Cool Filmz: Did Obi Wan Use the Jedi Mind Trick on Han Solo in A New Hope?

Rewatching the Star Wars saga can be a revelation. When you revisit these classics, especially in something like machete order, you start noticing details that flew past you the first (or tenth) time. And during my most recent A New Hope rewatch, one scene in particular left me hitting pause and rewinding. That scene? The cantina negotiation between Obi Wan Kenobi and Han Solo.

Call me crazy, but I’m convinced Obi Wan Jedi mind-tricked Han Solo during their little Millennium Falcon fee conversation. You know the one—the "2,000 now, 15,000 when we reach Alderaan" deal that, for some reason, Han jumps at like it's the steal of the century. But is it? Or could it be… mind control? Stick with me, and I’ll break this down, because if you ask me, Obi Wan isn’t as straight-laced as he seems.

Obi Wan’s Track Record of Deception

Before we even get to the cantina scene, let's discuss Obi Wan's questionable honesty. Sure, he's presented as a wise, noble, and somewhat eccentric mentor figure, but can we really trust him? Remember this is the same guy who looked Luke dead in the eyes and said, “I don’t seem to remember ever owning a droid.” Um, excuse me, sir? Does R2-D2 ring any bells? Because we all saw the Prequels, and you absolutely went on galaxy-saving adventures with that trusty astromech.

Now, defenders of Obi Wan will argue he was lying to protect Luke, or to keep the truth about Anakin hidden. Okay, fair point. But the fact remains—Obi Wan has no problem bending the truth when it suits him. At best, he’s cagey. At worst, he’s manipulative. This isn’t Old Ben the Hermit. This is Old Ben the Conman.

With this established, are we really supposed to believe he'd play fair and square with Han Solo, a guy he literally met five minutes ago while trying to orchestrate an escape?

The Cantina Scene—Mind Trick in Action?

Now, back to Mos Eisley Cantina. It’s here that Obi Wan and Luke are desperate to get off Tatooine—and fast. They meet Han Solo, the charming yet notoriously money-driven smuggler, and negotiate a price to hitch a ride on the Falcon to Alderaan.

The deal boils down to this: 2,000 credits up front, with a promise of 15,000 more upon arrival. On paper, this is an awful deal for Han. I mean, who in their right mind trusts total strangers to cough up over seven times the amount they paid as a deposit? Han might act like a scoundrel, but he’s a survivor, a cynic, and someone known for being cautious with deals. Do we really buy the idea that he'd enthusiastically accept this lopsided arrangement without some sort of external influence?

Here’s where I started getting suspicious. Watch carefully when Obi Wan speaks to Han. His mannerisms are subtle—too subtle. The slight movements of his hand under the table, the calm persuasion dripping from his voice. Doesn't it feel a little too smooth, even for the galaxy’s most seasoned Jedi? What if he’s nudging Han’s famously skeptical mind with the Force, bypassing his internal alarms and planting the idea that this suicidal smuggling job is a good idea?

And think about it—why wouldn’t Obi Wan use the Jedi mind trick in this situation? The stakes are high; the Empire is literally after them. The Jedi code might frown on manipulation (you know, the whole "peace and justice" thing), but when has Obi Wan ever been one to play strictly by the rules? Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Han Solo’s Out-of-Character Reaction

Another thing—Han's reaction doesn’t seem like Han Solo. This is a guy who spends most of the trilogy side-eyeing everything. He’s cautious, suspicious, and motivated by credits above all else (until Leia shows up, but we’re not there yet). Yet here, he suddenly agrees to a deal that’s filled with risks and a vague promise of a payout? Either Han was dreaming of dollar signs, or he got hit by a little Jedi persuasion action.

If there was even one moment where Han hesitates or seems unsure, I might buy this deal as legit. But no, he’s oddly confident and ready to roll, like a guy who just got handed the best lottery ticket of his life. Sorry, but that’s a red flag.

The Jedi Ethics Problem

If Obi Wan did, in fact, mind-trick Han Solo, this raises some...interesting philosophical questions about the Jedi. On the surface, they’re portrayed as protectors of peace and justice. But dig deeper, and you start to see cracks in their ivory tower. Case in point—using the Force to bend someone's will without their consent. It’s morally iffy, to say the least.

And isn’t this kind of manipulation exactly the sort of behavior that led to the Jedi’s downfall? The Clone Wars, the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire—these weren’t just accidents. They were the result of an order that had grown arrogant and self-righteous, more focused on wielding power than maintaining balance. Obi Wan mind-tricking Han (if that’s what happened) might seem harmless, but it speaks to a larger problem with the Jedi mindset.

The Big “What If”

Of course, there’s another explanation—that George Lucas didn’t really think this scene through in 1977. The story demanded that Han agree to the deal, so he did. No mind tricks, no ulterior motives. Just storytelling convenience.

But where’s the fun in that? The beauty of Star Wars is how it invites these kinds of debates. Obi Wan, with his sly grin and morally gray tendencies, leaves the door wide open for speculation. Was he just a persuasive negotiator? Or was there something more...Forceful at play?

Final Thoughts

Whether or not Obi Wan Jedi mind-tricked Han Solo in A New Hope is ultimately up to interpretation. Personally, I find the idea fascinating—not just because it makes Obi Wan sneakier than we thought, but because it adds an extra layer of complexity to the Jedi as a whole. They aren’t perfect paragons of virtue. They’re flawed, pragmatic, and sometimes willing to blur ethical lines to achieve their goals.

And hey, as fans, isn’t it fun to poke holes and explore these possibilities? Next time you pop in A New Hope, keep a close eye on that cantina scene, and maybe you’ll see what I saw. Or maybe you’ll think I’ve been mind-tricked by too much caffeine.

Either way—Han shot first. But that’s another story.