The main characters ofStar Warswouldn’t have had much time for movies while saving (or destroying) the galaxy, but a person’s favorite movie would connect them to these 12 characters. TheStar Warsmovieshave revealed quite a bit of information about the franchise’s main characters and their personalities. From the nobility of themost powerful Jedi inStar Warsto the villainy of themost powerful Sith Lords inStar Wars, there seems to be a character for everyone. There also 12 characters who perfectly fit some common favorite movies.
Star Warscharacters can be assigned to fans in a number of ways. From theJedi who fit each Zodiac signtothe stormtrooper types assorted by Zodiac signs, there are quite a few ways to connect to the franchise’s characters on a personal level. It turns out that a person’s favorite movie can also connect them to particularStar Warscharacters, and these 12 have strong ties to some of the best movies out there.
The 15 Best Star Wars Characters
Star Wars has a decades-long legacy, and with that comes a number of incredibly popular characters—these 15 are the very best in the whole franchise.
12Julius Caesar - Padmé Amidala
For fans ofJulius Caesar, be it the Charlton Heston version, the Marlon Brando version, or any other version, Padmé Amidala is the perfectStar Warscharacter. Like Padmé, those who enjoyJulius Caesarare likely to enjoy politics, government, patriotism, and the question of what it means to be a good citizen.Julius Caesaralso deals heavily with themes of the price of liberty, the death of democracy by popular vote, the manipulation of the masses, and the rise of tyranny, which are all major facets of Padmé’s story.
Julius Caesar
Cast
Julius Caesar, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, is a 1953 adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic play. Starring Marlon Brando as Mark Antony and James Mason as Brutus, this film explores the political machinations, betrayal, and assassination of the Roman leader Julius Caesar, portrayed by Louis Calhern. The screenplay remains faithful to Shakespeare’s original dialogue, bringing to life the tension and tragedy of ancient Rome.
Padmé Amidala
The elected Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala won galactic acclaim for her heroism when she led her people against the Trade Federation. She became an influential member of the Republic Senate, but her life changed forever when she fell in love with Anakin Skywalker. Padmé Amidala found herself torn between her love for Anakin and her belief in the principles of the Republic, especially when Anakin became Darth Vader. She was brutally attacked by Anakin on Mustafar, and died in childbirth.
TheStar Warsprequel trilogy was heavily influenced by classic literature like Shakespeare, and Padmé Amidala is probably the most closely tied to the story ofJulius Caesar.By the time ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Padmé had fully taken on the role of Brutus, albeit with much less murder and betrayal. She laments the fall of the Galactic Republic, she tries to oust the would-be emperor, and her famous line - “So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause,” - sounds like it came straight from Shakespeare’s quill.
Reason
12 Angry Men
A story about justice, the rule of law, and helping others arrive at a merciful decision could be Padmé’s favorite film.
11Whiplash - Anakin Skywalker
Obsession is a major component in the story of Anakin Skywalker, and no film illustrates that concept better thanWhiplash.InWhiplash, Andrew (Miles Teller) begins with a dream of becoming a great drummer, but after his teacher, Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) has gotten through with him, that dream becomes a nightmare. Throughout the movie, Andrew’s loved ones have begged him to see where the end of his obsession leads, and his dreams of becoming a drummer have alienated him from all of them. Andrew becomes a great drummer, butWhiplashasks if it was worth the price.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a drama that delves into the intense relationship between a young jazz drummer and his ruthless music instructor, exploring themes of ambition, perfectionism, and the costs of success.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine’s right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
The similarities between Andrew inWhiplashand Anakin inStar Warsrun extremely deep; only the terms need to be changed.Anakin wanted to be a powerful Jedi instead of a great drummer, his wife and mentor tried to bring him back from the edge instead of his father, and he killed his loved ones instead of alienating them. They even share the same negative influence: Anakin was manipulated by Chancellor Palpatine, while Andrew was abused by Fletcher. They’re perfect modern adaptations of the tragic hero trope, andWhiplashis a perfect fit for Anakin.
Dune: Part Two
Anakin is very similar to Paul Atreides: they both fall from grace to become the very thing they swore to destroy: a despot and a villain.
Macbeth
Shakespeare’s Macbeth serves as the blueprint for Anakin’s fall to the dark side.
10Spider-Man - Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Jedi areStar Wars' version of superheroes, and no superhero film fits Obi-Wan Kenobi better thanSpider-Man.Tobey Maguire’s debut as Peter Parker dealt heavily with some of the character’s most prominent themes, such as responsibility and self-sacrifice. Peter had to watch Uncle Ben die before he could learn what it means to be a hero, and by the end of the first film, he had even let Mary Jane go to keep her safe while he continued to be Spider-Man. Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manis a character study into a hero who’s willing to sacrifice anything to do the right thing, and so is Obi-Wan.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the first film in Sam Raimi’s trilogy starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Released in 2002, the film introduced superhero fans to a live-action Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe, who is transformed into his villainous alter ego, Green Goblin, after being forced out of Oscorp Industries. At the same time, Peter Parker is grappling with his newfound abilities as the iconic wall-crawler.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master’s death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.
Like Peter, Obi-Wan’s story inStar Warsis filled with tragedy.He had to watch Qui-Gon Jinn die, he had to give up his love for Satine Kryze so he could continue to be a Jedi, and he had to fight his own student and brother three times, sacrificing his own life in the end. Obi-Wan’s story is one that’s filled with pain, yet through it all, he remains committed to the light side and doing what he can to save the galaxy. Both Peter Parker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are selfless heroes, andSpider-Manis the perfect complement to Obi-Wan.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Another movie about sacrifice: Obi-Wan would almost certainly agree with Spock that the good of the many outweighs the good of the few.
War for the Planet of the Apes
Obi-Wan bears a striking resemblance to Caesar, and both of their stories end at the same point, with the hero’s death and an unfinished job.
9Falling Down - Count Dooku
Count Dooku was tragic and misunderstood, but he was still a villain, andFalling Downreflects that dichotomy perfectly.Falling Downfollows Bill “D-Fens” Foster (Michael Douglas), a normal office worker who notices the various problems in society and tries to do something about them. Unfortunately, Bill chooses to address those problems through violence, and he becomes a vigilante. By the end of the film, it’s no longer clear whether he cared more about righting wrongs or killing for his own pleasure, as he targets increasingly benign problems and even threatens his own family.
Falling Down
Falling Down, directed by Joel Schumacher, follows an ordinary man played by Michael Douglas, who becomes increasingly frustrated with societal flaws. As his day unfolds, his escalating anger leads him down a path of psychotic and violent outbursts, challenging the boundaries of order and chaos in Los Angeles.
Count Dooku
The apprentice of Master Yoda, Count Dooku’s interest in prophecy and ancient Jedi texts led him inexorably to the dark side. He somehow discovered the existence of the Sith, and became Palpatine’s apprentice after the death of Darth Maul. Dooku’s inherited title as Count of Serenno gave him vast political influence, which he used as leader of the Separatist movement during the Clone Wars. He was ultimately killed by Anakin Skywalker, realizing too late that Palpatine had tricked him.
Dooku’s fall to the dark side is quite like Bill’s inFalling Down. Dooku began as a good Jedi, one who was especially concerned for the plight of common people and especially aware of how both the Order and the Republic were failing those people. Those concerns led him to leaving the Order entirely, but his good intentions were quickly wiped away in favor of villainy.Throughout the Clone Wars, Dooku committed countless killings and atrocities, and he lost sight of why he was fighting after being seduced by the dark side’s power.Falling Downsimply tells his story on a smaller scale.
Reasoning
Death Wish
Another story of a man who turns to violence in an attempt to right the world’s wrongs.
Primal Fear
A story about a man with good intentions who was manipulated into protecting a villain.
8The Hobbit/The Lord Of The Rings - Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is the prototypical hero ofStar Wars, and it’s only fitting that he be paired with the greatest iterations of the hero’s journey ever put to film: theHobbitandLord of the Ringstrilogies. Bilbo Baggins matches Luke in the original trilogy: both were young men who were eager for adventure and a way out of their sleepy villages. The adventure they go on utterly changes their lives and the world around them, and they go from their humble beginnings to being unlikely heroes.Bilbo and Luke also both showed incredible mercy - Bilbo to Gollum and Luke to Darth Vader.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Luke Skywalker
The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke’s faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine’s manipulations, but Luke’s legacy lives on in Rey.
Frodo Baggins more closely matches Luke’s characterization in the sequel trilogy.Frodo wasn’t nearly as fond of adventure as Bilbo was, but when the call to action came, he answered it, just as Luke eventually did inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Frodo’s story was also far more tragic than Bilbo’s, as he was permanently scarred by his time as the ring bearer and the Shire payed for his heroics. Similarly, Luke had to pay for his own heroics in the sequels. Those who enjoy the movies based on Tolkien’s work are sure to love Luke Skywalker.
Superman
Both Clark Kent and Luke Skywalker are ideal heroes, ones who exemplify the best nature of humanity.
7Casablanca - Leia Organa
Those who callCasablancatheir favorite film have a strong love for the classics, and there are fewStar Warscharacters more classic than Leia Organa.Casablancais often considered one of thebest movies of all time, and for good reason.It tells the story of Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) as they reconnect in Morocco during World War II. Both Rick and Ilsa rebel against the Nazis in their own way - Ilsa by helping her fugitive husband escape their search, and Rick by protecting both him and Ilsa.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a classic film set in December 1941, starring Humphrey Bogart as a cynical American expatriate in Morocco. When he encounters a former lover, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, complicated personal and political tensions arise amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Leia Organa
The daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Leia inherited her mother’s political skills and her father’s Force power. She was raised on Alderaan as a member of the royal family, and followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming a senator who secretly worked alongside the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan’s destruction changed everything, and Leia became a leader in both the Rebel Alliance and its successor government, the New Republic. She served there for decades, eventually leaving to found the First Order when she sensed its darkness growing. Leia gave much for her ideals, but eventually gave her life to redeem her son Ben.
Fans ofCasablancashould love Leia because she shares so many similarities with Ilsa.Both Leia and Ilsa were strong and independent in their own right: Leia became a major military leader and Ilsa wasn’t afraid to put herself in danger and use a gun. They also both had fiery personalities and an innate sense of stubbornness, and they both fell in love with men who seemed like ornery criminals yet turned out to be brave heroes. The biggest reasonCasablancais tied to Leia, however, is because it’s absolutely timeless, just as she is.
Alien
Ripley and Leia are two peas in a pod: strong female leads in iconic sci-fi movies who prove they’re more than capable of protecting themselves.
6The Princess Bride - Han Solo
There’s a lot to love aboutThe Princess Bride, and the same great qualities of that movie apply to Han Solo.InThe Princess Bride, Wesley (Cary Elwes) has quite a bit of character development that matches up with Han. He begins as a gentle lover and loyal partner to Buttercup (Robin Wright), but after he’s abducted by pirates, he becomes one himself. Eventually, he reunites with Buttercup, reestablishes their love, and gives up his piracy to be with her. While Wesley never truly became a scoundrel, it does connect him toStar Wars' favorite nerf-herder.
The Princess Bride
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
Han Solo
Hailing from Corellia, Han Solo deserted the Empire to become a smuggler, and he spent years working for the Hutts as a spice runner. Han’s life changed forever when he agreed to transport Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker to Alderaan from Tatooine, and he soon became an important member of the Rebel Alliance. Han’s romance with Leia Organa became the stuff of legend, and they married shortly after the Battle of Endor. Sadly, their relationship ended in tragedy when their son Ben fell to the dark side - eventually killing Han. Still, memories of Han helped bring Ben back to the light.
Han Solo’s character arc was very similar to Wesley’s inThe Princess Bride, albeit with a few key differences. He began as a loyal partner to Qi’ra inSolo: A Star Wars Story, and it was only after he reconnected with her and realized she didn’t love him anymore that he doubled down on becoming a smuggler.Eventually, though, Han would give up his scoundrel ways to be with Leia Organa, just as Wesley stopped being a pirate for Buttercup. Han Solo is also a character who’s defined by his sense of adventure and romance, two thingsThe Princess Brideis best known for.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Han Solo and Indiana Jones are very similar (even discounting their actor). Both are charming, crafty, and roguish adventurers who learn to do the right thing.
5Good Will Hunting - Yoda
Anyone who was deeply moved by the teacher-student relationship inGood Will Huntingwill enjoy the ultimate teacher inStar Wars: Master Yoda. InGood Will Hunting, Sean (Robin Williams) takes Will (Matt Damon), a young man with an incredible mind for mathematics, as his therapy client and student.By theend ofGood Will Hunting, Sean was able to teach Will about how to live his life, how to live up to his potential, and how to overcome his past trauma. It’s an intensely emotional movie, and one of the greatest student-teacher dynamics ever put to film.
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting centers around a gifted janitor, Will Hunting, whose mathematical genius is recognized by professors. As he navigates his complex personal life and inner struggles, he is guided by a therapist who helps him confront his past and realize his potential.
Yoda
The aged Jedi Master had trained Jedi for 800 years by the time he met Luke Skywalker on the planet Dagobah. One of the most famed and revered Jedi, Yoda served as Grand Master of the Jedi Order for centuries; he was powerful enough to duel Darth Sidious himself, although he was defeated. Yoda exiled himself to Dagobah, where he learned how to become a Force Ghost and offered guidance to Luke Skywalker.
TheStar Warsversion of Sean fromGood Will Huntingis Master Yoda. One of his most notable duties as a leader of the Jedi Order was to train younglings to be the next generation of Jedi. Yoda also offered wisdom and guidance to any older Jedi who needed it, such as Anakin Skywalker.Sean was essentially the teacher Yoda strived to be: a person who could show young minds the path towards enlightenment and the fulfillment of their potential. Anyone who likedGood Will Huntingshould be able to identify with Yoda.
Logan
A story about passing on a better future for the next generation and accepting an inevitable end, a lesson Yoda displayed well.
4Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Rey Skywalker
If you likedTerminator 2: Judgment Daybecause of how it changed the T-800, then Rey Skywalker is the perfect character for you.Terminator 2wasn’t terribly different from the original in terms of plot, as both films showed someone from the future protecting some important people from the past from a killer robot. WhereTerminator 2differed from the original, however, was in that protector.The T-800 went from the villain of the first film to the hero of the second, andTerminator 2was able to tell a compelling story about a character overcoming their evil nature to be a good person.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron, set ten years after the original. It chronicles a new effort to eliminate future rebellion leader John Connor, despite a reprogrammed terminator dispatched to safeguard him.
Rey Skywalker
Daughter of a “failed” Palpatine clone, Rey became part of a mysterious phenomenon known as the Force Dyad - a vergence in the Force that bound her to Kylo Ren. Trained by both Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, Rey fought against the First Order as an ally of the Resistance. She ultimately triumphed against Palpatine himself, channelling the full power of all Jedi.
A major part of Rey’s characterization, particularly inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, was her familial connection to Emperor Palpatine. Rey was related to Palpatine because she was the daughter of one of his clones, which he had created to give himself eternal life. In a way, Rey was designed to be the ultimate weapon for evil: a way to bring Palpatine back to his full power.Despite her origins as part of an evil plan, however, and quite like the T-800, Rey overcame her nature and emphatically chose the light.
Venom
An alien turns against his own kind to save humanity after learning more about his host.
3Blade Runner 2049 - Finn
Viewers who likedBlade Runner 2049’s story about a corrupt organization’s tool learning to think for himself and fight against them are just like Finn.InBlade Runner 2049, K (Ryan Gosling) began as a replicant who served as a Blade Runner and hunted down his fellow replicants. After hearing a story that gave him hope for the future of replicants, however, K broke away from the Blade Runners and helped bring Deckard (Harrison Ford) to his daughter.Blade Runner 2049is all about a character breaking free of the chains in their mind and learning to think for themselves.
Blade Runner 2049
Set thirty years after the original film, Blade Runner 2049 is a sci-fi neo-noir film by the director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve. The film follows LAPD replicant officer K, who discovers a devastating secret that could throw society into total chaos. To stop a potential war between replicants and humans, he’ll need to locate missing former blade runner Rick Deckard and uncover the truth.
Finn
Brainwashed as a stormtrooper for the First Order, Finn was able to resist his conditioning - likely due to his Force-sensitivity. Initially unwilling to ally with the Resistance, he nonetheless eventually chose to side with them, and became a good friend to both Rey and Poe Dameron. Finn led a squad of ex-stormtroopers during the fateful Battle of Exegol, a conflict that saw him finally embrace the Force.
In much the same way the Blade Runners used K, Finn was a tool of the First Order. He went through heavy indoctrination and training from his early childhood, and he served them into his early adulthood.Also, like K, Finn broke free from his conditioning and decided to join the Resistance to help stop the tyranny of his former masters. Finn also shares some similarities to Deckard, as they were both able to open their eyes to the tyranny they were part of after being forced to hunt down innocent people.
The Matrix
Neo learns to free his mind from the Matrix and then becomes a prominent fighter against the enslavement of humanity, just like Finn did.
