There is literally no better way to bring Star Wars fans together, than by debating who the greatest characters in Star Wars history are. Notice I didn’t say “no better way to bring fans together in peace and harmony,” because usually the debate ends in someone’s mother being called a drunken Twi’lek hooker with a pair of fat ugly lekku. As you can see, most of the time these debates really never end well. In fact, it would be a fair assumption to say that debating the greatest Star Wars characters…or who shot first (Han or Greedo), is tantamount to talking about religion or politics on Facebook; You know not everyone is going to agree with you, and most likely someone is going to get un-friended, before it’s all said and done.
So how would one go about comprising a list of the greatest Star Wars characters? Wouldn’t there have to be some sort of rules? And, how long is this list and who decides which characters make the cut?
It’s simple. Each member of the Dork Side of the Force staff would submit a list of their top 25 favorite Star Wars characters…in no particular order. We were allowed to choose any character in the Star Wars universe, which means Expanded Universe, Canon, and Legends were all in play. Once that was done, we compared the lists and made sure that duplicate choices automatically made the final showing, because if multiple people were choosing the same character, then there has to be a reason.
Then, each DSotF staffer would narrow that list down to their top 5 most favorite characters and write-up a reason why these particular 5 characters made the final list. We quickly learned that by doing it this way, no one’s mother was called any unsavory names having to do with slimy Hutt genitalia.
With that in mind, we started our journey, roughly a month ago, and today–Star Wars Day–May 4th, we finally have what we feel is a comprehensive and thought provoking list of the 25 greatest Star Wars characters.
Next: She was the mother of Luke and Leia
25. Padme Amidala
(Write-up by Elaine Tveit, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
Padme Amidala is essential to the Star Wars saga; not only is she the female protagonist of all three films, but also a compelling personality with a fascinating and tragic story arc.
Elected queen of the planet of Naboo at age fourteen, Padme proved a wise and fearless leader when the Trade Federation blockaded her system. She secured victory for her people with help from the Jedi protecting her and the native Gungans, in spite of the secret machinations of Darth Sidious (though under an alias, the latter would become Chancellor of the Republic following the events on Naboo). Ten years later, Padme is leading her people as a senator. Attempts on her life by the nefarious Count Dooku necessitates that she be put under the protection of the Jedi once again, but this time it’s with a familiar face: Anakin Skywalker, the boy who helped get the parts needed to repair her ship when she was fleeing the Trade Federation all those years ago. In their adventures across the stars, the pair fall in love and form a forbidden attachment, one that will guide their fates and the fate of the galaxy forever.
Some consider it a disservice to Padme’s character that she died, seemingly, of a broken heart. But that death, though tragic, is beautiful for its profound effect on the saga. Padme, a steadfast, caring woman, was deeply in love with Anakin, so much so that the “sacrifices” he made to prevent her death (slaying youngling Jedi and pledging his service to an empire) tear her apart. Her story is one of love, loss, and quiet strength. Yes, strength; for even on her deathbed, she still insists that there is good in Anakin. And, as seen in Return of the Jedi, she was right.
Padme’s sensitivity, wisdom, and love are unparalleled in the saga by any save her son, Luke. Through Luke, her wish for Anakin to be redeemed was fulfilled. Together, they were the key to saving not just one man, but an entire galaxy. Padme’s significance to the lives of so many, her femininity, and her humanity render her an invaluable scion in Star Wars.
Next: He found Anakin and brought him to the Jedi Council
24. Qui-Gon Jinn
(Write-up by Joe Prescott, Dork Side of the Force Staff Writer)
If watched in chronological order, the very first line in the Star Wars Saga goes to this character. Albeit a one word line of “Captain”, it is Qui-Gon Jinn who opens the Saga. Played with a cool presence by renowned Irish actor Liam Neeson, he was the first Jedi portrayed on screen since Luke Returned in 1983 and would become a standout part of The Phantom Menace alongside his Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi and his adversary, Sith Apprentice Darth Maul.
Headstrong and self-assured, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn is a formidable enemy and a powerful ally. Trained by Count Dooku, he would eventually become Jedi Master to Obi Wan Kenobi and very briefly a young Anakin Skywalker. Believeing Anakin to be the child to bring about the Prophecy of the One to bring balance to the Force, his initial reaction of the Jedi Council’s dismissal of the Prophecy was of disbelief and frustration, a reaction that caused a stir on the Council who guided him down off his misguided ideas into eventual acceptance. His questionable ethics leading to that point were foolhardy and occasionally dangerous (tampering with Watto’s chance dice, Mind-tricking Boss Nass into handing over Jar Jar) and eventually led to his downfall at the double-blade of the faster, deadly Sith apprentice Darth Maul.
We all know Liam Neeson for his recent resurgence as a tough guy out to rescue his [insert family member here], but he has always been an intelligent and physically imposing character actor, so his role as Qui-Gon Jinn was a hit with the fans. A good performance pulled him through some schlocky lines, and his slightly Harvey Dent-esque moral practices made for a rounded character that would resonate throughout the prequel trilogy, once Master Yoda taught Obi Wan to communicate with him after Episode III. He is a thoughtful, somewhat reckless Jedi Master guided by his own ideas, and arguably caused a portion of Anakin Skywalker’s descent towards the Dark Side.
Next: The baddest Chiss in the galaxy
23. Grand Admiral Thrawn
(Write-up by Kyle Warnke, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
While it’s understandable and even permissible what Disney did with the Expanded Universe, that doesn’t mean we can’t mourn some of its former stars, and my favorite was undoubtedly Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Introduced in Timothy Zahn’s seminal Star Wars trilogy beginning with Heir to the Empire, Thrawn is a Chiss, a blue humanoid alien with red eyes. He’s the only non-human grand admiral in the Empire, a remarkable feat considering the Emperor was a xenophobic ruler.
Thrawn is a master tactician and a menacing presence among his crew, and he also has an obsession with the artwork of various alien races, which he studies to give himself an advantage over them.
Although this may seem like Thrawn was just as ruthless as Darth Vader, in the end he was much more cunning and shrewd.
For example, during the books, one of the Imperial officers under his command loses track of our main heroes when he attempts a unique but risky maneuver with the ship’s radar system. Instead of doing like Vader would do and killing the man on the spot, Thrawn gives the man a promotion for thinking outside of the box, inspiring his crew.
It’s subtle differences like these that paint Thrawn less like a thug and more like a leader who knows exactly how to gain the loyalty of his men. He was the first real Star Wars villain outside of the films who seemed like he could hold a candle to Vader.
We probably won’t see Thrawn pop up anytime soon, but he’s still left quite a legacy even with his limited appearances.
Next: A Sith Lord from the Old Republic
22. Darth Malgus
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
Before Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader stormed the Jedi Temple and killed all the younglings inside, Darth Malgus had the honor of completely decimating the original incarnation of the symbol for the Jedi Order on Coruscant, and he did it looking much like Darth Vader would eventually look, only cooler.
In the days of the Old Republic, during the Great Galactic War that lasted 28 years, between 3681 BBY and 3653 BBY, Darth Malgus made a name for himself, and rose to power in the Sith Empire. These weren’t the days of the Rule of Two, no, back then there were vast armies of Sith and Jedi who constantly fought each other…one side bent on domination and the other, dedicated to stopping them. Malgus distinguished himself among hundreds of thousands of Sith warriors, lords, and Darths.
Malgus was a deep and complex character, for while his hatred of the republic and Jedi was only rivaled by his brutality, he also had a side that only one other soul was allowed to see. During his rise to power, Malgus fell in love with a Twi’lek slave girl named Eleena Daru. She eventually grew to love him back, and throughout the Great Galactic War, the two fought beside each other; One a powerful Sith Lord and the other a slave who was deadly accurate with a blaster.
My first introduction to Darth Malgus came in the opening cinematic for Star Wars: The Old Republic, and it was because of how completely badass he was, that I chose to play only characters from the Galactic Empire, and to be more specific, Sith. The cool thing about Malgus was that he was no “one and done” villain, no, he was a lasting presence the entire time I played that game. And, while the new Sith Lords like Darth Maul and Kylo Ren are definitely cool…in an evil sort of way, none of them can old a candle to their fore-bearers, like Darth Malgus.
Next: The co-founder of Rogue Squadron
21. Wedge Antilles
(Write-up by Joe Prescott, Dork Side of the Force Staff Writer)
We all know Luke Skywalker to be a great pilot, but the Rebel Alliance needed more than just the best bush pilot in the Outer Rim Territories to contend with the swarms of TIE Fighters shovelled out by the Empire. Cue the formation of Rogue Squadron, the elite team of pilots gathered by Luke and his wingman from the Battle of Yavin, Wedge Antilles. A Corellian pilot with natural piloting skills and a keen sense of tactical manoevures, Wedge would end up being present at every major battle between the Imperial and Rebel forcesand by doing so proved himself more than once to be a valuable asset to the Rebel Fleet. As previously stated he helped Luke with the Trench Run on the first Death Star, but he was also the only Rogue pilot to bring down an AT-AT during the Battle of Hoth, and finally flew with Lando into the second Death Star and helped destroy the main reactor. Truly a hero of the Rebellion and the galaxy.
Wedge has since appeared in several formats across the EU. He was a playable character in the Rogue Squadron video games, had a successful run of novels with the superb “X-Wing” series and regularly pops up in various sizes of action figures. A real fan favourite, it takes a lot to fly alongside Luke Skywalker. But Wedge was more than worthy enough it turned out, and as Luke was otherwise occupied with his own battle Wedge was commander of Red Squadron during the Battle of Endor, named in honour of the fighter squadron who went up against the first Death Star, and gave the quotable command to the Squadron “Lock S-Foils in Attack position”. The dogfights in Star Wars were always popular with the fans (tell me you didn’t enact the TIE attack on the Falcon when you were a kid!!) and cool-headed tactical pilots such as Wedge showed how a snubfighter could be flown in the right hands.
Denis Lawson was the actor to portray Wedge in all three episodes of the Original Trilogy, along with a “Fake Wedge” during the briefing before the Battle of Yavin, and would cause a stir of excitement whenever he was seen in the cockpit of a vessel. Turns out, Lawson would be further tied to the Saga as a family member would portray another important character in the Prequel Trilogy. Ewan McGregor is Lawson’s nephew, so the Force runs strong in their family!
Next: The Bounty Hunter O.G.
20. Boba Fett
(Write-up by Kyle Warnke, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
Boba Fett’s kind of in an odd place right now. No, I’m not talking about the belly of the Sarlaac he fell into in Return of the Jedi. I’m talking about his existence in the new canon universe. The Lucasfilm Story Group has been coy about their plans for the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, and they skirted plenty of questions at Star Wars Celebration about the Mandalorian’s fate, offering only the cryptic statement, “Boba Fett is both alive and dead.”
Well, that’s actually sort of badass.
But it’s still unsatisfactory. There’s no way Disney will let Fett rot underneath the sands of Tatooine. Next to Darth Vader, he’s arguably the most beloved character of the entire franchise, and he has less than five minutes of total screentime in the films. But then again, that’s part of the character’s appeal. Our brief glimpses of him only deepened the mystery surrounding just who was behind that iconic visor.
The prequels undermined this aura when they revealed his backstory: a special clone created for Jango Fett to have a son and pass on his lineage. This didn’t really serve any apparent purpose to the story, so it felt like a cheap origin story that George Lucas threw to the fans to quiet them down.
But Fett still has plenty of potential, especially if Disney decides to build on the character’s roots in Western antihero archetypes. Regardless, Fett should be a crucial component of the universe going forward. He’s no good to them dead. This bounty is worth more alive.
Next: I love you...
19. Princess Leia Organa
(Write-up by Elaine Tveit, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
A princess by adoption, a leader by nature. Leia Organa is a symbol of survival for the Rebel Alliance, and a secret connection to the Force makes her a beacon of hope for the future.
From the beginning, it’s clear that Leia is not to be underestimated. When captured by the Empire on the way to delivering the Death Star plans to the Rebellion, Leia acts quickly, stowing the plans aboard her faithful droid R2-D2 and instructing him to escape to the planet Tatooine. She stands up to Darth Vader, the most intimidating being in the Empire, and endures terrible torture and the destruction of her own home planet of Alderaan without revealing the whereabouts of the Rebel Alliance’s base. When she is rescued from her prison cell by Luke Skywalker and the annoying but attractive Han Solo, she takes charge right away, and is integral to their escape from the Death Star. Her courage and quick thinking saved the Rebel Alliance and secured their victory almost as much as Luke’s Force-guided shot that destroyed the Death Star.
Leia is not just a fearless leader, however. She is also a sensitive, caring individual. She falls in love with Han, the smuggler-turned-rebel who both irritates and brings out the best in her. She becomes aware of her connection to the Force when Luke reveals that he is her brother and that they are the offspring of Anakin Skywalker, also Darth Vader, the man who tortured her and Han and countless other beings. She has to come to terms with her new place in the universe, and she does so with quiet emotion and characteristic grace.
Complexity is essential to making any character withstand the test of multiple installments. Leia’s character fulfills that requirement with her courage, dignity, sarcasm, sensitivity, and warmth. Princess, leader, friend, lover; Leia does it all. But she does it all in a very human way, which is what makes her so real. She is, without a doubt, the quintessential heroine in Star Wars (and beyond).
Next: ...I know
18. Han Solo
(Write-up by Kyle Warnke, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
I’ve always been dissatisfied with how we left Han. Going back all the way to that cantina shootout in A New Hope, in which he may or may not have taken the first shot, Han has displayed the most significant transformative arc of the three leads. But it never quite finished the way it was supposed to, like reaching the top of the rollercoaster only to have the ride stall on you.
Harrison Ford wanted Han to die in Return of the Jedi, but he was shot down in real-life by George Lucas, for reasons we’ll never know but can probably suspect are tied to merchandising. It would have been a wrenching story development for fans, but one can ponder that it might have elevated the reputation of Return of the Jedi, which is often derided for some of its silliness in the wake of the darkness of The Empire Strikes Back.
Ford himself has had the most success post-Star Wars but he’s also played a rogue when it comes to the Star Wars community. He usually skips the convention and the reunions, and even if his plane accident hadn’t happened, I doubt he would have attended Celebration this year. Which is kind of amazing when it’s his line in the trailer that sold the whole thing.
This makes it odd that he would be willing to return to the role that he wanted to end so badly in 1983, although perhaps he felt “drafted” just like Mark Hamill. Or perhaps J.J. Abrams will finally let him go out his own way, exactly like he wanted to in the first place.
Next: The Ithorian with a heart
17. Momaw Nadon (Hammerhead)
(Write-up by Joe Prescott, Dork Side of the Force Staff Writer)
Remember the first time you saw the Cantina scene? Remember thinking about how bizarre all the different patrons looked? Remember the guy with the anvil shaped head, looked a bit like a Hammerhead shark? That character, later to be named Momaw Nadon, was a cause of such fascination by the fans that he eventually had his own back story written up for 1995’s excellent “Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina” that showed him to be a peaceful and honorable Rebel sympathiser, and he has also had a slew of exquisite merchandise and further EU appearances from his species, the green-fingered farming Ithorians.
Known by his nickname “Hammerhead”, a name that came from the Kenner action figure line, Nadon was much more than another midday drinker in the Cantina when he first appeared in Episode IV. In Dave Wolverton’s “The Sand Tender: The Hammerhead’s Tale”, he is an exiled priest working to grow trees and agriculture in the arid climate of Tatooine. He was exiled for trading Ithorian agricultural techniques and technology secrets with the Empire under torture, but later aids the Millennium Falcon’s escape by placing the blame on the Imperial Officer who had tortured him. He felt regret for these actions and continued his exile until he was later restored as herd leader on Ithor where he continued his work as he still felt he had shamed himself and sought personal redemption.
Ithorians are generally philosophical and peaceful by nature, and Nadon became a good representation of his people. Initially a striking and imposing figure, his noble agricultural work and honorable intentions are a welcome feeling of peace and sincerity in the Cantina and the EU, and although packaged with uncharacteristic weapons in Kenner’s POTF toy line he has since proved to be a strong enough presence to have multiple collectibles released over the years. A gentle and honorable EU character popularized by his unique appearance and catchy nickname.
Next: He created and implemented the Rule of Two
16. Darth Bane
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
Darth Bane started out as Dessel, a poor miner with anger issues who escaped imprisonment by the republic, by joining and becoming a foot soldier in the Sith Brotherhood of Darkness. Eventually his Sith masters recognized his Force sensitivity and sent him to train at the Sith Academy on Korriban.
Realizing that the Sith Empire had become a bunch of sycophantic weaklings, Bane deserted the Sith and forsook the Dark Side of the Force. During his time away from the Sith Empire, Bane studied a Holocron from Darth Revan and from it he learned how to bring-down the current Sith ruling class. By doing so, Bane created a new Sith Order and the Rule of Two. “One Master and one apprentice; one to embody the power, the other to crave it.”
Darth Bane holds a special place among the Sith, as he was able to deceive and defeat not only the already dying Sith Order, but an entire group of Jedi as well. Bane lured them all to a cave where a “thought bomb” was detonated, killing all Force sensitive beings in the vicinity. Bane’s power alone, earns him a spot on this list, but the fact that he created the Rule of Two, cements that place forever.
Next: He walked the path between the Dark and the Light
15. Darth Revan
(Write-up by Joe Prescott, Dork Side of the Force Staff Writer)
Okay, so if you haven’t played the glory that is 2003’s “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” then you may not know who Darth Revan is, or the impact their story had on those who played it. If you’re not into spoilers then don’t read past the SPOILERS AHEAD warning on this post.
Developed by BioWare and LucasArts, KotOR is an award winning RPG set in the Old Republic and has players travelling the Universe, interacting with memmorable characters and developing their Force powers through duels with scoundrels, assassins and Sith Acolytes. During the game, Sith Lord Darth Malak is in constant pursuit of you and your party as he searches for his former Master Darth Revan. Eventually he finds his Master, and Revan’s place in the annals of Star Wars is forged. Revan went on to appear in several other video games including the KotOR sequel “Sith Lords” and the MMO-RPG “The Old Republic”, always getting players excited as they appeared and became integrated into the stories. A dark and constantly changing character with a sinister Sith appearance, Darth Revan helped reinvigorate interest in Star Wars after the Prequel Trilogy came to a slow and predictable finish, plus the character delivered a shocking revelation that still resonates with fans to this day…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
See how I never referred to Revan as either Him or Her? That’s because you choose your gender at the beginning of KotOR. Yes, even 23 years after Vaders shocking revelation to Luke, Star Wars still has the ability to completely turn the tides and stun you with story development. As you encounter Darth Malak mid-way through KotOR, he reveals that you had been brainwashed by the Republic after he turned against you, and that your true identity is Darth Revan. Yes, YOU are Revan! This massive reveal still makes hairs stand on the neck, and gamers fondly reminisce this plotline as much as those who first saw Episode V all those years ago. Arguably the closest we have felt to being a part of the Star Wars Universe and surely not one that can be topped in terms of sheer magnitude and shock. So what makes Darth Revan such a good character? It’s because You are Revan, and we always shall be thanks to BioWare and KotOR.
Next: Chose him, we did.
14. Yoda
(Write-up by Elaine Tveit, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
Next to Darth Vader, C-3PO, and R2-D2, Yoda may be the most recognizable character from the Star Wars saga to the world at large. This is likely due to more than his wizened green looks and strange way of speaking. In the Star Wars universe as well as in ours, Yoda is a wealth of wisdom that has guided more than one young person to their destiny.
“For 800 years have I trained Jedi,” Yoda tells Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. Said in a tiny fire-lit hut on an oozing swamp, it may have been hard to believe that those words came from a powerful Jedi Master. But in the days of the Republic, Yoda was the leader of the Jedi Council and the foremost authority on the Force and its mysterious ways. His vision and knowledge made him a respected individual both inside and outside the Jedi Temple. But in those dark times leading up to the Clone Wars, even Yoda’s connection to the Force grew clouded. Though he was given vague insight into the future from mystical places, as well as the Force ghost of Qui Gon Jinn, he still could not prevent the destruction of the Jedi Order at the hands of Emperor Palpatine, the Sith lord who eluded him for so many years, and Palpatine’s new apprentice, once the pride of the Jedi Order, Anakin Skywalker. All Yoda’s skill and power in the Force was no match for Palpatine; the balance of the Force had long shifted out of his favor. There was nothing left for him to do but to go into hiding on Dagobah and wait for the coming of the new hope: Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker’s son.
Yoda’s training of Luke is about more than just learning how to use the Force; it’s about achieving a connection with the Force. It’s also about finding peace within yourself. And it is also about the pursuit of a higher calling. “Luminous beings, are we,” teaches Yoda, “not this crude matter.”
It is in Yoda that the more spiritual quality of Star Wars shines. Most of us want to feel that we are something more than we appear, that we have a greater potential that we simply can’t connect to yet. Yoda shows us that that potential is there. As he lifts Luke’s crashed X-Wing from the swamp, to the disbelief of Luke himself, we see his power, quiet and unobtrusive, but present. He is humble in his abilities, yet the abilities are there nonetheless. He serves as a lesson that we can and should live up to our greatest potential. And in so doing, he becomes an essential part of Luke’s story, that of the Star Wars saga, and even our own.
Next: Old Ben
13. Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Write-up by Kyle Warnke, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
One of the rare bright spots of the prequel trilogy is Ewan McGregor’s delightful performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi. He imbues the character with a tongue-in-cheek slyness and humor that’s sorely missing in the rest of the downtrodden cast. Plus, McGregor pays plenty of homage to Alec Guiness’ original portrayal, capturing the wariness and gentle demeanor of the veteran actor even as he’s playing a younger version.
That’s a tough thing to do for an actor, especially when Guiness had all those real-life locations and sets and McGregor mostly acted opposite a bunch of green screens. Even in the darker and more serious scenes, McGregor nails the emotional requirement without trying too hard or overdoing the camp, unlike some of his colleagues.
He presented a nice arc over the course of the trilogy, too. In Episode I, he’s a brooding youngster eager to prove himself to his master; in Episode II, he’s struggling with the responsibilities of training Anakin; and in Episode III, he’s become a disappointed parent who must come to terms with Anakin’s downfall and his failures as a teacher and master.
And don’t forget the physical demands, which forced the actor to pick up swordfighting. He acquitted himself admirably, never seeming too slow or out-of-place during the key fight scenes (when he wasn’t a CGI creation, that is). I won’t see McGregor gave a better performance than Guiness, but the late actor would certainly have been impressed with how his counterpart carried on the torch of the role.
Next: This is one of the droids you were looking for...
12. C-3PO
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
Few characters in the Star Wars universe embody the lighthearted nature of droids with human personality, than C-3PO. When watching the Original Trilogy as a kid, I was always happy to see the golden droid trained in human-cyborg relations, because I knew that no matter how scary or dark the situation, C-3PO and his little pal Artoo, would somehow bumble and stumble their way into making everything all better.
What’s even more amazing and fun about the character of See-Threepio, is the actor who so expertly portrays him (Anthony Daniels), is an actual living-breathing incarnation of Anakin Skywalker’s first droid. If you’ve ever had the great pleasure of meeting him at a convention, he is always willing to go out of his way to sign autographs, talk to fans, and take pictures with anyone who asks.
And that’s what C-3PO is all about…helping others. No matter how much he complained about it, the droid who was programmed for etiquette, but not destruction was always there when his droid pal or organic life-form masters/friends needed him. Threepio was there for me as a kid, and now that I’m an adult, he’s there for my nieces and nephews…and that’s the beauty of it all; he’s a droid, technically he will live forever!
Next: ...and this is the other droid you were looking for.
11. R2-D2
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
If you were to walk up to a completely random stranger on the street and ask them who the most lovable character in the entire Star Wars universe is, undoubtedly their answer, nine times out of ten, would be R2-D2. If C-3PO embodies huge amounts of human personality, then Artoo takes that personality and goes one adorable step further.
Just a couple of weeks ago, when the second trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuted at the Star Wars Celebration, the one moment that actually brought a tear to my eye, was the scene with Luke placing his hand on R2.
R2-D2 was there for Anakin Skywalker, when as a Jedi General he led the republic armies against the Separatists. Artoo and Anakin’s adventures could have comprised their own show and would have lasted as long as Clone Wars did…and that’s not because of Anakin, no R2 carried that team into the spotlight.
Even though The Clone Wars was an animated show that targeted a much younger generation, the inclusion of R2 helped to bridge that gap to the adult demographic. R2-D2 also made the galaxy far away, seem like a small world, as Luke Skywalker came across his father’s old droids, who had been watching over Leia, his sister.
You can take a lot of characters out of the Star Wars universe and you’d still have Star Wars, but remove R2-D2 and you might as well have Star Trek…that’s how important he is to the story, as a whole.
Next: He was supposed to bring balance to the Force...
10. Anakin Skywalker
(Write-up by Elaine Tveit, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
Born into slavery with seemingly no hope for freedom, Anakin Skywalker thinks he has found his true destiny with the coming of Jedi Knight Qui Gon Jinn. He discovers that he has a powerful sensitivity to the living Force, more powerful than that of even Grand Jedi Master Yoda; more than this, he finds that he is to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Chosen One as the one who will bring balance to the Force. But the path he finds himself on proves to be more twisted and dark than an innocent boy of ten years could ever imagine.
Anakin represents the darkness in all of us. The choices he makes are fed by his passions: his deep love for his mother and his wife, Padme Amidala, and his hatred for slavery. Though he becomes a powerful and skilled Jedi Knight and a leader of legions in the Clone Wars, and is even granted his own apprentice, he cannot escape the lure of the Dark Side, especially when Chancellor Palpatine, also Darth Sidious, is feeding his doubts and fears. When visions of Padme’s death haunt his dreams, Anakin thinks he has to make a choice between saving her with the power of the Dark Side and saving the galaxy from the Dark Side. In the end, he doesn’t think he can live without her… and so the Emperor names him Darth Vader, and Anakin Skywalker becomes the new lord of the Sith.
But Anakin also represents the power of redemption. Though he succumbed to the Dark Side, his spiral was partly motivated by very human intentions: he wanted to save the woman he loved from death. Unfortunately, he went about it in the worst way possible, and in so doing his vision of Padme came true. The next two decades were spent in instilling fear and order into the new Empire, and carrying out the bidding of his Sith master. Yet, despite all of that rage and destruction, all it took was the kindness and love of his son to resurrect Anakin Skywalker from the metal shell that was Darth Vader. The result is one of the most human and profound character arcs in the Star Wars saga.
Next: ...Until he chose the Dark Side
9. Darth Vader
(Write-up by Kyle Warnke, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
It’s a testament to the Sith Lord’s longevity not just that he’s still the most important and widely used character in the Star Wars universe, but that we’re still discovering new angles and takes on his persona.
In Marvel’s new comic book line focusing on the character, he’s a vengeful yet stoic enforcer who is struggling to cope with being under his master’s thumb.
In Star Wars Rebels, he’s making his debut in Season 2, where he’s a demonic, almost horror-film figure who represents an unbeatable adversary for the crew of the Ghost. But a key storyline of this season will likely revolve around his discovery that Ahsoka Tano, his former apprentice, is alive, and how he deals with that.
Vader isn’t even totally gone in the upcoming films, as the appearance of his charred helmet in The Force Awakens trailer suggests, and with the rumors of Episode VII taking advantage of flashbacks, perhaps we’ll see a live-action Vader onscreen sooner than we think.
His versatility is part of what makes him such a strong villain for the franchise. Vader can be an aggressive psychopath, a cunning strategist, a ruthless warrior, a struggling apprentice or an ashamed father.
He may not be as super-evil as the Emperor or as effortlessly cool at Darth Maul, but a key aspect of his appeal is his tragic element. Vader represents the franchise’s ideals of redemption no matter how dark your soul has gotten, and that’s why it will be hard for Star Wars to move on from the character, if it ever does.
Next: Is that a Wookiee? Yep, it's definitely a Wookiee.
8. Chewbacca
(Write-up by Joe Prescott, Dork Side of the Force Staff Writer)
“We named the dog Indiana”. So says Henry Jones Sr. in Spielberg’s classic “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, scripted by George Lucas who had used the same name for his Alaskan Malamute. But this dog would inspire more than just a plot point for Dr. Jones, as the dog’s large build and long-haired appearance gave Lucas the idea of a sidekick for our favourite smuggler. Man’s best friend became Han’s best friend, co-pilot and mechanic, always by his side. Affectionately named Chewie by Han, he has become one of the Sagas most enduring and recognisable characters and a solid favourite across the ages.
A Wookiee originating from the arboreal planet of Kashyyyk, Chewbacca fought against Imperial oppression for a number of years before coming into contact with Han Solo, a Lieutenant in the Imperial Forces at the time, who rescued him from Imperial custody and was relieved of duty as a consequence. Chewie owed Han a life debt and became his sidekick from therein, helping with smuggling, fighting and whatever other unlawful shenanigans Han was up to. The two became synonymous, rarely apart and the cause of aggravation for Imperial, gangster and bounty hunters alike. Chewie’s fierce loyalty and combat skills were feared by his enemies and if someone wanted to get to Han they knew they’d have to go through Chewie first. He became a part of the Rebel Alliance after he spoke to Obi Wan Kenobi in the Mos Eisley Cantina and helped the Rebellion topple the Empire. EU stories took a dark turn when he was one of the first movie characters to die in a later story, a move that caused a massive backlash by the fans. But he still stands today as a formidable sidekick with a distinctive growl and a big soft side.
Chewie was a huge hit when he first appeared as lots of people could relate to having pets and furry companions when they were growing up. Initially intended to be played by Dave “Darth Vader” Prowse, 7’3″ British Actor Peter Mayhew ended up portraying the fuzzball on screen and mimicked the movements of large animals at the zoo for Chewie’s distinctive gait, while his unique resonant vocals were created by Sound Designer Ben using several animal noises mixed together, including walruses, bears and lions. Loyalty and friendship are the key components to this character and there’s no denying that the world still loves this walking carpet!
Next: The Force was strong with him
7. Luke Skywalker
(Write-up by Elaine Tveit, Dork Side of the Force Assistant Editor)
He began as a wanderlust youth with a thirst for adventure and excitement. What he was destined for was something much greater: to mark the return of peace and order to the galaxy by becoming a Jedi Knight.
Skywalker’s origins may have been that of a backwater desert planet, but his boldness and connection to the Force soon launched him on a path to the adventure he craved. Embarking on a whirlwind adventure with the mysterious hermit Jedi, Obi Wan Kenobi, he quickly becomes embroiled in the war between the tyrannous Empire and the freedom-fighting Rebel Alliance. His rescue of Alliance confederate Princess Leia and the destruction of the Death Star gain him fame and glory.
But like all heroes on their hero’s journey, Luke must experience much pain and suffering to reach his true destiny. Under the tutelage of aged Jedi Master Yoda, Luke becomes more and more attuned to the Light Side of the Force. His test, however, comes from the Dark Side and Darth Vader, the Sith Lord who enforces the rule of the Emperor with his own evil talents. The secret Vader holds is even more dangerous: the secret that Luke is Vader’s own son.
In coming to accept this burden of his heritage, Luke is filled with renewed hope and patience. He becomes determined to redeem his father from the clutches of his master, the Emperor, and the Dark Side. To do that, he must leave his friends behind and face the evil of the Emperor and his wayward father alone. In so doing, he conquers his own inner demons…as well as those of Darth Vader, who through his son’s innate light and goodness returns to his former self: Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight.
Luke Skywalker embodies the concepts of kindness and the belief in redemption against all odds that evil presents. His journey is one that is timeless, and that is what earns him a place as a top Star Wars character.
Next: He's a card player, gambler, scoundrel. You'd like him
6. Lando Calrissian
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
I remember watching the Original Trilogy, as a kid, and thinking that there was no one cooler than Han Solo…and then Lando Calrissian graced the screen with his cool demeanor and a swagger that Han could only wish for, and I immediately had to rethink what cool Star Wars characters actually meant.
Even when Lando betrayed Han, Luke and Leia to Darth Vader, I didn’t even get mad at him. What else can you say about a character who was considered to be a scoundrel, gambler, and a pirate, but reversed his fortunes to control an entire city…in the clouds?
I can’t claim to know why Lando isn’t in the upcoming Force Awakens, but that has been my one gripe from day one, that there would be no Lando dropping cool lines with Han and Chewie. Hopefully, whomever is directing Episode VIII will see the error in this oversight, and rectify it immediately. I mean, there’s got to be a reason the Millennium Falcon was abandoned, right? We all know Lando never gave it back to Han after the Battle for Endor, so what is the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy just sitting on Jakku, seemingly abandoned? Bring back Lando, bring him back!
Next: He was Emperor Palpatine's master
5. Darth Plagueis
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
Before there was Darth Sidious as the evil Emperor of the Galactic Empire, there was his master, Darth Plagueis. If you thought Palpatine was cruel and sinister, then you would be shocked at the level of evil that Plagueis went to.
Plagueis became a Sith apprentice in the time of the Rule of Two, which meant he craved the power his master had, and when the first opportunity presented itself, he killed his master, thus becoming a Sith Lord…or the Sith Lord. Shortly after that, during a visit to Naboo, Plagueis in his guise as Hego Damask, a high ranking member of the banking clan, came across the force sensitive Palpatine.
Plagueis took Palpatine on as an apprentice and the two used all their considerable means toward the scientific research of midi-chlorians. Plagueis the Wise was sure that he could manipulate the force to bring about the birth of the Chosen One…which he did in the form of Anakin Skywalker.
In true Sith fashion, Palpatine trained his own apprentice (Darth Maul), and plotted to kill his master so that he could be the Supreme Sith Lord.
On the night of his ascension to the galactic senate as Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine/Darth Sidious lured his master (Plagueis), back to his apartments where the two Sith Lords drank wine in celebration. Plagueis was convinced that he had talked his apprentice into doing away with the Rule of Two, so that they could reign as equals, together.
Once Plagueis had passed out due to being drunk with wine, Sidious shot Force lighting into his master, killing his earthly body. Sidious knew of Plagueis’ desire for immortality, but did not think he had achieved it. Once his master was dead, Sidious felt a disturbance in the Force which he attributed to his apprentice’s, Darth Maul, death at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Fast forward to 2015 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The rumor for a while now is that Kylo Ren is being controlled by a Sith Lord more powerful than any Sith that has been seen for hundreds of years. Whispers of a tomb being inhabited by the Force ghost or presence of Darth Plagueis the Wise have been circulating the rumor mills. How cool would it be, if the master of Darth Sidious the Emperor, was actually alive the whole time, just waiting to make his move? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Next: Speaking of Darth Sidious
4. Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
What else can be said about Emperor Palpatine that wasn’t already said on the previous page. Oh I know…how about his: As a kid, this guys straight scared me. Like, his wrinkled and hooded face haunted my nightmares. Palpatine was the pure embodiment of evil, in the Original Trilogy.
Though his character was portrayed in the OT by many people, through body acting and voice overs, the actor who really brought the evil of Palpatine to life, was Ian McDiarmid. For as much flack that the prequels took, there were just a few actors that really shined past the horrible CGI and the abomination that was Jar Jar Binks, and that was Ian McDiarmid.
McDiarmid had finally put a face to the most horrific villain of my childhood, and he did it with a level of professionalism that is not often seen. His final battle with Yoday, in Revenge of the Sith, will forever go down as one the best fights in Star Wars history. The sheer power…UNLIMITED POWER of Darth Sidious’ Force Lightning is the stuff of Star Wars legend.
Next: The Sith that made it cool to be a Sith, again.
3. Darth Maul
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
When Darth Maul first appeared, in The Phantom Menace, sporting his black hooded robes and his red tattooed face, I thought I had never seen anything so cool. And, when he revealed his double-bladed lightsaber, I almost did a back-flip in the theater.
Ray Parks portrayed Maul so well, and let’s be honest, it was his martial arts skills that really sold the character of Darth Maul. The look of unbridled rage and hatred on his face, has gone unchallenged, with the exception of Anakin Skywalker when he changed to the Dark Side.
My one problem with how Maul was handled in The Phantom Menace, is that he was a “one and done” villain. Even though he was brought back in Clone Wars, he was considered dead in the films, which was a terrible move on Lucas’ part. Darth Maul made it cool to be a Sith, and for that, we thank him.
Next: Wait, who shot first?
2. Greedo
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
Who shot first? Was it Han Solo, the smooth talking, fast flying smuggler? Or, was it Greedo, the green, bug-eyed Rodian? There are arguments to be made for both sides, but if you fall in lime with scum-bag bounty hunters, then Greedo is your guy.
Greedo’s time on screen was brief, and yet he became such a polarizing character. Perhaps it was because his death involved Han Solo’s first on screen kill, or maybe it was the manner in which Greedo died, but all these years later, and we are still talking about who shot first, Han or Greedo?
One thing is clear about Greedo, however, and that is that he hated the Republic. No matter where he lived, whether it was on Tatooine or Nar Shaddaa, the Rodian mercenary turned on the Republic, every chance he got. In the end, regardless of who shot first, Greedo got what he deserved.
Next: The leader of the Clones
1. Captain Rex
(Write-up by David Harris (Razor), Dork Side of the Force Editor in Chief)
CT-7567, better known as Captain Rex, was a clone trooper captain who led the 501st Legion during the Clone Wars. Like all Clones, Rex was born and trained on Kamino, and entered into the service of the Republic Army. Rex earned the respect of his Jedi Generals rather quickly, and was a favorite go-tp of Anakin Skywalker.
What set Rex apart from the other Clones, and really this goes for most of the 501st, was the close bonds of brotherhood and friendship that he and the others shared with each other. Because of their bond and ability to work so well together, Rex and another Clone commander, Cody, often went of joint assignments with Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Rex and the rest of the 501st go down as some of the better developed characters on Clone Wars, and if you’ve been paying attention to the trailer for Season 2 of Rebels, those old veterans of the 501st make a comeback. It’s going to be exciting to see our old friends, once again.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this top 25 list of Star Wars characters. If you think a character should have been added or removed, then tell is all about it, in the comments below.
Next: Captain Phasma Photo From Vanity Fair Star Wars Spread