CanonSourcedReign of the Empire, 19–1 BBY

Han meets Chewbacca

10 BBYExact dateLast checked: 23 October 2026

Warning: this entry reveals minor plot details.

For attempting to desert, Han is thrown into a pit with the “beast,” which turns out to be Chewbacca, a Wookiee enslaved by the Empire. Speaking Shyriiwook, Han convinces the Wookiee to team up, and together they bring down a support of the grate and climb out. Beckett's gang picks up the fugitives, and together they leave Mimban aboard a stolen hauler.

Description

Han Solo's attempt to join Tobias Beckett's crew on Mimban was judged by the command to be desertion. Instead of a court-martial, he was sentenced to be fed to the “beast” kept by the unit — as the soldiers called a prisoner thrown into a pit and driven to a feral state. The “beast” turned out to be the Wookiee Chewbacca, captured by the Empire and held in captivity. In the pit Solo, who remembered a little Wookiee from his earlier wanderings, spoke to him in his language and, instead of fighting, proposed that they escape together, staging a fight for the soldiers watching from above. The ruse worked: they got out, taking advantage of the Wookiee's strength and the confusion, and left the planet together with Beckett's people. Thus began a partnership that would last many years. Chewbacca, freed from Imperial captivity, stayed at Solo's side, and together the two went through the jobs that followed — from the raid on Vandor to the mines of Kessel. Their alliance, which began in a prison pit, became one of the most enduring bonds in the later history of the Galactic Civil War.

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Participants

  • ChewbaccaCharacter
  • Galactic EmpireFaction
  • Han SoloCharacter
  • Rio DurantCharacter
  • Tobias BeckettCharacter
  • ValCharacter

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Locations

  • Mimban

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Works

  • Solo: A Star Wars StoryFilmСобытие показано в этом произведении.

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Causes

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Consequences

  • Conveyex heist on Vandor10 BBYThis event contributed to itHaving broken free together, Han and Chewbacca joined a gang that was preparing a heist on a conveyex.

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Meanwhile

No parallel events confirmed yet.

Editorial note: no information is given for this section.

Other connections

  • Chewbacca's life debt to Han Soloc. 5 BBYAn alternate version of this eventTwo versions of how Han Solo met Chewbacca and earned his life debt. In Legends (around 5 BBY), Han is an officer in the Imperial Navy: he stands up for an enslaved Wookiee, for which he is court-martialed and discharged from the service, and the rescued Chewbacca declares a life debt to him. In canon (10 BBY), Private Han is thrown into a pit with the enslaved Chewbacca for attempting to desert; they escape together, and the life debt arises from the escape. The date, Han's rank, the place, and the circumstances differ: the rescue of a slave versus a joint escape.

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Causes on the left, the current event in the centre, consequences on the right.
  • Han's Imperial Army service on Mimban → Han meets ChewbaccaHan's Imperial Army service on MimbanA cause of this event. For attempting to desert from the service, Han was thrown into a pit, where he met the Wookiee.
  • Han meets Chewbacca → Conveyex heist on VandorConveyex heist on VandorThis event contributed to it. Having broken free together, Han and Chewbacca joined a gang that was preparing a heist on a conveyex.

Sources

  • For attempting to desert, Han is thrown into a pit with a “beast,” which turns out to be Chewbacca, a Wookiee enslaved by the Empire. Speaking Shyriiwook, Han convinces

    Primary work · Solo: A Star Wars Story · Checked: 23 October 2026

Source: Solo: A Star Wars Story