"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is undoubtedly the most hotly anticipated film of 2015.

And while fans are looking forward to see what director J.J. Abrams has cooked up with his brand new cast, they are undoubtedly anxious to experience the return of the classic heroes like Han Solo, Leia and Luke Skywalker.

But that reunion seems likely to be short-lived if one rumor going around is to be believed - Han Solo will die in this film.

In hindsight, it might not actually be all that shocking to hear of the great smuggler getting knocked off in this latest installment. Here is a brief history lesson for the uninitiated.

Back during the filming of "Return of the Jedi," Harrison Ford wanted Han to be killed off. He apparently was not in love with playing the character and saw death as a quick and easy solution. George Lucas did not oblige.

When Solo was asked about returning to the franchise, his responses in interviews were not of a man excited to take on the role that brought him great fame. So to see Han get killed in this new installment almost seems convenient for all parties involved.

Han is reportedly killed by Kylo Ren, who some believe is actually Han and Leia's misguided son. If Han dies, then he will likely fulfill the role of being a mentor killed off in the first installment of a new trilogy. In "Episode I: The Phantom Menace," Qui-Gon Jinn is killed by Darth Maul and makes way for Obi-wan Kenobi to mentor Anakin Skywalker. In "Episode IV: A New Hope," Obi-wan is killed by Darth Vader to make way for Luke Skywalker to embrace his destiny as a Jedi.

Initially, one might look at this pattern and contemplate Luke as a more likely candidate to get knocked off. After all, like Obi-wan and Qui-gon, Luke is a Jedi Master and his death would pave the way for a new Jedi to come to the fore and lead the way of the heroes.

But Solo makes sense for a number of reasons, presumably. Ford does not have to return, but on a more interesting level it could lead to emotional complications for the film's villain if in fact he kills his own father. "Star Wars" has always been about the battles between apprentices and their mentors (or fathers), but most of the time this has been limited to the sphere of Jedi and Sith. Never has the universe showcased a scenario (at least the films) in which a Jedi kills a father who is not in fact a Jedi or Sith. How does that affect a force wielder? And more importantly, is that the moment when Kylo Ren fully surrenders himself to the dark side?

What is most intriguing of all is obviously how we get to that point and what the dynamics are between father and son for Kylo Ren to go as far as killing his father. These are all fascinating questions that will hopefully be answered on Dec. 18 when "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" finally hits theaters.

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