The Road to Episode Infinity: 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

http://roadto7.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-aliens-of-cantina_1.html

The Aliens of “The Empire Strikes Back"

http://roadto7.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-aliens-of-empire-strikes-back-what.html

The Aliens of Jabba’s Palace

http://roadto7.blogspot.com/2018/07/aliens-of-jabbas-palace.html

The Aliens of Max Rebo’s Band

http://roadto7.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-aliens-of-max-rebos-band.html

The Aliens of the Battle of Endor

http://roadto7.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-aliens-of-battle-of-endor.html

Flipping Heads