Star Wars Insider #195

until we’d built it to go in there
and program things. Thanks to
pre-visualization technology, we’ve
been able to actually experience it
with a VR headset on, to work it
out and program all of this stuff in
advance. For example, we might
ask, “Does it make sense to blow
out that hole in the wall before this
gunfire happens, and before this

character says this line?” Getting all
of that choreography done in VR
in advance has allowed us to pack
more stuff in and have enough
time to choreograph it perfectly
for our guests.”
And while all of the bells and
whistles are impressive, Larena
says the ultimate goal is to give
guests repeated experiences that
are forever illuminating. “A big
takeaway for me has always been
Pirates of the Caribbean,” he says
of the classic Disneyland attraction.
“It’s been around for quite a while.
People still love to ride it, and every
time I’ve ridden it, there’s always
at least one thing that I’ve never
noticed before. There are so many
elements in Pirates, and that’s
in that hangar bay, it’s always been the Star Destroyer, and how big 04 Two AT-ATs part of its allure. So, it was really
a dream of mine.” the room containing the AT-AT make their important for us to make Rise of
intimidating
From this point, Rise of the walkers is.” presence felt. the Resistance just as rich, with so
Resistance morphs into something many details in the sets, and in the
else again, moving away from Virtually Real 05 Rise of the dialogue and the special effects.
Resistance
the Resistance recruits traveling Another secret weapon for Rise takes guests There are so many things to see,
independently on foot and entering of the Resistance has been the into space on you will have to ride this again and
a dangerous
the second ride system portion of integration of virtual reality again and again. You’ll always be
mission.
the experience, which operates (VR) into the development picking up certain nuances of what
using a unique trackless system. and timing of the fi nal 06 There are happened. And depending on what
several story
“These are the fi rst trackless experience. “This attraction segments side of the vehicle you’re on, you’ll
vehicles to be so low to the ground, has an unprecedented amount during the go, ‘Oh wow, I never noticed that
experience .
and that’s a really big deal,” of triggered effects, triggered we were orbiting over this planet
Larena explains. “Up until now, animation, triggered media,” 07 Trackless and you can see it out the window
our trackless systems were built Larena discloses. “There are vehicles below you,’ or ‘I never noticed that
whizz guests
pretty high off the ground. So, so many things happening ship spiraled out of control and hit
through the
there’s this detachment of scale in every scene, and they’re adventure. that ship, which hit that ship, and
because you’re so much higher up. happening in quick succession. created this whole chain reaction.’”
You can’t imagine that you could In the past, we would have gone Larena says the greatest reward
ever mimic whizzing down the into these scenes and worked out is seeing the expressions on the
hallways of a Star Destroyer if your the timing while we’re in the scene. faces of guests after they fi nish their
vehicle puts your head 8 feet high. At most, there would be about fi ve Rise of the Resistance experience.
Nothing’s going to scale out right. to ten things to time in total.” “People are just blown away,” he
But, having a vehicle so low to the In contrast, Rise of the enthuses. “When I see their jaws
ground, like a go-kart almost, your Resistance has around thirty-fi ve drop in person, it feels really good.
feet are literally nine inches above to forty different events that have It’s just a wonderful feeling to see

the floor. That allowed us to bring to happen in quick succession that look in people’s eyes when
the scale, very, very close to reality during some sequences. “There’d they exit the attraction. That’s
of how big these corridors are on be no way that we could wait exactly the look I’m looking for.”




STAR WARS INSIDER / 51

COMICS: DOCTOR APHRA
























GOING








GREEN









THE GREEDO




STORY




































52 / STAR WARS INSIDER

GOING GREEN
























For Han Solo, bounty ndirectly, Paul
Blake has the
hunter Greedo was I casting director
little more than on a Christmas
special of classic
an unwelcome British childrens’
distraction during television series Jackanory to
thank for his role as Greedo in
a stop-off in the Star Wars: A New Hope (1977).

infamous Mos Eisley Performing alongside him was an
Cantina. But for Star actor who would soon become
internationally famous for playing
Wars fans the ill-fated C-3PO—actor Anthony Daniels. and there was nobody there apart
showdown cemented “Tony was playing a prince from this guy in the far corner, so
and I was playing a hunchbacked I went up to him and said, ‘My
the Rodian’s place in minstrel,” recalls Blake. “A week name’s Paul. You couldn’t get me a

the saga’s galactic after we’d finished, he rang me at cup of coffee, could you? I’ve just
home and said, ‘I’m doing this sci-fi come from London and I haven’t
fi rmament. film and the director’s asked me if I had any breakfast or anything.’ He

Insider recently know of any other character-actors went off, got me a cup of coffee
who are around who could do a and handed it to me. I asked him,
caught up with the bit in it. Would you be interested?’ ‘Do you know anything about
two actors who Like every other young actor of the the movie they’re shooting here?
time I was desperate for work, so I’m here to see somebody called
originally played him: I said, ‘Yeah, if I’m being paid, I’ll Geoffrey or George something,’ and
Paul Blake and Maria be there.’” he said, ‘I’m George Lucas.’
De Aragon. Blake turned up a week later at “That was my fi rst introduction
Elstree Studios and walked onto an to George, and for some reason he
all-but empty set. “It wasn’t a set at still gave me the job!”
all really, it was a soundstage with
I N T E R V I E W S :
M A R K N E W B O L D & a lot of sand and arc lights,” he Going Somewhere, Solo?
PAT J A N K I E W I C Z says. “It was early in the morning Three weeks later, Blake received a
copy of the script in the mail and
took a look to see how much he
was in it, “Like every actor does
when you get a few scenes!” he
laughs. “I read it and didn’t think
much more about it until about
a month later. Incidentally, I’ve
still got that script to this day. It’s
somewhere up in the attic.”
The actor was called down to
the movie’s wardrobe department
at Elstree where make-up artists




STAR WARS INSIDER / 53

GOING GREEN



“I thought all my bits would be the ones

that I did with the original Jabba the Hutt.”
Paul Blake



Stuart and Kay Freeborn took a 01
life mask. “In those days they
put plaster of Paris on your face
at the front and the back, which

solidified and formed the shape of
your head,” says Blake, explaining
the process. “Then they put the
halves together and poured in some
Indian rubber solution which,
when it set, formed the basic shape
of your head that fi nished below
the neck. Then Stuart, as he did
for all those other creatures in the
cantina, had to come up with yet
another alien.”
Greedo’s cantina appearance

wasn’t actually his first to be fi lmed,
as Blake was required to play the
Rodian on the Docking Bay 94 set,
in the scene featuring Jabba the
Hutt, which only became part of A
New Hope when the special edition
was released, two decades later. Then, after George cut those scenes, the actor decided to ask his director
“I thought all my bits would all that was left was the one I’d for some guidance. “Because I was
be the ones that I did with the done with Harrison Ford, which I such an earnest young actor, I went

original Jabba the Hutt, Declan think we filmed late on a Friday. I up to George on the first day of

Mulholland,” says Blake. “I had two know the crew wanted to get home, shooting,” smiles Blake. “I said,
or three scenes with Declan and Sir absolutely annoyed they had to do ‘George, how do you want me to
Alec Guinness, before we shot the this scene that had taken all day to play this alien, because there’s lots
cantina scene. I didn’t really pay set up.” of ways to do it.’ And he looked at

too much attention to it because Blake filmed his scenes before me for about a minute and said,
I thought I’d be in the other bits. the character even had a name, and ‘Play it like they do in the movies.’
Which was, of course, the best
advice anyone could possibly get!”
02
Unlucky Greedo
With numerous edits over the
years, determining whether Solo

or Greedo shot first has become
something of a talking point
among fans. What may surprise
people is that not everything was
decided even when the scene was
originally, ahem, shot.
“They didn’t have any idea
how they were going to kill me
off, and neither did George until
Peter Diamond, the special effects
chap, said, ‘Why don’t we do
the scene up to the point where
Paul is shot by Harrison and put
a dummy in Paul’s seat, and fi ll it




54 / STAR WARS INSIDER

GOING GREEN













































03


with explosives. We’ll blow the 01 Paul Blake’s Having completed his scenes,
first scene on “We all thought
dummy up, take the costume Blake left the studio and continued
set as Greedo
off the dummy, and put it back ended up on his career, oblivious to the huge that would be the
on Paul so he can do the shot the cutting sensation that Star Wars would
room floor.
where he dies. So that’s exactly become. “I never thought anything last we’d see of
what we did, but of course they 02 Blake is more about it,” he admits. “As soon
nearly blew up half the set!” helped into as we’d finished, we couldn’t wait any of it. No one had

his Greedo
After the set was gloves and to leave and get on to the next job, any expectations.”
reconstructed, a second take mask for his because we all thought that would
first scene.
was filmed—as quickly as be the last we’d see of any of it. No Paul Blake

possible, as the crew were eager 03 Rehearsing one had any expectations.”

to finish for the day. “Eventually the infamous However, Greedo’s story was
face-off
we redid the shot, and they far from over, as Lucas eventually reshoots, a local U.S. actor was
between
immediately ripped the costume Greedo decided to reshoot some of the sought to don the costume for the
off the dummy, brushed it (Blake) and Rodian’s close ups later at Industrial additional shots at ILM’s studio,
Han Solo
with incense—which stank to (Harrison Light & Magic in California. “My and American actor Maria De
high heaven—and pumped it Ford) mask wasn’t animatronic,” explains Aragon was cast.
around the set to make it look Blake. “It was solid, very rigid, and De Aragon made her name
like smoke,” Blake remembers. the ears didn’t rotate or anything appearing in a string of action-
“Then they poured a bit of acid like that. They didn’t shoot any packed B-movies that saw her play
on the back of the costume and close-ups of it with me because it everything from a kick-ass femme
put me back into it while it was wouldn’t move, so I was mostly in fatale saving the Earth from alien
still smoking with all this stuff. the long shots.” invaders in The Cremators (1972)
Because the costume was still on fi re to the kung-fu heroine of cult
I just slumped forward and died. I Greedo Take Two movie Wonder Women (1973).
couldn’t wait to get out of it!” With Blake unavailable for the However, when she accepted a


STAR WARS INSIDER / 55

GOING GREEN



04














































small role in A New Hope, little did actor reveals. “Anthony Daniels “They said: ‘Good news—
she realize the ardent following it was going to be unavailable for
would earn her. some pickup shots, so they needed we have you in mind for
“As an actress, I would ask the someone to stand in for him
good Lord to help me get a part in during second unit fi lming. After your very own monster!’”

a film of some importance,” she I interviewed for the C-3PO fi ll-in Maria De Aragon
admits, before adding with a giggle, job, they showed me some of his
“Of course, when that did happen, mannerisms so I could match them
I was wearing an insect alien mask if needed.”
and costume.” She’s also happy to However, it was at that point keep me posted if they needed me
admit that it was pure luck that that fate intervened, in the form of in the future.”
brought the role to her. a horrific car crash that shocked the Thankfully, Hamill recovered

“When they were fi lming A entire production to its core.  from his injuries fully and the
New Hope, I was a working actress, situation eventually worked out
trying to join the Screen Actors Greedo Take Two for everybody. De Aragon got
Guild,” she explains. “My friend “I was ready to film, but then Mark the news she had been hoping

George E. Mather was working for Hamill had a car accident,” De for. “I suddenly got a call from
Industrial Light & Magic, and he Aragon remembers. “It was early production,” she shares. “They
thought there was something for in the morning—about 6 a.m. We said: ‘Good news—we have you
me in Star Wars. He thought I was were supposed to go shoot pickup in mind for your very own
the right size for a creature or robot. shots in the desert as the call came character! If you come on in,

“They didn’t approach me for about Mark being badly injured we’ll outfit you.’ I was very excited
Greedo—originally, I was supposed in the car crash. Shooting was to hear that, and that’s how I
to do something as C-3PO,” the canceled. They told me they would became Greedo.”




56 / STAR WARS INSIDER

GOING GREEN


05 06
04 George Lucas
adds gloop
to Greedo’s
snout during
reshoots.
05 The original
Greedo mask
and hands.
06 The lenses
were the
final element
of the Greedo
makeup to
be applied.
07 Greedo is
prepared
for the
camera
on the
Mos Eisley
Cantina set.










Since the original round of
filming, makeup artists Rick Baker

and Rob Bottin had found a way
to further articulate Greedo’s head
and make it more expressive, with a
moving mouth and antenna. “That
mask was really interesting,” the
actress recalls.  “But I didn’t do his
voice because he wasn’t supposed
to be female. They had a weird,
alien voice planned for him.”
However, once on set, it wasn’t
all plain sailing. Filming her scenes 07
with just a small crew, the FX team
and George Lucas, the actor found
herself challenged in a way she had real trouble. There’s a famous shot “I liked Greedo. He
never expected when she ran into of George with me in the Greedo
difficulties in the suit. mask, but you can see I’m wearing was misunderstood!”

“Mr. Lucas actually helped pink pumps!” De Aragon laughs
me when I had trouble,” she as she recalls, “George liked the Maria De Aragon
reveals. “Something happened hand gestures I was making when I
while I was wearing the Greedo was in trouble, so he had me keep
suit. The mask was ever so tight doing them!”  the world, say to me, ‘I had your
around my neck and throat, and it Despite the brevity of her tenure action figure!’ It is incredible to

was hard to breathe. They wanted on the film, the actress looks back think that you’re immortalised in

me to do the dialogue and, at on her Star Wars moment with plastic forever,” laughs Paul Blake,
the same time, breathe through a great fondness. “It was fun,” she who shares De Aragon’s fondness
straw. At one point, there wasn’t says with a smile. “I have a Greedo for the character. “I’ve been very
enough air coming through and action figure in my house, and it’s lucky. I’ve had a great career, been

I started gasping for breath and a nice reminder of my Star Wars in many plays in the West End,
making gestures. George Lucas saw experience. I liked Greedo. He was worked all over the world, but on
what was happening and sent a misunderstood!” my tombstone it will read ‘Here lies
prop man over to get me an oxygen “Everybody I meet, all over Greedo. He shot first,’ but on the

tank. For a moment there, I was in the United States and around back it will say ‘Or did he..?’



STAR WARS INSIDER / 57

The Clone Wars
pitted Jedi Knights
and clone troopers against
Count Dooku’s clanking droid
army. Test your knowledge of
the heroes and villains who
participated in the epic struggle
that ended with the creation
of the Galactic Empire.
Compiled by Jay Stobie



“FOR EVERYTHING YOU GAIN, YOU LOSE SOMETHING ELSE.”

Folllow thee war’s devastating effectss as batttles rage accross the galaxyy and heroees emergge on bothh sides.
i
th
a
ev
r
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE SEPARATISTS AND THE SECRETIVE SITH THE JEDI MASTERS AND
THE REPUBLIC THEIR PADAWANS
1: Who forged a special bond 6: Which ship did Admiral 11: Which Jedi Master fi rst
with clones Trench command as part of brought a young Ahsoka
Waxer and the Separatist blockade in Tano to Coruscant to begin
Boil in “Cat and Mouse?” her Jedi training?
“Innocents A/ Invincible A/ Qui-Gon Jinn
of Ryloth?” B/ Malevolence B/ Plo Koon
A/ Shaak Ti C/ Resolute C/ Anakin Skywalker
B/ Hera D/ Valiant D/ Mace Windu
C/ Numa 8: Who betrayed the Republic
D/ Aayla during the Umbaran campaign? 12: Who
A/ Captain Tarkin attempted to
2: Which legion did clone B/ General Krell kill Ahsoka
Captain Rex serve in? C/ Admiral Yularen Tano and
A/ 41st D/ Commander Cody several
B/ 212th younglings in
C/ 501st 9: General Grievous maintained “Wookiee Hunt?”
D/ 607th his personal stronghold on a A/ Aurra Sing
moon orbiting which planet? B/ Trandoshans
3: Where did a small group A/ Sullust C/ Boba Fett
of clones valiantly defend B/ Mustafar D/ Mandalorians
an outpost in “Rookies?” C/ Devaron
A/ The oceans of Kamino D/ Vassek 13: Obi-Wan Kenobi faked his
B/ The forest moon of Endor 7: Count Dooku’s apprentices, own death so that he could
C/ Ord Plutonia Asajj Ventress and Savage 10: Even as the war continued, go undercover as which
D/ The Rishi moon Opress, both hailed from who did Senator Mina Bonteri bounty hunter?
which planet? remain friends with? A/ Rako Hardeen
4: Who acted as a source of A/ Geonosis A/ Obi-Wan Kenobi B/ Cad Bane
inspiration for B/ Coruscant B/ Anakin Skywalker C/ Bossk
the clones C/ Christophsis C/ Padmé Amidala D/ Moralo Eval
on Kamino D/ Dathomir D/ Ahsoka Tano
in “ARC 14: Who took part in the
Troopers?” attack on the Jedi Temple
A/ Clone 00 in “Sabotage?”
B/ Clone 66 A/ Luminara Unduli
C/ Clone 99 B/ Kit Fisto
D/ Clone 100 C/ Barriss Offee
D/ Nahdar Vebb
5: Which clone commander
assisted Luminara Unduli 15: On which planet does
aboard the Tranquility in Anakin receive visions of his
“Cloak of Darkness?” dark future?
A/ Cody A/ Mortis
B/ Gree B/ Dagobah
C/ Wolffe C/ Naboo
D/ Bly D/ Tatooine




58 / STAR WARS INSIDER

“TRUTH CAN STRIKE DOWN THE SPECTER OF FEAR.”
m
v
w
t
Reccall whiich faan-favorite ccharacterss from The Cloone WWars sppoke thesee memorablle lines:
h
1.
“THE PRICE FOR JUST ONE WOULD
MAKE A MAN RICH... AND WE ALL KNOW
HOW MUCH I LIKE TO BE RICH.”




2. 3.
“WELL, THIS IS A FINE “If we try to take
MESS YOU ‘MECHS Mandalore by force, our

GOT US INTO.” people will turn against us.”




“I WAS SET UP AND DECEIVED, AS
4.

YOU ARE BEING DECEIVED NOW!”





5.
“We are brothers. The true Lords of the Sith.”



“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM.”
o
u
u
n
Identifyy theese leaders whoo diligentlyy guidedd theiir followers throughout the war:
e
l
1. 2. 3. 4.





















HAVE YOU PAID ATTENTION TO THE LESSONS TAUGHT
Satine, 3 Master Yoda, 4 Senator Amidala.
THROUGHOUT THE CLONE WARS?
“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM. ” 1 Senator Farr, 2 Duchess
0-9 A failure in planning is a plan for failure, so try to plan better next time.
3 Pre Vizsla, 4 Ahsoka Tano, 5 Darth Maul.
10-19 Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Not bad, but keep studying.
“TRUTH CAN STRIKE DOWN THE SPECTER OF FEAR. ” 1 Hondo Ohnaka, 2 Colonel Gascon,
20-24 Courage begins by trusting oneself, and so does knowledge. Well done!
QUIZ 1 C, 2 C, 3 D, 4 C, 5 B, 6 A, 7 D, 8 B, 9 D, 10 C, 11 B, 12 B, 13 A, 14 C, 15 A.
STAR WARS INSIDER / 59

ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS


































































Enfys Nest and




the Cloud-Riders



Who was the young woman masquerading as a
criminal marauder, and what was she fi ghting for?
Insider investigates the life of Enfys Nest, as revealed
in Solo: A Star Wars Story and beyond.

W O R D S : M E G A N C R O U S E

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ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS







































efore the Galactic Civil War, against greedy, power-hungry people like Dryden
B the Rebellion was scattered Vos, who destroyed the lives and livelihoods of
underground. Most rebels
the people of Savareen, and had no interest in
explaining her motivations to the smugglers who
didn’t know a wider anti-
Imperial network existed. she saw as trying to steal from her. Only when it
Some people who might later became advantageous for her to work with Han
have called themselves rebels looked more like did she reveal anything, and then purely because
scoundrels, stealing from the rich and giving to she had the upper hand.
the downtrodden. Nest also wanted to carry on the legacy begun
It was into this time of by her mother, who led the
chaos that Enfys Nest appeared. Cloud-Riders before her. While
Inheriting her helmet and Enfys Nest wants details surrounding Enfys
armor from her mother, she to strike not Nest’s mother’s life were largely
also inherited a leadership role unknown, one fact seemed to
in the Cloud-Riders, a band against the ring true: she defi nitely instilled
of freedom fighters who lived Empire directly, in her daughter a desire to

in the shadows at the edge of fight. Nest also had a score

but against those
society. In Solo: A Star Wars to settle. Her homeworld was
Story (2018), the Cloud-Riders terrorized by many criminal
were introduced trying to take who would live by organizations, including
down the criminal organization dark principles in Crimson Dawn.
Crimson Dawn. Their battle for Nest’s armor was both a
valuable fuel coaxium brought the underworld. practical necessity and a symbol
them into both confl ict and of her cause. Keenly aware of
uneasy alliance with Han Solo how her young age was likely to
and Lando Calrissian. Nest’s role in Solo helped to make enemies underestimate her or move swiftly
illustrate how Han learned not to trust easily, and against her, she completely obscured her identity
was one of his early experiences with someone behind her mask. A vocoder box disguised her
actively fighting against greed and corruption. voice, making it hard for anyone to ascertain her

Enfys Nest wanted to strike not against the age, gender, or appearance.
Empire directly, but against those who would live One of the most striking, but also easiest to
by dark principles in the underworld. She fought miss, elements of Nest’s armor was the poetry





STAR WARS INSIDER / 61

ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS



01 have to go through Nest’s true
her electroripper staff
motivations
first. The weapon was

strong enough
to destroy metal, and her
and more than a struggle
match for the most
deadly opponent. against
impossible
Beyond the
Last Edge: odds were
Nest’s Hidden
History things Han
Before the events
of Solo, Nest built would long
a reputation as a remember.
fearsome raider
who only attacked
powerful, guilty targets. One of her earliest
02
missions was a raid against an Imperial cache,
where she stole medical-grade spice, destined for
use in emergency kits and doctors’ packs. The
cache also included raw spice that could have
been sold for a high price on the black market.
The Cloud-Riders didn’t touch this raw spice,
leaving an Imperial agent who investigated the
incident to wonder whether the attack was meant
to support a military group with ideological
stances against selling raw spice on the black
market, such as the nascent Rebellion.
Nest and her crew lived in the shadows for
03 years, sometimes getting other people to do their
dirty work. In Solo, Tobias Beckett recognized
Enfys because of a previous confrontation. Posing
as Beckett’s employer Dryden Vos, Nest once
tricked Beckett into stealing blank identichips
from an underworld slicer for her. Once he
completed the mission, Nest took him prisoner
and demanded the identichips. This time, Nest
failed, and Beckett destroyed the contraband in
his successful escape.
While the story never told us what Nest
wanted to do with those blank chips, it’s possible
they were connected to her work for the Rebellion.
Forging Imperial identities would help rebels get
into secure facilities or learn secret information.
01 Nest wields printed across her helmet. Reading “Until we The most obvious connection between the
her deadly reach the last edge, the last opening, the last Cloud-Riders and the early Rebellion came when
electroripper staff
during the Vandor star, and can go no higher,” it illustrated her Nest met Saw Gerrera. As revealed in the Solo
conveyex heist. determination. It’s unknown whether these were novelization, Nest’s plan all along was to sell the
verses precious to her mother, or were chosen by coaxium to the rebel extremist. Gerrera’s violent
02 The Cloud-Riders
and Tobias Enfys for their meaning or their context. Ether methods didn’t line up with the wider Rebellion,
Beckett’s gang vie way, they were part of a fearsome ensemble. but he shared Nest’s goal to bring down the greedy
for posession of the
stolen coaxium. Behind the poetry her armor extended out into and cruel organizations of the galaxy.
rigid spikes. These, like the extendable fins on her Years later, Jyn Erso would be the leader of the

03 The threatening gauntlets, were made of beskar: an alloy forged team that brought the Death Star plans to the
masked visage
of Enfys Nest. by the Mandalorian people that was capable of Rebel Alliance. Erso was Saw’s ward when she and
withstanding a glancing blow from a lightsaber. Nest first met, thrown into war at an even earlier

But anything trying to get to Enfys’ armor would age than the Cloud-Rider. For her part, Enfys saw


62 / STAR WARS INSIDER

ENFY NEST AND THE CLOUD-RIDERS



something of herself in Jyn Erso—someone who
wasn’t able to have a normal, peaceful childhood.
The war stole that opportunity from both of
them. She also saw Erso as another who would be
underestimated because of her age.
While they only interacted during a brief
conversation, it was intense, and ended with
Erso telling Nest that Saw would underestimate
her, too. Jyn Erso’s advice wasn’t the only sign of
tension between Nest and Gerrera. They disagreed
on the use of the coaxium, revealing some of
Nest’s reservations about the methods she had
been forced by circumstance to support. Saw
believed he was doing the best thing to destroy
the Empire. Nest wasn’t so sure.

A Matter of Trust
One aspect of the storytelling in Solo was
to connect the young smuggler with Han’s
characterization in A New Hope. More specifi cally,
it sought to understand how Han could desert his THE CLOUD-RIDERS
friends as the rebels prepared their assault on the
Death Star, only to came back at the last minute Enfys Nest’s team was made up of a diverse group of humans and aliens, many
from worlds Nest’s gang helped liberate. Believed to have been formed by
to do the right thing and save the day. It boiled
Enfys’ mother, the Cloud-Riders differentiated themselves from other gangs
down to Han having trouble putting his trust in with their signature swoop bikes. Their home base was the starship Aerie, a
anyone other than Chewbacca—and during the carrier vessel. Also known as the marauders, they would drop from their ship
period when he encountered Enfys Nest, Solo’s on their modifi ed rides to bear down on their enemies like birds of prey.
While their work led them to act as smugglers or pirates depending on the
ability to trust anyone was tested to the absolute needs of each mission, they were not motivated by profi t alone. Enfys Nest and
breaking point. her mother ensured that the group targeted only criminals and the Empire, or
Beckett and Qi’ra both betrayed Han for those who enabled its vile domination of the galaxy.
different reasons: Qi’ra to secure power and

For her part, Nest saw financial success as a crime lord, and Beckett

something of herself to sell the coaxium and retire. From them,
Han learned to suspect anyone who appeared
in Jyn Erso—someone to be a friend. Nest, initially portrayed as an
aggressor and certainly not to be trusted, turned
who wasn’t able to out to be one of the less untrustworthy characters
have a normal, 04 Unmasked, Enfys in the movie. Surrounded by scoundrels and
desperate people since childhood, the Corellian
Nest (Erin
peaceful childhood. Kellyman) rallies had never met anyone as loyal and determined
the Cloud-Riders.
to help others as Enfys Nest. The reveal of
Nest’s true motivations and her struggle against
04 impossible odds were things Han would long
remember, and recognize in Leia and Luke
several years later.
Despite her youthful age, Nest had never been
shielded from witnessing the horrors of war fi rst-
hand. All her life, she had been among people
who believed that sometimes they had to do
violence in order to prevent further violence
down the line. But, as her conversation with Saw
showed, Nest had moral lines that she would
not cross. Like Han Solo, she grew up knowing it

was essential to fight to survive. That need had
forged her into a formidable warrior, and one
who understood that power must not be used to
oppress others, but to aid the oppressed.




STAR WARS INSIDER / 63

STAR WARS KIDS




































































Lucasfilm’s James Waugh explains how Star Wars Kids, the
online home of Star Wars content aimed at younger fans, is
bringing the saga to the next generation.


W O R D S : K R I S T I N B AV E R












64 / STAR WARS INSIDER

STAR WARS KIDS



01 Star Wars: Galaxy of
Adventures takes
01
scenes and characters
from the movies and
reanimates them for a
new generation of fans.











































he fi rst time curiosity to astonishment and then at imaginary opponents and

T Luke Skywalker unabashed joy. His blond hair is pretending to fight like a well-
gripped the hilt
trained Jedi Knight.
windswept as he’s quite literally
of his father’s
blown away by the power of the
“I think what makes Star Wars
lightsaber and Force, and he does what any kid so magical is that sense of wonder.
ignited the (or, let’s be honest, adult) would The awe and exploration,” says
blade, his destiny shifted, new do in that moment—he begins to James Waugh, Lucasfi lm’s vice
possibilities forming before his leap around, swinging the blade president for franchise content
eyes. We all know well the look and strategy. For more than a year,
of wonder on Luke’s face in Star Waugh has helped lead the charge
Wars: A New Hope as he presses “i tHnK wHt as a new generation of fans have
that button and sees the weapon begun to discover the saga through
of a Jedi come to life in his own mAeS STr Star Wars Kids, the online home
two hands. of a galaxy of kid-friendly content
But in translating the emotion WA s S MgIaL including Galaxy of Adventures,
of the scene for a new generation, iS tHt eN e the adorably stylized Roll Out
the minds behind the Star Wars shorts, and other educational
Galaxy of Adventures shorts tried oF wO dE . offerings that provide a gentle
something altogether new. In avenue for younglings to take their
the animated short, the dialogue TH Ae nD first steps into the larger world of

remains the same, but onscreen the Star Wars saga. The site aims
a young Luke’s face shifts from eX lO aToN.” to capture the emotional pull that




STAR WARS INSIDER / 65

STAR WARS KIDS



acts as the beating heart of Star between young fans and the sequel moments. Waugh notes that the
Wars storytelling and bottle it in trilogy—the adventures of Rey, series takes great pains to treat
bite-sized installments that can be Finn, Poe, and BB-8, fi ghting for even the most iconic scene without
easily understood and absorbed by justice against Kylo Ren and the spoilers, giving young viewers
viewers 12 and under. First Order—with a new run of 18 a chance to discover the twists
And although the Skywalker individual shorts set in the age and reveals for themselves when

saga is now complete on fi lm, with of the Resistance. “We’re going they watch the films later. And
y
xy
xy
xy
the epic conclusion in Star Wars: to celebrate the friendship of Poe there’s a companion series, Galaxy
y
xy
The Rise of Skywalker in theaters and Finn. We’re going to celebrate of Adventures Fun Facts, which
now, for many young fans the Leia Organa and the fact that she takes an even deeper dive into
r
r
r
e
r
r
journey is only beginning. has been a mentor to so many of lightsabers, droids, aliens and other
t
s
the heroes,” Waugh says. And, of topics new fans will surely have lots
t
s
t
s
s
s
A Whole Galaxy of course, there will be no shortage of of questions about, a crash course
Adventures bad guys, he adds, promising “lots in the imaginative creations that
The first 24 installments of of Kylo Ren.” makes Star Wars so unique.

Galaxy of Adventures focused Three of the shorts will be
on introducing classic characters focused on a planet children and Rolling Out Imagination
and essential information to little their families can visit on Earth Star Wars Kids offers children and
ones who had never seen a Star —Batuu, the home of Black Spire parents alike the chance to embrace
Wars movie. Opening with a short Outpost inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s new ways of making Star Wars their r r r r r
introducing Luke Skywalker, the Edge at Disneyland and Walt own. Waugh says the platform
moisture farmer who embraced his Disney World resorts. The themed has given creators the liberty to
destiny and his heritage to become land exists at the same point in try new things that the standard
a Jedi Master, the series went on to constraints of in-world storytelling
establish other essential original just can’t provide, with the benefi t
trilogy characters like R2-D2, “te lA fO m of real-time feedback online. “The
Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and gA e s hE freedom to experiment,” he says,
Boba Fett. But much more than an “seeing what’s working and what’s
animated character encyclopedia, fR eD m o aY not. And then integrating that into
the shorts introduced important our thought process as far as what’s
moments like the Rebellion’s lE ’S tR N w next for us.”
successful X-wing attack on the fi rst sTlE O In Star Wars Roll Out, stylistic
Death Star, enduring relationships animated versions of Rey,
like the unbreakable bond between STr aR .” Chewbacca, BB-8, and other
Chewbacca and Han Solo, and beloved characters looking very
even tackled generation-spanning similar in shape to Poe Dameron’s

conflicts like the struggle between the Star Wars timeline, nestled on one-of-a-kind orange and white
the Jedi and the Sith, an essential an Outer Rim planet that’s home droid take viewers on all-new
piece of lore for new fans seeking to smugglers and rogues peddling adventures. “I think we’re always
to understand the allure of the their wares and has only recently looking from a certain perspective:
saga. “It is a unique style and begun to see activity from the through the lens of kids,” Waugh

expression of Star Wars,” Waugh Resistance and the First Order. says. “This is definitely a younger
says, focused more on the emotions The shorts will explore the fi ction expression of Star Wars.”
the story evokes than authentically behind the park’s two attractions, The end result is pure visual
capturing an animated version of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance storytelling grounded by universal

what plays out on film. “Luke gets and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers themes, a way to ensure that
his lightsaber, turns it on, wind Run, Waugh says, from a different these shorts can reach the global
blows through his hair. It’s exciting. perspective. And the spectacle of audience that embraces the Star
Overblown. That’s not the way that Batuu itself will be introduced from Wars galaxy without being bogged
scene happened in the film. But the the special point of view of a pint- down by expansive explanation

style of the animation creates a sort sized visitor just arriving on the and dialogue.
of handshake with the viewer who planet, hoping to capture some of “The platform gave us the
accepts that it’s an exaggeration, the excitement of a child seeing the freedom to say let’s try new styles
that it’s okay it is different because park in real life for the fi rst time. of Star Wars. Let’s have fun with it
it’s about the authenticity of the Plus, with the 40th anniversary in a way that our mythic, canonical
feeling, and it’s absolutely true of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes storytelling couldn’t,” Waugh says
to the kid perspective.” Back on the horizon, there will be of the shorts. “Star Wars Kids
When the series returns in at least a few new shorts centered allowed for the opportunity for

2020, it will help bridge the gap on the film’s characters and key experimentation.”
66 / STAR WARS INSIDER

STAR WARS KIDS





02



























02 Let’s Draw
Star Wars
encourages
younglings to
express their
artistic side.
03 Star Wars
Roll Out
explores the
characters of
Star Wars in
an entirely
unique way.































03







STAR WARS INSIDER / 67

STAR WARS KIDS





04

































04 Kids with an
interest in
science and
engineering
will love
Galactic
Builders.
05 Let’s Make
Star Wars
sees two
young hosts
create a
dazzling
array of fun
Star Wars
objects.










05



















68 / STAR WARS INSIDER

STAR WARS KIDS



On Let’s Make Star Wars, kid exposition of a longer series, Star Star Wars saga. In By the Numbers,
hosts Sean and Marissa take the Wars Resistance helps to capture a super cut of moments and scenes
lead for fun and educational those imaginations and the thrill splices together everything from

craft tutorials infused with age- of living in the galaxy from the every creature in the films (90, and
appropriate jokes and puns. The relative safety of a community they’re all name-checked here) to
series, along with its sister program of neighbors cohabitating and every question Luke Skywalker asks
Let’s Draw Star Wars led by a team working together aboard a refueling (153 for the inquisitive Jedi). If you
of Industrial Light & Magic artists, platform. Focused on pilot-turned- can count it, chances are it will
puts the magic of making Star spy Kazuda Xiono and his high- get its own installment, including

Wars fi rmly in the hands of its flying friends aboard the Colossus, tracking Kaz’s screams and tumbles
youngest fans. “It’s the type of stuff the brightly colored animated show (230 total, although he yelps a lot
I love that we’re doing, especially delivers highly relatable characters more often than he falls down).
having my own kid who loves to and fast-paced starfi ghter racing, Star Wars Under Five Minutes
draw everything,” says Waugh, plus action and intrigue. Kaz may is more of a crash course for the
counting his young son among be a spy, but he’s still learning uninitiated. “Star Wars can appear
the fans. “I think every parent has the ropes and he can often be to be a daunting franchise,” Waugh
that dilemma of Sunday afternoon found bumbling through a well- admits, with nine Skywalker saga

where there’s been too much TV meaning ruse or tripping over his films, two standalone live-action
and you have to figure out what own feet. His friend Neeku takes movies, and hundreds of hours of

to do. It sparks their imagination everything literally, to a hilarious animation already out there. The
and also celebrates what they and sometimes disastrous effect. series is intended to be a welcoming
love.” Waugh hopes that fans entry point for all ages and anyone
discovering these how-to shows “t iS iS aN with a couple of minutes to spare.
will embrace how it helps teach the “For the parent or the kid who’s
oP oR uN tY
fundamentals and simple shapes just trying to get into Star Wars but
that make up the Star Wars galaxy, doesn’t know where to start, you
allowing even the youngest fans fO PrE tS tO can watch these and catch up with
to make Star Wars their own and everyone else, laugh along with it
bring it into their daily lives. It’s a iN rO uC STr and you’re in,” Waugh adds.
tangible and fun way to celebrate WA s T T eI “We want to be able to meet
the creativity that brought the kids where they are. It’s been very

fictional galaxy to life in the kI s nD fO special to be able to make this

first place, while supporting the stuff and then watch its impact,”
natural inclination toward drawing kI s o iS oV r Waugh says, especially sharing
and crafting that helps children STr aR .” the site with his young son. “He’s
understand their world. who I’m making them for as
For older viewers, Galactic much as everybody else, because
Builders pulls back the curtain even And they’re surrounded by sharply I think anybody who’s a fan of
further to explain how practical drawn characters who all have the franchise wants to share that
effects bring BB-8 to life along with their own unique perspectives— experience. This is an opportunity
other feats of Star Wars on-screen from Tam, mechanic-turned-First for parents to introduce Star Wars
engineering. The series shines a Order cadet, to Torra Doza the to their kids and for kids to discover
spotlight on real prop makers and precocious young racer, to Synara Star Wars and maybe introduce it to
toy builders as well as competitive San the mysterious pirate spy with their parents.”
kids who are rising stars in the a heart. The show is available on It’s a place of possibility, a blank
STEAM fi elds—science, technology, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and canvas for exploring the heart of
engineering, art, and mathematics. DisneyNOW, with Season One what makes Star Wars so great—
The series, made in conjunction also available on Disney+, and characters who feel as real and
with FIRST and Star Wars: Force for fans who want to know more familiar as your own friends and
for Change, acts as a guide for about how it connects to the saga family; the imagination behind
kids fascinated by Star Wars tech as a whole, Star Wars Kids offers a the strangest creatures, aliens,
and parents considering how that behind-the-scenes look, Bucket’s starships, and droids possible; and
predisposition might lead their List, with a short list of weekly fun an epic mythological underpinning
younglings to a future career path facts accompanying each episode. of good versus evil battling it out
or hobby. There are also shorts like Star in the gritty galaxy. Star Wars is
Wars By the Numbers and Star Wars for everyone. But Star Wars Kids
Joining the Resistance in Under Five Minutes, created is making the galaxy far, far away
For children and adults more by Lucasfilm’s online team to a whole lot more accessible to the

inclined toward the lengthier specifically offer a fresh take on the next generation of young fans.



STAR WARS INSIDER / 69

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WORLDWIDE






C E L E B R A T I N G T H E S A G A








































BORN INTO STAR WARS



Celebrating a fandom family tradition in a galaxy far, far away....

t turns out that the Skywalkers Jackie. “Somehow, he fell for this Fisher, who became the fi rst people
aren’t the only family with Star nerdy girl, and over the last 16 years to hear the news about the new
I Wars in their blood. At the age of he has been super supportive of my family member.
12, Jackie Cordero began using the love of the movies, events, collecting, Baby Lorenzo was born later that
saga as a means to escape from the Disney trips, Halloween costumes, year and subsequently accompanied
bullying she encountered at school. and even the decorating of our two his parents to Star Wars Celebration
“All the worlds and characters and kids’ nurseries!” Orlando in 2017. The Corderos
stories just became a place I could However, their journey to building continued their new family tradition
live in and enjoy,” she recalls. From a family was an arduous one, with in 2019, when they brought Lorenzo

consuming Star Wars novels and the couple su ering tears and and his new baby sister, Liana, to
listening to John Williams’ scores on disappointments, until the fi nal day Celebration Chicago. The event
her daily commute, to covering the of Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in provided many memories to cherish,
walls of her college dorm room with 2015, when the couple learned that including seeing their daughter’s face
posters of Han Solo, Jackie’s interest they were expecting. “We were light up as she touched a real-life R2
in the franchise quickly became ecstatic! We decided to try and unit. “It warmed my heart to share
more than a casual hobby. memorialize that moment,” reveals something I love so much with my

“My husband enjoyed the movies, Jackie. So, the pair headed o to a family and experience it together,”
but that was it for his fandom,” says photo op with Mark Hamill and Carrie Jackie beams.



72 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INSIDER NEEDS YOU!
We want to hear from you! Tell us about your
Star Wars experience. What made you want
to become a fan? What have you done in the
name of Star Wars? Tell us your Star Wars
story by sending your photos, art, and ARTISTS’ ALLEY
letters here:
[email protected]
Talented Star Wars fans share their amazing
Or via regular post:
UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM drawings inspired by the galaxy far, far away....
Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Worldwide,
Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider,
Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark
2819 Rosehall Lane, Street
Aurora, IL, 60503, London, SE1 0UP,
U.S.A. U.K.

























01. “PURGE TROOPER” AND “ZORII” BY DEVIN DOTY

Intrigued by the designs for the Imperial purge troopers and Keri Russell’s Zorii
Bliss, fan artist Devin Doty was inspired to craft vector art posters for the characters
in Adobe Illustrator, before completing her tributes by adding fi nishing touches
in Photoshop. “I’m inspired by all the character designers and concept artists at

Lucasfilm,” reveals Devin.

























02. “BOSSK” AND “TARKIN” BY FRUZSI LIPTÁK

Fruzsi Lipták masterfully utilizes Adobe Illustrator to digitally depict the Star Wars
characters that capture her imagination. The Hungarian fan ranks Bossk as her
favorite bounty hunter, whereas Tarkin’s appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars
Story (2016) proved to be a welcome surprise for the artist. Fruzsi primarily focuses
on Star Wars themes, and her work can be found on Instagram at @fruzsi.liptak.



STAR WARS INSIDER / 73

WORLDWIDE
BOUNTY HUNTERS

Scouring the galaxy for the Photo by Brad Behles
stars of Star Wars...



Meet the stars, show the evidence, win
the bounty! Bounty Hunters is sponsored
by Kotobukiya. Each issue's winner will
receive a fantastic Kotobukiya Star
Wars statue kit! To see more,
visit www.facebook.com/kotobukiya

ddison Farnsworth and her husband
James made the most of their time
A at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago,
where they met two talented actors from
the franchise.
The couple adored Hermione Corfi eld’s
portrayal of the Resistance pilot Tallissan
“Tallie” Lintra in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
(2017), so meeting her for a memorable
photo op was a joy for the Farnsworths. “It
was such a wonderful experience getting to
meet her,” Addison says, happily.
The two fans also stopped by to share a
moment with Jason Isaacs, the voice of the
Grand Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels. As
an added bonus, the couple were also
thrilled about Isaacs’ role in the series The
OA. “Jason was amazing to have a photo op
with,” says Addison. “He even had music CALLSIGN: ROGUE TWO?
playing while you were in his photo booth.
He was such a cool guy to meet in person.”
Cosplaying as Jyn Erso and Orson Krennic

01
en Markham and her husband cosplay regularly until he saw the joy
Jeremy demonstrate their that trooping with the 501st and
J affi nity for costuming and Star Rebel Legions brought to Jen.
Wars by cosplaying as Jyn Erso and So how did the couple decide on
her nemesis Director Orson Krennic. the intriguing pairing of Jyn Erso and
“I think I dressed as Princess Leia Director Krennic? “Rogue One: A Star
four times for Halloween, as both a Wars Story (2016) entranced me, not
child and a teenager,” remembers least because it was the fi rst Star
Jen. Halloween is now an important Wars movie where a woman received
holiday for the couple, and Jen has top billing,” says Jen. “I was drawn to

02 made new costumes each year after Jyn. She was a fighter and a survivor,
taking sewing and pattern-making who relied on her smarts. She was
classes in New York City. independent and bristled at authority,
While researching Rey’s attire and I could relate to her attitude.”
from Star Wars: The Force Awakens After constructing Krennic’s
(2015), Jen became enamored by the uniform for Jeremy and variations of
concept of creating screen-accurate Jyn Erso’s wardrobe from Rogue One,
ensembles. “I enjoyed solving the the couple have discovered that the
mysteries of what the actual costume best part about their hard work is
design team might have used, and meeting fellow cosplayers and fans.
hunting those items down,” says the “I’ve met so many little girls who are
01 James and Addison Farnsworth pose with talented fan. The costumer estimates so excited to meet Jyn,” exclaims Jen.
Hermione Corfield, known for her role as Tallie that she put together 13 costumes “And Jeremy loves talking to kids as
Lintra in The Last Jedi.
within the first year, and even learned Krennic as well, explaining how he

02 Jason Isaacs, who voiced the Grand Inquisitor in
Star Wars Rebels, joins the couple for a photo at about 3D modeling, leather working, built the Death Star and why learning
Celebration Chicago. and building armor. Jeremy didn’t science and math is so important!”


74 / STAR WARS INSIDER

WORLDWIDE



PARADING

WITH POE


Building Dameron’s X-wing

ason Isaac believed that his
hometown’s annual parade was
J missing one key component:
some Star Wars magic! But while
considering himself to be a hugely
passionate fan, he admits that his
infatuation with the franchise tends
to drive his partner crazy, and
delayed entering the parade for

several years until finally taking the two miles, Jason soon realized that used the machine’s batteries to
plunge when he realized the 2019 the arduous walk might be a bit increase the scooter’s power so that
event would take place on May 4th. much for his kids. “I saw a mobility it could accommodate the weight of
The superfan knew he wanted scooter for sale for £100, and my son three people and the X-wing’s

to build something special that could wanted to fly a spaceship,” he wooden structure, which he painted
involve his four-year-old daughter explains, “so the X-wing was born.” with the markings of Poe Dameron’s
and seven-year-old son. With the Salvaging an old CPU that was no Black One.
parade’s route running for around longer needed, the enterprising fan It took three months to bring the
project to life but the results were

worth the e ort, and the X-wing fl ew
the Isaac family into a fun–fi lled day.
With his children piloting the craft
dressed as Poe and R2–D2, their

e orts amazed the crowds lining the
parade route, and Jason and his

Padawans won first prize in the
parade’s walking category.

Photo by Marco Mallegni
A QUEST FOR QI’RA


Cosplaying the stylish Corellian


osplayer Sewpoke’s interest Qi’ra. At that point, Sewpoke knew
in the saga began at an early she wanted to build a Qi’ra cosplay
C age, when Star Wars: A New that focused on the dress worn during
Hope (1977) became one of the fi rst the character’s reunion with Han on
movies that her father showed to her Dryden Vos’ yacht. “I draped the
and her sister. “We both remember pattern myself and sewed it out of
being scared the first time we saw some black scuba fabric,” the talented

that trash compactor,” exclaims fan explains. “The necklace is made of
Sewpoke, who later enjoyed making foamboard and Worbla hung from
paper dolls of Padmé Amidala’s scraps of leather trim.”
outfits with her sibling. As a frequent visitor to Italy,

Sewpoke’s hobby developed into Sewpoke was cosplaying as Qi’ra at
and enthusiasm for cosplay, with her the San Marino Comics festival when
earliest subjects being Padmé and a tumultuous downpour a orded her
Leia, but when Solo: A Star Wars a unique experience. “I ended up
Story (2018) debuted in theaters, her sheltering in a tent booth with some
imagination was sparked by the Jedi and Darth Maul. It was a great
fashionable attire of Emilia Clarke’s way to meet fellow fans,” she beams.




STAR WARS INSIDER / 75

NOUGHTS & CROSSES

























































































76 / STAR WARS INSIDER

NOUGHTS & CROSSES














































X-wings vs TIE Fighters





Space battles are no game, but, with their distinctive wing and hull

configurations, X-wing and TIE fighters would make for the perfect

participants in a round of galactic noughts and crosses.
We’ve matched both starfighters across three categories to draw a line

under (or through) which is the dominant force in space combat.

W O R D S : J AY S T O B I E























STAR WARS INSIDER / 77

ROUND 1 NOUGHTS & CROSSES
Ride & Safety
ROUND 2
The view from the pilot’s perspective
Range &
An X-wing’s cockpit provides note of Leia Organa’s observation
greater visibility to a pilot than the that Grand Moff Tarkin was laying Firepower
forward-facing viewport of a TIE a trap when the Death Star only

fighter. The Imperial cockpit design dispatched four TIEs to pursue Putting the “fi ght”
blocks much of its pilot’s peripheral the Millennium Falcon. into starfi ghters

vision, making it difficult to avoid Protective energy shielding
being sideswiped by an asteroid or offers an extra layer of defense for Finding your sightseeing tour of
ambushed by a Corellian freighter. rebel flyers, while the technology’s Tatooine a little dry? The icy vistas

X-wing pilots aren’t encumbered by absence on Imperial TIEs increases of Hoth making you feel blue? Or
hefty life-support helmets, either, their vulnerability. Unconfi rmed are you on the receiving end of
and they have a loyal astromech reports have emerged that a blind some unwanted Imperial interest?
onboard to watch their back. monk once downed unshielded TIEs An X-wing allows you to escape
Speaking of astromechs, what with a mere hand weapon on Eadu. such perils in the blink of an eye,

did the TIE fighter pilot say to their Flying into a battle zone is nerve- as the nimble starfighter packs its

R2 unit? Nothing, of course: they wracking enough but doing so at own hyperdrive. The downside to
don’t have one! Missions into deep such a disadvantage should strike this convenience is the abundance
space can be lonely, so an X-wing’s fear into any pilot. The First Order, of interplanetary errands that your
repair droid is a big win over the TIE, as in so many instances, remedied rebel and Resistance pals will likely
as an astromech can fix your spirits this Imperial oversight and fi tted ask you to run for them.

as quickly as it can a faulty circuit. their TIEs with shields as standard. While the First Order’s Special


Imagine the tales that a 30-year old A TIE fighter’s fragility should Forces TIE fighters are also equipped
droid can tell to pass the time on inspire caution in its pilots, who for hyperspace travel, their standard
a long voyage? Astromechs can be know that a single mistake can cost cousins and Imperial predecessors
a bit feisty, mind you, so don’t be them their lives, but their devotion are short range ships. However, their
afraid to tell your droid to watch its to the Empire is enough to quash speed and agility makes up for their
language if its bleeps and bloops get such thoughts. On the fl ipside, lack of a hyperdrive, and they are
a bit fruity. emboldened by their rugged and adept at preventing enemy fi ghters
Imperial pilots may be alone in sturdy ships, many courageous evade their clutches. Pilots should
their cockpits, but as TIE fi ghters rebels fall victim to recklessness. take care when traversing through
typically launch in endless waves, X-wing pilots have been known trenches and canyons, however!
backup is never far away—although to “stay on target” a little too long High-speed maneuvers tend to test
friendly collisions do tend to occur before being atomized by a TIE one’s intestinal resilience and have
worryingly frequently. If you fighter’s green blaster bolts. resulted in cases of unsanctioned

stumble across a single TIE fi ghter, Imperial squadrons have weight space sickness.
chances are that the rest of its of numbers, but X-wings punch As for firepower, once they have

squadron (or a moon-sized space above their weight with personailty you in their crosshairs, TIE pilots
station) will be lurking nearby. to spare, so round one has to go to rarely miss. The same cannot be
Rebel pilots should therefore take the Incom-built fi ghter. said about an X-wing’s targeting
computer, which failed to deliver
a single decisive blow against the
Death Star. Luke Skywalker was able
to save the day with a “one in a
million” shot, but only by placing
his trust in the Force rather than his
ship’s computer.
A long-range fi ghter fi tted with
proton torpedo tubes, an X-wing
needn’t jump right into the fray
with lasers blazing, however, as it
can launch torpedoes from a much
safer distance. Discretion is often the
better part of valor, even in a galaxy
far, far away.

TIE fighters may not always
have the legs of an X-wing, but their
effectivenes in one-on-one battle
makes them the clear winner here.




78 / STAR WARS INSIDER

NOUGHTS & CROSSES





















ROUND 3
Value for Money

Second-hand stores or brand-new stock?

Rebel and Resistance pilots alike Engineers and scientists are also
put much faith in pre-loved goods, constantly making advancements
such as when Luke Skywalker and implementing new TIE designs
refused to replace R2-D2 with a to keep their forces one step ahead
newer astromech prior to the Battle of the opposition, resulting in a
of Yavin. Similarly, both forces wide variety of TIE types being used
obtain their craft second-hand, by both the Empire and the First
demonstrating the X-wing fi ghter’s Order. Yet however far each new
durability and longevity—provided iteration strays from the earlier
it doesn’t get shot down, of course. models, the twin ion engine’s
As Resistance fi ghters engage signature roar remains, striking fear
the First Order in their fi nal battle into the hearts of their enemies, and

above Exegol they have a scant granting TIE fighters a psychological
number of X-wings in active service, edge over their adversaries. It’s said
maintained using parts scavenged that many recruits cite this awe-
from numerous fi ghters downed inspiring sound as their motivation
during the conflict—a testament to for signing up.

the X-wing’s sturdy construction. Maintaining an effective military
The ship is even waterproof, which force is an expensive business, and
might come in handy were you to that might explain why Imperial
crash on a swamp planet or need TIEs are not equipped with shield
to hide your fighter in an ocean emitters or hyperdrives. However,

inlet. Built to last, purchased on the with so many ships being built, the
cheap, and easy to maintain, an economies of scale involved surely
X-wing is worth every credit spent. make manufacturing TIEs extremely
So what about TIEs? Serving an cost-effective.
all-powerful Emperor or Supreme For reasons as divergent as the
Leader has its advantages, including two sides that fly them, there’s little

a seemingly endless supply of to distinguish between the value of

factory-fresh TIE fighters and an each ship to their respective causes,
equally neverending stream of so we have no option but to call this
ideologically driven raw recruits. round a draw.



AND THE WINNER IS…
X-wings and TIE fighters are iconic craft that look fantastic and fuel our

imaginations. By weighing their pros and cons, we can decisively conclude...
that we simply cannot choose between them. In other words, it’s a TIE!

The

Star Wars

Archive


Lights! Camera! Action!
Rare images from the
Star Wars photo archives.







































































80 / STAR WARS INSIDER

The cockpit interior
of a TIE fighter, as seen
in the original Star Wars
trilogy, was exactingly
recreated for Rogue
One: A Star Wars
Story (2016).
Photo: John Wilson







STAR WARS INSIDER / 81

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