‘Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker’ Killed A ‘Return Of The Jedi’ Hero And You Probably Missed It
One of the more frustrating aspects ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkeris how many extra details there are that need to be discovered outside of the movie, whether it’sfrom the visual dictionaryfor the movie orfrom co-writers Chris Terrio and J.J. Abramsthemselves. As time goes on, it only seems to be getting worse, including a recently confirmed death that is quickly glossed over in the film’s climax, and it involves the demise of a Rebel hero fromReturn of the Jedi.
Our contributingStar Warsexpert Bryan Young recently noticed that Rebel pilot Nien Nunb seems to meet his end when the Tantive IV, the ship captured by a Star Destroyer in the opening ofA New Hope, is blown up inThe Rise of Skywalker’s climactic space battle. It seems to be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, because I don’t recall any such demise for the alien character. If you think there’s a chance that Bryan might be mistaken, there’s further confirmation.
Rae Carson, the writer of the forthcomingStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkernovelization (which will include expanded details and scenes not in the movie), confirmed that Nien Nunb does indeed perish during the final battle (viaCinemaBlend):
Even Carson says that you have to keep your eyes peeled to see Nien Nunb’s final moments, so it must happen pretty quickly. Word on the street is that it happens just before the scene where Rey hears all of the Jedi voices in her head.
Nien Nunb is a Rebel hero who flew the Millennium Falcon with Lando Calrissian in the final space battle to destroy the second Death Star inReturn of the Jedi. He also returned as a pilot inThe Force Awakensin the fight against Starkiller Base, and he had a role in the Battle of Crait inThe Last Jedias well. He’s a minor character, but thanks to his delightful laugh and unique look, he’s a fan favorite.
Honestly, it’s a real shame that Nunb had to go out so unceremoniously, especially for a movie that acts as a farewell for so many characters. It’s part of the overall problem thatThe Rise of Skywalkerhas as it moves far too quickly for anyone to have any significant time to let moments like this resonate. That includes some of the big plot points and story turns that come at breakneck speed without slowing down.
UPDATE: For what it’s worth, Nien Nunb actor Mike Quinn seems to think that he might have survived, or at the very least, the death scene didn’t make it into the movie:
