Perhaps one of the most famous and recognizable figures throughout the Star Wars franchise is Jabba the Hutt. This large and powerful crime lord of the galaxy far, far away has made quite an impact on popular culture. In fact, the character even spawned a spoof in Mel Brooks’ SpaceBalls with the iteration of Pizza the Hutt.
Jabba isn’t as prominent of a villain and has made some cameos in films such as The Phantom Menace. However, his presence is felt throughout the Skywalker Saga. He is featured as a larger piece of The Clone Wars series, being the gangster we all know and love. There are a few appearances that define Jabba the Hutt throughout the franchise’s history, and these moments establish the character to be what audiences know and love the most.
8 Jabba Meets Dooku in The Clone Wars
Count Dooku’s appearances in the Star Wars franchise are sporadic but effective. In The Clone Wars film, we see the count and the gangster himself come face-to-face. Count Dooku, voiced by the great Christopher Lee, provides information to Jabba about the potential whereabouts of his son. However, Dooku’s words lie in an effort to overthrow Jabba. Jabba is the overbearing presence of the scene, and Dooku’s respect for the Hutt is most noteworthy, as we never see Dooku truly lower himself down in stature.
Even though it is all a lie, it is entertaining to see two titans of the franchise together on screen. Jabba also comes to meet Anakin Skywalker, who soon becomes Darth Vader in canonical films and throughout The Clone Wars Series.
7 The Tragedy of the Twi’lek in Return of the Jedi
Jabba’s first slave, that audiences see, was the green-skinned Twi’lek who was forced to dance for the gangster’s amusement. However, during a rather odd and out-of-place song and dance number for Jabba’s pleasure, she tries to force her way out of the confines of the Hutt. Nevertheless, it does not prevail and Jabba sends her plummeting down to the Rankor’s den. However, we do not see the beast, only hearing the screams of pain from Twi’lek while Jabba laughs maniacally. This scene is important to setting up the suspense for what Luke Skywalker will face later in the film.
6 Jabba and Solo in A New Hope
Han Solo meets the sluggish Jabba the Hutt after frying Greedo in the Cantina Bar. Jabba demands his money for a previous debt from Solo. Jabba, as a character, is completely CGI overlaid over his once-human portrayal. The slimy slug we all know today was inserted in the scene to interact with Han Solo. The two discuss payment, smuggling, and a deadly price to pay if Han does not. Jabba is a true gangster in this scene, and it is one of the more classic moments of his run throughout the franchise.
5 Jabba Takes Solo and the Princess in Return of the Jedi
It all comes full circle for Han Solo, as he comes face-to-face once again with Jabba. After being unfrozen by Leia, he pleads for his life and tries to smoothly talk his way out without paying his debt. The moment from Episode IV has proven true, as Jabba is known to be a Hutt of his word. He takes Solo away, and shows his disgusting infatuation with Princess Leia, as he turns her into one of his newest slaves.
4 Jabba Bargains for Chewbacca in Return of the Jedi
In this small but tense sequence, Jabba bargains with a bounty hunter for Chewbacca. The bounty hunter raises the ante by holding up a thermal detonator. C3PO translates on behalf of Jabba the Hutt and expresses deep concern and fear. However, Jabba remains amused and unphased by the bounty hunter’s power move. Nevertheless, he agrees to trade for the Wookie. This moment shows Jabba’s weakness, which is a slight power struggle. He is enamored by the bounty hunter, who is revealed to be Princess Leia, who is slowly plotting Solo’s escape.
3 A Message From C3PO and R2D2 in Return of the Jedi
This is the first time in the chronological franchise that audiences get to see Jabba in all of his… strange glory within his palace. Aside from the oddities of character design and lavish lifestyle, Jabba is a bruting presence that intimidates the lovable droids C3PO and R2D2.
They present the gangster with a message from Luke Skywalker, bargaining for Han Solo’s life. Solo, recently frozen in carbonite, is hanging on display within Jabba’s palace. Jabba refuses to bargain for Solo with Luke Skywalker and proudly laughs at finally obtaining an end to Solo’s debt… that being Solo himself. We are now aware of Jabba’s intimidating persona, and his disdain for human life when it comes to his debts.
2 Vader Meets Jabba in Darth Vader: First Issue
While Jabba and Vader never meet on screen or on television, they clash in Darth Vader’s first comic book issue. The events take place between the films A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Vader comes to Jabba seeking information about Luke Skywalker, who blew up The Death Star. Jabba calls Vader a Jedi, and Vader turns to more powerful ways of asserting his dominance. Vader force chokes Jabba, showing that the powers of the Dark Side do prevail over the Hutt.
This lies in canon and in Jabba’s lore. While Jedi mind tricks do not work on the gangster, Vader’s powers of the Dark Side do. Jabba bows to the powers of Vader, yielding his dominant stature in the presence of the once-powerful Jedi.
1 Jabba the Hutt vs. Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi
While it is not a battle of hands or lightsabers, it is a battle of wits. Luke finally arrives to demand a bargain for his friends. Luke uses his Jedi mind tricks to enter the palace and be in Jabba’s presence. However, one of the most famous lines from Jabba is delivered in this powerful sequence with Luke Skywalker in this moment. So what does Jabba the Hutt say to Luke Skywalker?
“Your mind powers will not work on me, boy.”
This powerful line establishes that Jabba is immune to Jedi mind tricks, and Jedi powers all together. Jabba overpowers Luke by dropping him into the pit to face the Rankor, laughing while Luke seems to be in peril. His happiness turns to despair when Luke overpowers the giant monster, and the Hutt’s anger intensifies into his final sequence. Later, in his final moments, Jabba is overpowered by the very Skywalker he enslaved. Leia chokes him with the chain he used to bind her with. It’s poetic and satisfying for the viewer to see.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
