Cinema: A Galactic Guide

Anakin's World

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Episode I --Young slave who dreamed of becoming a Jedi. The Force is strong within him, but so is an ominous anger

SHIMI SKYWALKER Episode I --Anakin's mother, sold into slavery when he was three years old. She gives up her son so he can follow the Jedi

QUEEN AMIDALA Episode I --Elected queen of the Naboo people, thrust into war with the Trade Federation; later marries Anakin

LUKE SKYWALKER Episodes IV-VI --Tatooine farm boy and son of Anakin and Amidala; achieves his dream of becoming a Jedi; secures family's destiny, saves the galaxy

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Episodes IV-VI --Adopted daughter of Alderaan's Prince Bail Organa; Luke's twin; goes on to lead the New Republic

Darth Vader's World

DARTH VADER Episodes IV-VI --The adult Anakin after he embraces the dark side, his half-mechanical body the result of a fall into a molten pit.

SENATOR/EMPEROR PALPATINE Episodes I, VI --Representative from Naboo who succumbs to the dark side and causes the disintegration of the Old Republic; ultimately destroyed by Darth Vader

DARTH MAUL Episode I --The double-edged-light-saber-wielding Dark Lord of Sith who pursues Queen Amidala and her allies

DARTH SIDIOUS Episode I --This Sith Lord stays in the shadows and serves as Maul's mentor; his plan is to take over the Republic

GRAND MOFF TARKIN Episode IV Palpatine's crony and chief of the first, ill-fated Death Star

Other Characters and Creatures

OBI-WAN KENOBI Episodes I-VI --Jedi mentor to both Anakin and Luke. Dies in a duel with his former protege but becomes Luke's spirit guide

QUI-GON JINN Episode I --Jedi master and mentor to Obi-Wan. Has a history of quarreling with the Jedi Council; recognizes the Force in Anakin

MACE WINDU Episode I --Jedi Master and the oldest human on the knight's governing council

YODA Episodes I, V, VI --Centuries-old de-facto leader of the Jedi Council; later retreats to swamp world of Dagobah and mentors Luke

R2-D2 Episodes I, IV-VI --Astromech droid discovered on Naboo ship. Accompanies Anakin; later bought by Luke

C-3PO Episodes I, IV-VI --Protocol droid created by Anakin; owned by Leia, then Luke; partners with R2-D2

JAR JAR BINKS Episode I --Member of the Gungans, an underwater race on Naboo; becomes the comic sidekick to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

HAN SOLO Episodes IV-VI --Corellian-born smuggler who aids Luke, Obi-Wan and the Rebellion; becomes Princess Leia's paramour

CHEWBACCA Episodes IV-VI --Han's loyal Wookiee companion and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon

LANDO CALRISSIAN Episodes V, VI --Proprietor of Cloud City, which he won on a bet. Betrays, then saves Han, Luke and friends; later joins the Rebellion

ADMIRAL ACKBAR Episode VI --Former interpreter for Grand Moff Tarkin; defects to the Rebellion; leads attack on the second Death Star

THE EWOKS Episode VI --Tree-dwelling inhabitants of the forest moon of Endor; aid in the final defeat of the Empire

BOBA FETT Episodes V, VI --Silent bounty hunter who transports the frozen body of Han Solo from Cloud City to Jabba the Hutt's court