The galaxy far, far away seems like it isn’t going anywhere in the film industry anytime soon, and continues to get bigger and bigger. A lot of fans have been satisfied with some spin-offs, with The Mandalorian and Rogue One having been almost universally acclaimed. Other fans have expressed some dismay and egregious disappointment, or simply consider some spin-offs to be triumphs of mediocrity, with Solo and The Book of Boba Fett garnering more of a mixed reception.
However, there have been characters that the Star Wars saga has decided to abandon altogether. On the flip side, many fans have been clamoring for these characters to have their own spin-off, since the Star Wars universe and timeline is expanding at a rapid rate. Here is a list of characters that really need their own spin-off.
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Lando Calrissian
Lucasfilm
This one might actually be happening. In all fairness, Calrissian was already seen in the 2018 anthology flop Solo, portrayed by Donald Glover, but the character has never truly stepped into the limelight on his own. Fans already know how he met Han Solo, but it would be very interesting to know how the character became the administrator of Cloud City and what adventures he has gone on since.
The character’s arc and theme of the spin-off could be adjacent to that of a spy thriller film that could rival the Mission Impossible series, or something adventurous like Indiana Jones. Let’s just hope that Lucasfilm gives the fans what they want and deserve if and when Lando ever sees the light of day.
General Grievous
20th Century Fox
General Grievous was a very underrated character in the Star Wars canon. He is best remembered for taking on Obi-Wan Kenobi in a lightsaber battle in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. However, there is so much that could be explored about the character, which the comics have attempted to do in smaller ways, indicating a desire to explore Grievous more.
A solo film about this cybernetic character could give the audience insight on how he ended up with his robotic appendages. The film or tv series could end up being a dramatic tragedy that could make the villain more sympathetic in the eyes of Star Wars fans. Only time will tell if the character is given the proper development.
Jar-Jar Binks
Warner Bros. Pictures
Admittedly, this Gungan is probably the most hated character in the Star Wars universe. However, that doesn’t mean characters like Jar-Jar Binks don’t deserve a second chance. In all fairness, if Lucasfilm utilizes the proper techniques, they could make something extraordinary.
Perhaps, if Disney is willing to make a science-fiction comedy series for kids that starred the floppy-eared creature, it would be a lot more tolerable to watch than having the Gungan foul up plans for the Jedi. While much less likely, the idea of a Christopher Nolan-type ‘girtty reboot’ of Jar-Jar sounds hilarious. Either way, maybe the Jar-Jar Binks actor should use a different voice.
Count Dooku
A character that failed to get a lot of screen time in the prequels was Christopher Lee’s amazing turn as the sith lord Count Dooku. Dooku always seemed like a figure shrouded in darkness and mystery, was incredibly powerful with the dark side of the force, and had a close relationship with Kenobi’s master Qui-Gon Jinn. So, making a film about his origins and how he came to be a sith lord would be very fitting.
The spin-off may shed some light and character development that fans have been longing for in the Count. It may come as a challenge to make this work because of the death of Christopher Lee (who admittedly made Dooku great), but that doesn’t mean the filmmakers can’t use his likeness and bring the character back using CGI like they did for Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin and Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker. Nonetheless, an origin story of sorts could certainly utilize a younger actor to tell this mysterious man’s story.
Mace Windu
Many fans have speculated that this Jedi would be in the sequels as Snoke, or that he would be reprising his character in The Book of Boba Fett. However, that hasn’t happened and does not seem likely. With that being said, the only way to remedy the lack of Samuel L. Jackson’s presence in the universe is to give him his own spin-off.
The origins of Mace Windu are never explicitly mentioned in the series, so this would be the perfect opportunity to explore the Jedi master in more illuminated detail that would put the character in new situations and adventures. Jackson is headlining his first full television show, Marvel’s Secret Invasion, this year, so perhaps having gone into television once, he’d do it again.
R2-D2 & C-3PO
It’s almost impossible to pick which droid would be better suited for their own spin-off, because the two are synonymous with one another. So, it makes sense that both C-3PO and R2-D2 take this slot, and could be paired together in a great sci-fi comedy. Usually, these characters are seen as comic relief in the series and, much like Jar-Jar Binks, could make the spin-off a kind of adventurous science fiction Odd Couple, a tale of the two walking in on the wrong situation at the wrong time.
It might be hard for the two to carry a series or film alone, but Disney and LucasFilm seem to want to try, with Star Wars: A Droid Story set to premier sometime this or next year on Disney+. Though almost certainly just an animated film, it doesn’t seem impossible to imagine a live-action series of the two, and it’d be hilarious to imagine the duo’s antics, especially if someone comically-minded like Taika Waititi or the Russo Brothers (who both recently brought their comedy to Marvel) could take control of it.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Much like Mace Windu and Count Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn’s past is never explicitly mentioned in the course of the series. What is known is that he was Obi-Wan’s Jedi master and at the end of The Phantom Menace, was murdered by Darth Maul. Exploring his past would give fans a fresh new look at the character.
If exploring his past is out of the question, then, perhaps discussing his time post-death would be just as cool. It would be interesting to know how Jedi like him communicate after death through the force. Fans have already desperately wanted him to appear in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but Neeson announced he wouldn’t be in it. The fan disappointment was palpable, indicating a strong desire for this spin-off.
Yoda
This was a character who was long overdue for his own spin-off. The little green Jedi has showcased his wisdom and fighting skills throughout the series. He’s had enough screen time in movies, TV shows and various other media that it seems fans know so much about Yoda, but ardent fans have yet to see the majority of his 900 years of life.
His presence is so magnetic and mystifying that it seems impossible that Lucasfilm would not be interested in a project of this scope. The quickest evidence for his fans’ demand is the immense amount of popularity and vocal adoration that Baby Yoda received in The Mandalorian.
Darth Maul
This tattooed sith is a Star Wars character that always felt lacking in character development, especially since his screen time was cut (no pun intended) in The Phantom Menace. Even with more ground covered in the Star Wars television shows, Darth Maul still seems like a barren character that never got the best treatment in his arc, and yet had so much style over substance and strange appeal (and endless merchandise) that fans wanted more.
The best way to do justice to the character is to focus on him in an origin story that details his family rise in becoming a sith lord. It could be a dark antihero drama, or even a hyper-stylistic and fun look at the character through great action. Fans may get a preview of this if or when he appears in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
Darth Sidious
Probably the most sinister villain in the entire saga, Darth Sidious (otherwise known as Emperor Palpatine) has been single-handedly involved in some of the most nefarious schemes in the Star Wars lore. The spin-off could easily talk about his meteoric rise to power (akin to a political drama like House of Cards) and his relationship with Darth Plagueis. With top-notch writing (like master of politics Aaron Sorkin) and some expert casting, the project could prove to be a winning work in the canon.
With that being said, not making a solo spin-off series of this dastardly sith might be a crime in itself.
