20 Things You Didn't Know About Star Wars: The Force Awakens

19. Harrison Ford Was Paid $25 Million For His Role

Star Wars The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Finn Rey.jpg
Lucasfilm

Much has been written about Harrison Ford's apparent lack of enthusiasm for Star Wars, and that a primary condition of him returning as Han Solo was that the character would finally be killed off - something he lobbied for in the original trilogy.

But clearly the primary incentive was the absolutely gargantuan payday Ford received for the role.

Ford was paid a stonking $25 million to reprise Han in The Force Awakens, effectively serving as a golden parachute of sorts for the actor - a thank you for returning and helping pass the torch to a new generation of heroes.

Ford's salary on the film is quite the contrast to his comparatively meagre payment of just $10,000 for A New Hope.

Ford did of course return one more time as a memory witnessed by his son Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in The Rise of Skywalker, though presumably without the pressure of being an active part of a major franchise, it was easier to say yes to a single-scene role.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.