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This question has come up in the comments of Why don't the Jedi use tutaminis instead of using their lightsabers?

Here's the relevant clip: Han Solo vs Darth Vader encounter on Cloud City

Some think Vader was using tutaminis or absorbing the bolts.

Some think Vader was deflecting the bolts.

Some think Vader was blocking the bolts by either strong armor or a Force shield.

In the video, it's evident that at least one blast is deflected, because you can see it hit the wall (by the door) that leaves a scorch mark. However, the other shots are unaccounted for visually.

Is there a different view (wide-screen VA standard), behind-the-scenes, extra footage, script indication, or official novelization description that provides insight to account for each bolt fired from Han Solo's blaster?

Update
I count 4 blaster shots in another version (link lost), based on visual and sound effects. The last one is countered with Vader's left hand, instead of his right like the others.

One is deflected around and scorches the wall next to the left side of the doorway, from Vader's viewpoint.

Another scorch mark is very briefly visible on the wall to Vader's right, just next to the rectangular wall ornamentation. However, this scorch mark disappears when we next see the wall (from the outside of the room). At the same time, Boba Fett is inexplicably standing behind Lord Vader.

I never noticed the other mark until now, rewatching the clip over and over to count the blaster bolts.

However, this editing snafu makes me wonder if additional footage exists (that may show Boba walking into the scene) that gives us a different viewing angle.

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Speaking strictly G/Disney-Canon, Vader deflects the bolts. The whole concept of Tutatminis is a purely EU originated concept, and does not currently exist in any accepted Disney-Canon materials.

From the annotated screenplay:

The mighty doors to the dining room slide open, and the group enters the dining room. At the far end of a huge banquet table sits Darth Vader.

Faster than the wink of an eye, Han draws his blaster and pops off a few shots directly at Vader. The Dark Lord quickly raises his hand, deflecting the bolts into one of the side walls, where they explode harmlessly. Just as quickly, Han's weapon zips into Vader's hand.

While the screenplay does not specifically mention the number of shots or describe each shot individually, it does note that multiple shots were deflected harmlessly.

The novelization, however, paints a slightly different picture. The novel makes specific mention of Vader's "gauntlet-protected hand". While this does not necessarily mean that the Force was, or was not involved, the wording does cast some doubt on how much was armor, or The Force.

“I’m sorry, too,” Han snapped. In that instant, he cleared his blaster from its holster, aimed it directly at the figure in black, and began to pump laser bolts Vader’s way.

But the man who may have been the fastest draw in the galaxy was not fast enough to surprise Vader. Before those bolts zipped halfway across the table , the Dark Lord had lifted a gauntlet-protected hand and effortlessly deflected them so they exploded against the wall in a harmless spray of flying white shards.

Astounded by what he had just seen, Han tried firing again. But before he could discharge another laser blast, something— something unseen yet incredibly strong —yanked the weapon from his hand and sent it flying into Vader’s grip.

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  • I didn't care for the tutaminis explanation myself. Even with extended canon it would be a retcon. Anyway, the screenplay says all of the bolts deflected into a side wall. Yet on screen only one bolt is obviously deflected, and it was not into a side wall. I know scripts are not exact, but I think that's an interesting detail. (Why was it only important to show one deflection on screen). I wonder if special effects were done for the other shots, but just didn't make it into the view.
    – user31178
    Mar 24, 2015 at 5:20
  • One way to look at it is that ANH showed how cunning, ruthless and quick Han was - by showing him killing Greedo before Greedo got the drop on him. This time, Vader is so quick with the Force, that he is able to pull Han's blaster out of his hand before Han can even get a second shot off.
    – phantom42
    Mar 24, 2015 at 5:24
  • I count 4 blaster shots. However, rewatching the clip provided "proof" of another deflection, so I'm updating the question.
    – user31178
    Mar 24, 2015 at 5:26
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    Han definitely shoot first here.
    – o0'.
    Mar 24, 2015 at 9:11
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    Of note, I've looked at a few lists of comparisons/changes between the original and special edition (like this one). None mention any changes to the dining room scene.
    – phantom42
    Mar 24, 2015 at 14:18

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