}); The Road to Episode Infinity: March 2019

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Aliens of "Solo"




Mimbanese

The Mimbanese lived on the mud-world of Mimban. They had naturally red skin and large black eyes, but their camouflage outfits allowed them to hide in the muck of their swampy homeworld. The Mimban species aligned themselves with the Republic during the Clone Wars and fought alongside of the 224th Swamptrooper division. However, years later this same division would invade Mimban, including corporal Han Solo.

The planet Mimban first appeared in the Legends novel “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye” which released in 1978. In that novel, however, the native species was called the Coway and they lived in deep caves.

One Mimbanese named Waydurk was a member of Enfys Nest’s Cloud-Riders.

Pyke

The Pyke species had large heads, small faces, and were highly associated with the spice trade. Though the Pyke homeworld was Oba Diah, many members of the species spent time on Kessel where spice was mined. The Pykes were, however, allergic to the Kessel atmosphere and had to wear special armor and breathing tubes while on planet.

The Pyke species were developed by George Lucas for the TV series “The Clone Wars”. The species first appeared in Season 5 which aired in 2013. Five years later the species would appear in the live action film “Solo: A Star Wars Story”

Ardennian

Sporting six limbs, the Ardennian species were adept at many professions, including military combat. According to Ardennian pilot Rio Durrant, Mynock Roasts were a popular dish on Ardennia.

Though Rio Durrant is voice by Jon Favreau, circus performer Katy Kartwheel performed practical effects for the character while shooting “Solo: A Star Wars Story”.

Grindalid

The Grinalid homeworld had such a dense atmosphere that very little light reached the surface. Therefore, the species had sensitive eyes and skin. The worm-like species has many arms and the females appeared to be much larger than the males. Though Grindalids did not like to leave the water, some were able to walk upright on land.

A group of Grindalids led by Lady Proxima established a criminal gang known as the White Worms on the planet Corellia. Proxima’s role in “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was inspired by Fagin from “Oliver Twist” who also recruited children to run a criminal underworld.

Danzikan

The Danzikan hailed from the swamp-world of Danzik and were recognized by the fact they had two heads. On each head were four eyes, two antenna and mouth tendrils. Each head also controlled an arm with two digits. Because both heads had unique personalities, the Danzikan were successful in business and sport. Lark and Jonk were Danzik that often played cards with Lando Calrissian on the planet Vandor.

Ivan Manzella, who designed creatures for “Solo” wanted the aliens to be inspired by 1950’s space monsters. Since “Solo” was to be taking place a decade prior to the original trilogy, he imagined what filmmakers in 1965 would be influenced by.

Octeroid

Octeroids evolved on the aquatic world of Octero IV. They were recognized by their green skin and large yellow eyes. Though menacing looking, Octeroids were actually a peaceful species. They lived simple lives without much technology and most did not stray far from their homeworld. Octeroids who did venture off planet used breathing devices.

The Octeroid, Glaucus, spent time on Vandor where he earned the nicknames “Big Guy” and “Big Eye”, but because he did not speak Basic well he could not tell the difference between his two nicknames.


Octeroids, such as Glaucus, had a disadvantage in card games since other players were able to see the reflection of the cards in their large glassy eyes and Octeroids also had trouble concealing cards in their small hands.

Crocin

The Crocin species evolved on the planet Croce where they lived in caverns. These reptilians had short yellow bodies, but large mouths with protruding teeth. When leaving the caves of their homeworlds Crocin would often wear goggles to protect their sensitive eyes.

Karjj was the Crocin that played Sabacc against Lando Calrissian and Han Solo on planet Vandor. Karjj was obsessed with the game, but did not win often and his temper would always get the better of him when he lost.

Nephran

The Nephran were a crustacean species from the watery planet of Nepotis. They species had black eyes, large claw hands, and clawed feet. The species was rare in the galaxy and little was known about them or their homeworld.

Therm Scissorpunch was the self-named Nephran who was commonly found playing Sabacc on Vandor. Therm called himself Scissorpunch because he had implanted a shank in his claw to stab his opponents.

Elnacon

Elnacon were a large intimidating race, who were actually by-and-large a kind peaceful race who were family-oriented. Elnacon had noseless faces and large four-fingered hands. The Elnacon homeworld was gravity heavy and rich in ammonia gas and off-planet Elnacon wore breathing helmets.


Dava Cassamam was a female member of the species that mined gas on gas giants and was adept at playing Sabacc. According to creature designer Jake Lunt Davies, Dava Cassamam does not have any identifying female traits. He notes that most aliens are assumed to be male unless they are “curvy, sexy, or have a feminine costume,”. But Davies wanted Dava Cassamam to be female to show that all female aliens did not have to fit with that trope.

Azumel

The Azumel looked a little like the Gran species, but had six eyes instead of only three. Their eyes came in many pigments including blue, green, or orange.

A blue-eyed Azumel named Argus Panox played Sabacc against Lando Calrissian and Han Solo on planet Vandor in the film “Solo”. Makkeer was a green-eyed Azumel who discovered the location of treasure hidden by the pirate queen Rane Mahal in the “Droid Hunters” Star Wars Adventures comic. An orange-eyed Azumel was present on a bar in Telerath in the comic “Age of the Republic: Jango Fett”.


*UPDATE: July 2020*

3 More Aliens
A few more alien species from "Solo" have received names since this article was first published. Some of the "Solo" species have also recently appeared in "The Mandalorian" Season 1.


Melbu

The Melbu species had large orange eyes. They were also easily identified by their respirator horns. Both the mouth and horns of the Melbu required gas-exchange masks when they journeyed to foreign planets. 

The Melbu species was designed by Jake Lunt Davis, who took inspiration from a sketch made by his daughter. The skin of the Melbu was based on the texture of squashes and pickles, whereas the eyes were based on amber.

Auromae Iselo was the Melbu who first appeared in "Solo" as part of the Enfys Nest Cloudrider gang. Later in his life, Iselo was part of the Bounty Hunters guild on planet Nevarro. Iselo was killed by a Mandalorian bounty hunter named Din Djarin, nine years after the Battle of Yavin.

Dyplotid

Dyplotids were recognized by their four eyes and facial hair. The species could see extreme spectrums of light including ultraviolet and infrared. 

Two Dyplotids appeared in "Solo". One was Tarubo Bunzo, a trader aboard Dryden Vos' ship "First Light". The other was Faddera Rabar, a member of the Enfys Nest Cloudrider gang. A Dyplotid who resembles Faddera Rabar appears in "The Mandalorian" on planet Nevarro, but it is uncertain if this is Faddera Rabar.


Wickwar

The Wickwar species were short and hailed from the planet of Wick 111. Their faces featured tentacles and, possibly, four eyes.

Wezellman was the Wickwar seen on planet Numidian Prime near the end of the film "Solo". It can be inferred that Wezellman the Wickwar is, in fact, played by Warwick Davis. Davis has played dozens of Star Wars characters, most of them starting with the letter W. Another Wickwar (or perhaps the same one) can be spotted on planet Nevarro in "The Mandalorian".


Star Wars Aliens


The Aliens of the Cantina

The Aliens of “The Empire Strikes Back"

The Aliens of Jabba’s Palace

The Aliens of Max Rebo’s Band

The Aliens of the Battle of Endor

Flipping Heads

The Aliens of Attack of the Clones

The Aliens of Revenge of the Sith


Aliens of Podracing

Aliens of Ralph McQuarrie


Aliens of  Rogue One

Aliens of  The Last Jedi


Aliens of  Endor

The Most Obscure Aliens of the Original Trilogy

Aliens of the Mandalorian

Bonus Aliens

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Handmaidens of "Queen's Shadow"



“Queen’s Shadow”, the recently released novel from E.K. Johnston, is as much about Padmé’s handmaidens than they are about Padmé herself. The novel gives us new insights into background characters that most people never gave a second thought.

Sabé

I will not be signing any treaty, Viceroy, because you've lost!



Sabé (born Tsabin) was Amidala’s primary decoy during the Invasion of Naboo. She was also the second most important character in the novel “Queen’s Shadow” and one could even make the argument that the title of the book refers specifically to Sabé.

After the end of Amidala’s reign, Padmé sent Sabé to Tatooine to free slaves, specifically Shmi Skywalker. Sabé, however, finds no trace of Shmi and determines that Watto has already sold her to some farmer. After Padmé’s death, Sabé changed her identity in order to investigate the mysterious events that claimed the life of her Queen.

Sabé was played by a young Keira Knightly in The Phantom Menace. I was said the Keira Knightly and Natalie Portman were so similar under costume and make-up that even Portman's mother couldn’t tell the two apart.


Eirtaé

“You could have more of an impact if you were in the Senate. You could help more planets.”



Eirtaé was Amidala’s blonde handmaiden who travelled with the Queen to Tatooine and Coruscant during the Invasion of Naboo. Eirtaé loved both art and science. 

After Amidala’s reign, Eirtaé travelled to Otoh Gunga to improve the aquaculture.

Eirtaé was portrayed by actress Friday “Liz” Wilson in the “Phantom Menace”.




Rabé

"Anakin Skywalker, to see Padmé, Your Highness."

Rabé was Amidala’s wardrobe mistress and hair stylist. Apart from than Sabé she is the only handmaiden to have lines of dialogue in “The Phantom Menace”. Rabé was also talented at reading lips and body language. 

After Amidala’s reign Rabé went on to study music at an academy in Theed.

Rabé was portrayed by Brazilian actress Cristina da Silva



Saché

“I do not envy you that position, it sounds terrifically complicated.”

Saché was Amidala’s youngest handmaiden. She did not accompany the Queen on her mission to Tatooine or Coruscant. Instead Saché was trapped in occupied Naboo where she carried messages between resistance groups. She was eventually caught and subjected to interrogation. As a result of the interrogation, Saché would carry scars on her neck, body, and arms for the rest of her life as a reminder to Naboo citizens what she sacrificed to keep them safe. After Amidala’s reign was over Saché entered the Naboo government.
 
Saché was portrayed in “The Phantom Menace” by Sofia Coppola. Sofia considered George Lucas similar to an Uncle when she was growing up and asked him if she could be the film. Sofia Coppola has since went on to direct many films including “Lost in Translation” for which she was the first women to win an Oscar for “Best Director”. Although Saché is Amidala’s youngest handmaiden in canon, Coppola was the oldest actress who portrayed a handmaiden in “The Phantom Menace”.

Yané

“The Senate takes years to get anything done! You would get more done with a good ship and connections on Tatooine itself.”



Yané was another handmaiden that had to stay behind on Naboo while Amidala fled the planet. During the invasion and its aftermath, Yané volunteered to aid the orphans of Naboo. In fact, after Amidala’s reign as queen, Yané devoted her life to this cause.

Yané was portrayed by model Candice Orwell.

Dormé

“I worry about you. What if they realize I'm not you?”

Dormé was born Dorra and underwent Captain Panaka’s handmaiden training while young, but instead of graduating with the other candidates, she went on to take further courses. When Padmé became a senator, Dorra was recruited as a handmaiden and became Dormé. Dormé served as a wardrobe mistress in place of Rabé.

Dormé was portrayed in “Attack of the Clones” by Australian actress Rose Byrne who has since appeared in several films such as “Bridesmaids”, “Juliet, Naked”, and the X-Men franchise.

Cordé

"M'lady, I'm so sorry. I've failed you, Senator."

Cordé was born Cordyn on the planet of Naboo. Though, she was a candidate for Panaka’s handmaiden training, she did not make the final cut because she was not skilled in combat. Cordyn did, however, resemble Padmé quite a bit, and when Padmé became a senator, Cordyn was recruited. It didn’t take long for Cordé to learn Padme’s mannerisms and copy her movements. She served as an excellent decoy for many years, until a bounty hunter named Zam Wessel bombed Padmé’s shuttle. Cordé, who was dressed as Padmé at the time, sadly lost her life in the explosion.

Cordé was portrayed by Mexican actress Veronica Segura who has appeared in many Mexican films and television series since “Attack Of The Clones”


Versé

“I’m not entirely sure he’s thinking politically”

After agreeing to serve on the Senate, Mariek Panaka suggested that her niece, Versaat, might be right for a handmaiden. Versaat was a talented slicer and changed her name to Versé to honor Padme’s former role as queen. Versé lost her life when the bounty hunter Zam Wesell bombed Padme’s shuttle.

Versé was portrayed by Avril Wynne who has performed stunts in many films including the Matrix franchise and “Mad Max: Fury Road”.