Anchorhead said:
From the first time I sat in the theater, I've always read that scene differently. I felt the "I know" was his way of telling her that if he didn't make it, he wanted her to know he understood her feelings. That they weren't wasted or unappreciated. He would die knowing the truth.
That's an interesting take, as I never thought of it that way. I always thought of it as Han Solo being Han Solo, as that is what makes him cool around women that most guys don't have. Most guys wouldn't have the confidence to say that to a female in fear of them taking it the wrong way. But Solo is the ultimate cool guy who has the confidence that regardless of his response, Leia will still love him.