Best ‘Star Wars’ Villains

Star Wars

May 3

The Star Wars galaxy has given us some of the best heroes, anti-heroes, and villain redemptive arcs in all of Hollywood. The franchise of films, books, and video games has also introduced us to new worlds and species. It is one of the main reasons that the franchise has been successful for more than four decades. Along with all of this, it has also given us some of the best and most terrifying villains. Jabba the Hutt, Emperor Palpatine, and Count Dooku are only a few of the great villains that have come from this franchise. Let’s take a look at five of the best Star Wars villains. Warning: contains spoilers for Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and the prequel trilogy!

5. Mace Windu (The Prequel Trilogy)

This is an entry on this list that may be considered a hot take. While Mace Windu was portrayed as a hero throughout the prequels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he and the Jedi Council played a huge role in Anakin’s downfall and Ahsoka leaving the Jedi Order. Mace Windu constantly disapproved of Anakin and anything he touched which lead the council to follow Windu’s example. Had Mace Windu not been on the council the entire franchise would be completely different. Windu also helped to influence the council against Ahsoka when she was framed for murder. If that doesn’t make him a villain then I don’t know what would.

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4. Tarkin (Star Wars: The Bad Batch)

Tarkin has been a villain since the original trilogy when he gave the “fire when ready” order that destroyed Alderaan, but his villainy reached new heights during Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Not only did he decide to decommission millions of clones simply because he didn’t like them, but he also framed them for the destruction of Kamino. For the clones that still have their inhibitor chips, this was the ultimate act of betrayal because they have no way to go against him or protect themselves.

3. Ventress (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Asajj Ventress is one of my very favorite Star Wars characters in the franchise. She is a fascinating and dynamic character that acts as more of a grey character than a 100% villain. For most of her time in The Clone Wars, she is doing Dooku’s bidding, but when we see her at the end of the series she is now working with Ahsoka to help her survive and escape. She is the perfect villain because she only does what will help herself, but she also acts on emotion – her showdown with Dooku after he betrays her was truly amazing. I hope that we see her again in future Star Wars projects because we have not gotten enough of her story.

2. Moff Gideon (The Mandalorian)

Anyone that wants to hurt Grogu is a villain in my book. Gideon was a fascinating character because similar to Palpatine he operated from the shadows until he was forced into the light. He will forever have my favorite line in all of Star Wars: “You have something that I want” still gives me chills. He is the ultimate villain because he has no moral compass or code. No one is safe, not even his own people, and the fact that we now have Gideon clones makes The Mandalorian significantly more foreboding. I still don’t buy that he is gone!

1. Grand Admiral Thrawn (Star Wars Rebels)

Grand Admiral Thrawn is the best Star Wars character and villain, in my opinion. I have not read any of the books about Thrawn, but what little we saw of him in Star Wars: Rebels shot him straight to the top of my list! His character is the most dynamic of all the Star Wars characters and especially the villains. I am still not sold that he is 100% a villain because his interest in preserving cultures shows that he has some morality hidden deep within him. I can’t wait to see more of him in Ahsoka!

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