7 Characters That The Third Star Wars Anthology Film Could Focus On

Admiral Gial Ackbar

The Central Character: A bona fide hero of the Rebel Alliance, Ackbar is an amphibious humanoid from Mon Calamari, who is drawn into the struggle when his planet is attacked and left devastated by the Galactic Empire. During this conflict, many Mon Calamaris were enslaved – including Ackbar. He was later forced to work as an interpreter and servant to Grand Moff Tarkin, where he learned of plans for a Death Star.

Making his escape during a Rebel attack, Ackbar joined the Rebel Alliance as Rebel Commander, but was promoted to Admiral by Rebel Leader Mon Mothma after helping to design the B-wing Starfighters. Ackbar was eventually promoted to Commander of the Fleet and Head of Military Operations, having helped Rebel leaders create a mobile task force across the galaxy.

By the time he appears in Return Of The Jedi, having helped to plan the Battle of Endor, Ackbar is a high ranking and influential military Commander, with vast experience in combat against the Galactic Empire. He and Lando Calrissian lead the attack on the Death Star II, and it is Ackbar that utters the infamous words, “It’s a trap!”

The plot: In the style of Spartacus, the film focuses on the earlier years of Admiral Ackbar, as he suffers enslavement, escapes, and becomes a formidable and respected military leader. Motivated by the injustice perpetrated against his people, and the terrifying plans for a planetary weapon which he learns about in captivity, Ackbar soon distinguishes himself as a brilliant strategist and fearless fighter.

The director: Peter Weir, who imbues his filmmaking with a sweeping sense of time and space, while capturing detailed character portrayals – as seen in Witness, The Mosquito Coast, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show and Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World.