It has been 47 years since the release of the first Star Wars feature film and over those years we have been introduced to many Star Wars villains both on and off screen. The characters have come from movies, television, books, comics and so much more.
For the Capes and Tights Star Wars week we have compiled a list of our favorite, most badass Star Wars villains of all-time.
10. KYLO REN
The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben Solo was seduced by the dark side of the Force and renamed himself Kylo Ren: leader of the Knights of Ren, champion of the First Order, and apprentice to Supreme Leader Snoke. Driven to destroy the past, Kylo killed his father and his master, supplanting Snoke as Supreme Leader. But he remained haunted by his father’s death, his connection with the mysterious Rey, and the pull of the good in himself. In time, all three would help Ben Solo return to the light.
9. MOFF GIDEON
Imperial Moff Gideon is fiercely determined to capture the Child, known as Grogu. Clever and formidable, Gideon values power and knowledge. He wields the ancient Darksaber, an artifact of great import to Mandalorians.
8. JABBA THE HUTT
Jabba the Hutt was one of the galaxy’s most powerful gangsters, with far-reaching influence in both politics and the criminal underworld. There were no second chances with Jabba, something Han Solo would find out — though the slug-like alien would ultimately fall victim to his own hubris and vengeful ways.
7. GRAND MOFF TARKIN
An ambitious, ruthless proponent of military power, Wilhuff Tarkin became a favorite of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and rose rapidly through the Imperial ranks. Shortly after the Empire’s creation, he was put in charge of the construction of the Death Star. Tarkin saw the Death Star as a way to crush all dissent to the Empire’s rule — fear of the station’s planet-killing superlaser would keep the galaxy’s star systems in line. He demonstrated the station’s power by destroying Alderaan, but died soon afterwards when the Death Star itself was destroyed.
6. DIRECTOR ORSON KRENIC
As director of Advanced Weapons Research for the Imperial military, Orson Krennic is obsessed with the completion of the long-delayed Death Star project. A cruel but brilliant man, Krennic has staked his reputation on the delivery of the functional battle station to the Emperor.
5. CAD BANE
A ruthless bounty hunter from the planet Duro, Cad Bane was the preeminent blaster-for-hire in the galaxy at the time of the Clone Wars and after the conflict ended. Using an impressive arsenal of weapons and allies, the cold, cruel, and calculating Bane would literally track his prey to the ends of the galaxy if required. Bane carried custom twin blaster pistols, gauntlets studded with control devices, a concealed bola, explosives, integrated breathing apparatus, and rocket boots, ensuring that he was always well prepared for any situation that may arise.
4. DARTH SIDIOUS
The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural, and Sheev Palpatine is the most infamous follower of its doctrines. Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core, Darth Sidious restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. Living a double life, he was also Palpatine, a Naboo Senator and phantom menace. He manipulated the political system of the Galactic Republic until he was named Supreme Chancellor — and eventually Emperor – and ruled the galaxy through fear and tyranny. The galaxy rejoiced when he died at the Battle of Endor, but Sidious had cheated death and patiently plotted a return to power.
3. DARTH MAUL
A deadly, agile Sith Lord trained by the evil Darth Sidious, Darth Maul was a formidable warrior and scheming mastermind. He wielded an intimidating double-bladed lightsaber and fought with a menacing ferocity. Though he fell in battle against Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Zabrak from Dathomir would prove to be much harder to destroy than originally believed.
2. GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN
The last unaccounted for Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, Thrawn is a brilliant strategist as ruthless as he is cunning. When the Empire needed a strong commander to dismantle the rebellion on Lothal, they called upon Thrawn, known for studying his enemies — including their art and culture — to gain tactical advantages often overlooked by his peers. Exiled into parts unknown with the Jedi and rebel Ezra Bridger during the Battle of Lothal, should he return to the galaxy, Thrawn has the potential to plunge the New Republic into war once again.
1. DARTH VADER
Once the heroic Jedi Knight named Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force. Forever scarred by his defeat on Mustafar, Vader was transformed into a cybernetically-enhanced Sith Lord. At the dawn of the Empire, Vader led the Empire’s eradication of the Jedi Order and the search for survivors. He remained in service of the Emperor — the evil Darth Sidious — for decades, enforcing his Master’s will and seeking to crush the Rebel Alliance and other detractors. But there was still good in him…
