Greetings fellow Star Wars fans from around the world. Today’s editorial is about a Top 12 List involving Star Wars characters who definitely need a spin-off. I’ve decided to handpick my personal list of characters who deserve movie whether it’s an origin story, follow up, or a team up with one character sharing equal screen time.
The highly anticipated “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker” is slated to come out this December. To get everybody geared up, I’d like to share my Top 12 List Of Star Wars Characters Who Need A Spin-Off. Why Top 12? Because I want to prevent an extra number from causing any bad luck.
Top 12 Characters
12. Ben Qaudinaros
If you recall watching the pod racing scene from “The Phantom Menace,” this mopey lookin’ creature is a racer who participated in the same racing event alongside Anakin & Sebullba. As the racers proceed to drive their way in an attempt to win the grand prize, Ben had a difficult time trying to start his engines. He threw a fit hitting the monitor. Suddenly… his podracer literally flew like a balloon losing air uncontrollably. Due to a mishap, he lost. Despite a setback, he eventually moved on to participate in various races.
I’m interested in a spin-off movie about this underrated character headlining his own movie or television series as the main protagonist. If Lucasfilm & Disney can come up with a story focusing on Ben, he can be a washed up racer struggling to pay off a huge debt from a gangster. Ben gets a second chance when a group of robbers recruit him as a getaway driver. If he accepts and all goes well, he’ll pay off his massive debt.
I want his movie as a cross between “The Italian Job” meets “Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby.” The tone can be lighthearted with laugh out loud moments depicted in a sci-do action sports crime comedy. Ben needs an actor to portray him, my three picks are Josh Gad, Keir Gilchrist & Alec Baldwin.
Ben appeared as a playable character in video games including “Star Wars Episode I: Racer” & “Star Wars Racer Revenge.” Like every character in the Star Wars series, he also had his own action figure. I would definitely pay my money to see “Quadinaros: A Star Wars Story.”
11. Cad Bane
For those who are not familiar with this character, Cad Bane made his debut in The Clone Wars hired by Separatists to organize a hostage crisis in order to persuade Palpatine to release Ziro The Hutt (who’s Jabba’s uncle) from prison. Cad is a prominent in The Clone Wars, he frequently encountered Jedi interfering with his criminal activities.
I can picture a space western when he Boba Fett team up to hunt for a dangerous criminal like a rouge Jedi or Sith Lord worth a hefty price, but it’ll take a lot of skill and gadgets to hunt down one individual with force powers. Cad and his crew of bounty hunters taught Boba the ways of hunting down prey as depicted in The Clone Wars.
10. Boba Fett
Speaking of bounty hunting, Boba Fett is a fan favorite of the series since he made his debut in that god awful “Star Wars Holiday Special.” A strong silent type, Boba immediately became a cult classic, due to his mysterious background and cool looking armor. He only made two appearances in The Original Trilogy. His backstory was revealed in Attack Of The Clones as a clone of Jango Fett. After his father’s death from the hands of Mace Windu, Boba took over Jango’s legacy as a Bounty Hunter.
Boba is overdue for a potential spin-off film. At one point, James Mangold was set to direct Boba Fett, until Disney & Lucasfilm pulled the plug. If they want to resurrect the project, I’d be happy to finally see Boba front and center, he deserves his own movie or television series. Remember what I said about Cad Bane teaming up with Boba? I can definitely picture a team up film with the duo.
9. Kit Fisto
Anybody remember the part from Attack Of The Clones when C-3PO (who’s head was attached to a battle droid) was force pushed by a smiling green squid? Kit Fisto is actually a member of The Jedi Council partaking in The Clone Wars. His role was expanded in the animated Clone Wars show aiding clone troopers in combat, especially a battle with General Grievous.
I think Kit is an underrated character. He’s described as a combination of Aquaman & Green Lantern rolled in one. A spin-off centering around him and Plo Koon can be told in a buddy-cop type film similar to “Lethal Weapon” as they track down Ahsoka Tano’s parents’ killer as a proper tie-in The Clone Wars series when Plo first discovered Ahsoka at a very young age.
8. Count Dooku
A prominent figure of The Separatists, Count Dooku was a former Jedi who was also Qui-Gon Jin’s teacher prior to becoming a Sith Lord. Dooku turned to The Dark Side, believing The Jedi are corrupted by The Galactic Republic. Besides leading Battle Droids, he recruited Ventress as his apprentice to do all the dirty work for him. Like Palpatine, Dooku is a strategist organizing missions to his colleagues.
I’m curious to see a movie about a young Dooku training Qui-Gon and turns to The Dark Side when he discovers a dark secret from The Jedi Council. The only actor for to portray young Dooku is Benedict Cumberbatch. He’s known for playing a hero and villain in movies including, “The Hobbit Trilogy,” “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” “Dr. Strange” & “The Grinch.”
Dooku’s film should be told as a conspiracy thriller influenced by political mystery thrillers such as “All The President’s Men,” “JFK” & “Enemy Of The State.”
7. The Max Rebo Band
Hear me out fellas, we’ve seen our favorite heroes & villains fighting for control of the galaxy. I got one question, is it time for the Star Wars franchise to have a breather? For me I would say yes, under one condition, make a spin-off about The Max Rebo Band. They’re the band from Jabba’s Palace depicted in Return Of The Jedi. The band is led by a blue elephant named, Max. Known for their songs “Lapti Nek” played in the original version of Return Of The Jedi, “Jedi Rocks” in the 1997 re-release of the film & “Galactic Dance Blast” played in both versions.
I’m very interested in a movie about Max & his bandmates. Now that Disney currently owns the rights to the Star Wars franchise, I’d like to see a different take of the series as a lighthearted musical involving the band’s tour prior to attending Jabba The Hutt palace leading up to Return Of The Jedi. The Muppets can sing and dance, how about Max Rebo?
6. Jabba The Hutt
Back to the nitty gritty, we all know Jabba The Hutt is a gelatinous slob yet powerful mob boss, he’s one of the franchise’s iconic villains overdue for a potential stand-alone movie. Notorious for his morbidly obese appearance, Jabba is actually a mobster willing to hire dangerous criminals for profit to expand his base. He strong ties to The Galactic Republic, The Separatists, Bounty Hunters & The Empire. Combine all of the organizations and you have one of the movie powerful criminals in the galaxy.
If Disney & Lucasfilm green-lit a movie, perhaps an origin story focusing on Jabba’s rise to power building an organized crime, recruiting up-and-coming thieves as made men, taking control of Tatooine’s black market & forming a bond with his right hand man, Bib Fortuna. The movie can be like notable mob films such as “The Godfather,” “Goodfellas” & “The Departed.” If a movie is scrapped, maybe a television series on Disney+ think of it as “The Sopranos” set in the Star Wars universe. I can handle a movie with subtitles or a droid to help him translate English.
If an origin story is rejected, maybe he can mentor his son Rotta to take over the family business, much like Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather passing the torch to his youngest son, Michael. Please Disney & Lucasfilm, make this a dream come true!
5. Emperor Palpatine
We’re all familiar with Emperor Palpatine’s rise to power from The Prequel Trilogy, Palpatine is obviously one of the best villains in cinematic history besides Darth Vader. His backstory is yet to be told visually. The closest thing is when he tells Anakin about Darth Plageuis from the opera house scene from “Revenge Of The Sith.” He never said he was Plageuis’ apprentice, giving us fans a subtle clue he was the one who killed his master. You can tell Palpatine is a calculative chessmaster using his apprentices as pawns.
I’m willing to accept a spin-off origin story surrounding Palpatine early years as Plageuis’s apprentice who taught him to manifest his abilities prior to betraying his master. I very curious to witness the mythology of The Dark Side never told on the silver screen. There’s gotta be somebody to portray young Palpatine.
As you may know Ian McDiarmid has officially reprised his role as Emperor Palpatine in the upcoming final installment of “The Skywalker Saga” known as, “The Rise Of Skywalker.”
4. Yoda
Arguably the most powerful Jedi, this green little old man taught numerous Jedi lightsaber combat, using The Force to lift objects, improved reflexes, discipline, patience and most important, “Size Does Not Matter.” Yoda has been through a lot over the course of eight centuries fighting enemies, teaching Jedi for many generations and trying to maintain peace across the galaxy in stable condition.
Yoda has been depicted in films, video games, television among many other appearances. I think it’s time for the beloved Jedi master to get his own movie. Maybe an origin story set hundreds of years before he became the official leader of The Jedi Council. A young Yoda movie can show us fans how he become a powerful Jedi. It’s gonna be very challenging for Disney & Lucasfilm to craft a storyline. If Frank Oz is interested in headlining the film, perhaps he can direct it.
The style of a Yoda movie can be inspired by martial arts films such as “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” “Drunken Master,” “Fists Of Fury” & “Enter The Dragon.” Yoda is similar to Bruce Lee. Both are agile, taught their students patience, understanding the nature of fighting styles, and are philosophical.
3. Admiral Ackbar
A pivotal member of The Rebel Alliance, Admiral Ackbar participated in The Battle Of Endor to destroy The Second Death Star with the help of Lando. He also supported The Galactic Republic prior to Palpatine reestablishing The Republic as The Empire. Ackbar is known for his quote, “IT’S A TRAP!”
Similar to Boba Fett, Ackbar is overdue for a potential spin-off. In the expanded universe, he was once a slave, I want to see a movie about him escaping from captivity as he attempts an escape plan banding a large group of slaves to rebel against stormtroopers. Come on Disney & Lucasfilm, he definitely needs to get his own movie.
2. Ahsoka Tano
Since her debut in the animated Clone Wars film, Ahsoka served as Anakin’s padawan throughout the series. As the show progresses, Ahsoka eventually matured into respected padawan acting less arrogant, learning valuable lessons from her allies, willing to risk her life partaking in The Clone Wars & respecting her peers. Ashoka gained positive reception from critics and fans based on her backstory, fighting skills, Character Development & Ashley Eckstein’s voiceover performance. Ahsoka is also one of my favorite Star Wars characters.
In addition to Character Development, her background is similar Bruce Wayne. Both lost their parents, raised by a wise father figure, trained by a mentor who later became a villain, left an organization after learning the true nature of their agenda & managed to balance between light and dark. Ahsoka’s allies are similar to Batman’s comrades. For example, Captain Rex is kinda similar to Nightwing, due to a blue highlight.
Disney & Lucasfilm are considering a possibility of making a live action Ahsoka spin-off movie. Rosario Dawson is the most requested actress to portray the character. Brie Larson is also a suitable candidate. If Rosario & Brie aren’t available, I’d like to see Alicia Vikander, Tessa Thompson or Evan Rachel Wood portraying her in live action form.
I’m interested in seeing an Ahsoka film set before she met Ezra from “Star Wars: Rebels” during her solo career to evade The Empire. Maybe a team up movie with Sabine Wren set after Return Of The Jedi. I think Ahsoka’s movie should be influenced by Christopher Nolan’s work as a mind bending superhero film described as “Inception” meets “The Dark Knight Trilogy.”
Honorable Mentions
Jango Fett
Plo Koon
Captain Rex
Greedo
Nute Gunray
Ventress
Dishonorable Mentions
Jar Jar Binks
Rose Tico
1. Darth Maul
I’m sorry, we’re you expecting Admiral Thrawn? Darth Maul is my favorite Sith Lord of all time. When I first saw him in The Phantom Menace, I immediately became fascinated about his characteristics. Ray Park did a fantastic job for his performance as the best part of the film. I used to own an action figure of Maul and his lightsaber, recreating his battle with Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan while listening to “Duel Of The Fates.” Maul’s presence sparked a resurgence when he made appearances in The Clone Wars. He has a brother named, Savage Oppress, who helped him to seek revenge against Obi-Wan. Maul later fought Obi-Wan in Star Wars: Rebels.
Here’s a variety of reasons he needs his own solo movie. I want to witness his origin story on how he became Darth Sidious’ apprentice, enduring vigorous training without breaking a sweat, building his first ever double bladed lightsaber, embarking on his first mission without a back-up plan & has to fight a Jedi Knight equally matching Maul’s abilities, thus raising the stakes higher. In the expanded universe, he runs a crime syndicate.
Ray Park has to reprise his role as Maul as long as he doesn’t break a sweat. If a spin-off is green-lit, I’ll be the first in line to see it.
That’s all I got for my Top 12 List. You ready to see The Rise Of Skywalker?
Nickthemoviecritic.com 