Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb Return

In light of yesterday’s huge photo leaks from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we take a look at two characters who seem to be making their comeback. Both of these characters made their first appearance in Return of the Jedi, and although they ended up on the same side, fighting for the same purpose, they could not have been more different.

Perhaps the more notable of the two, Admiral Ackbar who made his debut in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, had his moment in the spotlight as the Supreme Commander of the Rebel Alliance Fleet in the battle for Endor. Born Gial Ackbar an alien species known as the Mon Calamari, he was born on the planet Mon Cala, a planet covered almost completely by water. His famous line, “It’s a trap!” is still often used in just about every aspect of today’s pop culture. Ackbar is also linked to the creation and design of the B-Wing starfighter also used by the Rebel Alliance in the Battle for Endor.

Ackbar was also present in The Clone Wars, as he helped defend his home planet from Separatist subjugation. As the military adviser to Prince Lee-Char, who was forced into leadership after the murder of his father King Yos Kolina, Ackbar helped the Mon Calamari fight the Quarren in the civil war that threatened to destroy Mon Cala.

After seeing him in yesterday’s leaked The Force Awakens photos, we are left wondering just what his role in the knew trilogy will be. And if you think about it, it’s probably not that much of a stretch to think that Ackbar will still be serving in some capacity as the leader of The Resistance (formerly the Rebel Alliance).

The other familiar face to make a surprise appearance in yesterday’s TFA photo leaks, is none other than everyone’s favorite Sullustan smuggler, Nien Nunb. Nien grew up in the caves of Sullust, and became a smuggler for the SoroSuub Corporation. It was in this capacity as a smuggler that he met and befriended Lando Calrissian.

Nien’s big moment came in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, as Lando’s sidekick, when he  co-piloted the Millennium Falcon during the Battle for Endor. After the destruction of the second Death Star, Nien became the administrator of the Kessel spicemines after Lando Calrissian purchased them, and often worked with the New Republic, or in the new canonical history, The Resistance.

Although the story of what Nien went on to do after the Battle for Endor will be considered part of the new official Star Wars canon, it appears that he still has ties to Princess Leia’s The Resistance. Sadly, Lando Calrissian will not be in The Force Awakens, which makes you wonder if Nien Nunb will mention his friend’s name and what he is doing during Episode VII.

Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb weren’t the only photos to come out of yesterday’s leaks, but they are two very surprising characters, that until now, had only been lightly rumored to be in the mix. The leaks do bring up one major question, however. Just who in J.J. Abrams’ camp is leaking these photos, and why are they choosing now to reveal them. Word is spreading rampantly across the internet that we will see an official announcement in the very near future with more approved photos and information. My best guess is that Star Wars will have a massive presence at next month’s San Diego Comic-Con and that is where we will see the next trailer.

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