If the artists
references multiple photographs and produces an image
of Han Solo where Han is standing in a pose different from any of the
photographs, or in a different or neutral setting, then it's not a
derivative work of any one photograph.
*Still* not off the hook! The copyright covers any sort of
depiction of the character, irrespective of the mechanics of
production. For instance, a Han Solo action figure is not an
exact reproduction of any screenshot from the movie, but it
can only be legally sold under license from the moviemaker. Ditto
for 3D meshes and textures ending up in a Star Wars-themed video
game. As I said in another message, the pros at this are wise to
all kinds of trickery, and there is case law for a remarkable
variety of attempts to find loopholes.
Well, I guess that's that then. No images of Han Solo. (But images of
Harrison Ford are okay for [[Harrison Ford]]?)
--
Philip L. Welch