The Story Behind Han Solo’s Line ‘I Know’ in The Empire Strikes Back

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It’s among the most memorable dialogue in all of Star Wars, and is often cited as one of the cleverest improvised lines in movie history: Moments before Han Solo is frozen alive in carbonite by Darth Vader, Princess Leia says he loves him. “I know,” he responds. The reply is perfect — and it wasn’t actually improvised at all. Here’s the story behind that exchange from The Empire Strikes Back and the embroidered hand-towel set it inspired.

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Why Han Says ‘I Know’ in The Empire Strikes Back