10 Iconic Movie Moments With Unexpected Origins

9. Han Gets Frozen - The Empire Strikes Back

The Scene

The unforgettable cliffhanger at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, where Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is frozen in carbonite by Darth Vader (David Prowse).

How It Happened

In earlier drafts of the movie, Han was actually supposed to escape on the Millennium Falcon with Chewie (Peter Mayhew) rather than get caught by Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) and Vader.

But a logistical oversight caused plans to change, as only Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher had actually been signed to appear in three movies, while Harrison Ford was contracted for just two.

Ford, who famously wasn't much fussed about the Han Solo role to begin with, made no guarantees to return for a third movie, and so George Lucas opted to have the character literally put on ice to ensure he wouldn't get caught short.

If Ford didn't return, Han would stay frozen, and if he did, he'd be thawed out in the third movie. Simple.

Ford did of course end up reprising the role for Return of the Jedi, so it all worked out. Plus, the uncertainty gave us one of the series' best-ever scenes - the "I love you" / "I know" moment between Han and Leia (Fisher).