent ways. These qualities, as well as his father's notoriety, eventually land Greedo a job as bounty hunter on Jabba the Hutt's payroll.
Bumbling his way through the Clone War era, it becomes quite evident that Greedo lacks any of the prowess of his namesake. Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, Greedo is sent to intercept the smuggler Han Solo in the Mos Eisley Cantina and retrieve the money owed to Jabba. However, the meeting quickly goes south and Greedo is shot dead in self defense. Yes, that's right. Greedo shot first. (Editor note: Han shot first.)
Why?
Since the original release of "A New Hope," back in 1977, Greedo has become somewhat of an ongoing joke within the fan community. After all, his nervous incompetence and misplaced over-confidence make him the easiest target in the galaxy. Greedo is also, perhaps, one of the most memorable minor characters in the first "Star Wars" movie. In fact, he's so memorable that a young Greedo also makes an appearance in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," in which he's seen arguing with Anakin over his victory at the Boonta Eve Classic.
How?
In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Greedo's body is left with the bartender of the Mos Eisley Cantina, Wuher, who proceeds to grind up the Rodian's remains into a powerful, new type of liquor. After this process is over and done with, the only remaining part of Greedo is his head, which Wuher has impaled on a spike on a count of his hatred for the failed bounty hunter.
Alternatively, if Greedo's liquor or impaled head don't make it into "Star Wars VII," we could absolutely see him popping up in the "Young Han Solo" spinoff film. It'd be quite interesting to see the growing rivalry between Solo and Greedo up on the silver screen, which, as we all know, culminates in Greedo's unavoidable death.
