Image via Disney/Lucasfilm
The ultimate crime boss of the desert planet of Tatooine, Jabba the Hutt finally got what he deserved and met his end while trying to have the heroes of Star Wars killed.
Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, who all saved the galaxy from Death Star doom, helped save themselves from Jabba’s doom, but there was one Star Wars hero the Hutt could not save himself from.
The Hutts and this slug thug named Jabba
Hutts are creatures best described as very oversized slugs that can talk. That alone is pretty scary, but a Hutt can also live for over 1,000 years, though they generally only live for several hundred (so young!).
Despite only initially appearing in one of the original trilogy of Star Wars films (he was later added to the re-release of the original movie), Jabba Desilijic Tiure, aka Jabba the Hutt, impacted the storyline of the first three films and still impacts Star Wars today. His palace is now occupied by Boba Fett as of the new Disney Plus series The Book of Boba Fett.
When you’re a crime lord of a desert, it doesn’t sound too intimidating, but those sands nearly cover the whole planet, and Jabba wasn’t shy about extending his power beyond Tatooine.
Han Solo costs Jabba big money
Jabba’s death takes place during the first half of Return of the Jedi, but it was technically triggered by a series of events dating back years earlier when Han Solo intentionally dropped his shipment of illegal spices that he was smuggling for Jabba. Attempting to avoid capture by Imperials, Solo thought it best to abandon the spice, saving his own tail while costing Jabba a mini-fortune.
As a result, Jabba placed a bounty on Han Solo, and our first glimpse into this storyline (if we watch only the films) was when a bounty hunter named Greedo attempted to collect on that bounty by greeting Solo at the Mos Eisley Cantina in Tatooine early in the original Star Wars film (also known as Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope). This comes moments after we first initially meet Han Solo.
Greedo has a brief and unnecessary discussion with him, as if Solo will be happy to come along with Greedo to Jabba’s Palace, which actually wasn’t too far away. Instead of immediately apprehending Solo, Greedo engages him in conversation and pays the ultimate price for his error when Solo blasts him dead with one shot. This later became a point of controversy when the re-release 20th anniversary Special Edition of the film added Greedo shooting first and completely missing a point blank shot from across the table.
Solo is then greeted by Jabba the Hutt himself just moments later. Despite greeting Solo with six armed men, including Boba Fett, Jabba simply lets him go as he takes Han for his word that he will pay him back, plus interest of course.
Han and Luke later rescue Princess Leia and, as a result, Solo is rewarded quite well for it with money. It would be smart to pay Jabba back with that money, as Han himself says in the next film, The Empire Strikes Back. “If I don’t pay off Jabba the Hutt, I’m a dead man.” This suggests that he’s been a little too busy with this whole Rebellion thing to pay Jabba, but it also shows that he intends to do so.
Solo also briefly mentions escaping a bounty hunter on Ord Mantell. Why Solo didn’t CashApp Jabba by this time is unknown, but it’s possible that he wanted to pay him cash in person to avoid galactic taxes.
Enter Boba Fett
Boba Fett, considered by many to be the elite bounty hunter in the galaxy, answers the call of Darth Vader, who says he will give a “substantial reward” for anyone who can find the Millennium Falcon, Solo’s ship. Boba can thus get paid quite handsomely for earning both a bounty from the Empire and a bounty from Jabba the Hutt.
Boba Fett soon outsmarts Solo and successfully sets a trap for him in the cloud city of Bespin, complete with a dinner with Darth Vader (aka not our kind of night out). Solo gets a frozen treat for dessert, as he is put into carbon freeze. Vader is really after Luke Skywalker and uses Luke’s friends as bait to reel him in. As Vader hangs out with Luke, Boba Fett leaves to deliver a literally frozen-in-carbonite Solo to Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine, making what is likely one of his best paydays ever.
Friends of Han Solo try to save him
After Luke barely escapes Vader’s grasp, he and Han’s other friends, including Lando Calrissian, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca, try to save him from Jabba’s Palace through sneaky ways early in Return of the Jedi. Although they do manage to unfreeze Solo (and don’t even offer him a jacket afterwards), Jabba benefits greatly when he then easily captures all of them.
Jabba demands that Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca die at the hands (or the mouth) of the Sarlacc, which can be described as a large mouth in the middle of the desert that has tentacles sticking out of it and is pretty hungry all the time. C-3PO then explains to Luke, Han, and Chewie that what will happen while they are in the belly of the Sarlacc: “You will find a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.” Personally, we think they would likely die of hunger before they’d suffer pain for a thousand years, but that’s just our humble assessment.
The end for Jabba
Luke Skywalker has other plans, and just as he’s falling from the sail barge and into the Sarlacc, he catapults himself back up (talk about last second!) and fights to save himself and his friends. During the chaos, Princess Leia notices that Jabba’s best men are jumping from his barge onto the one where Luke is fighting. Leia, who is now chained in Jabba’s barge, takes advantage of the situation.
Having been made to be Jabba’s dance slave after being captured, Leia takes the chained leash that’s attached to her neck collar and wraps it around Jabba’s neck. With no guards there to help him, and with Jabba being fairly immobile, Leia strengthens the chain with all her might until it takes the last breath of the notorious gangster.
Jabba thus did not quite make it to old age for a Hutt, as he was only a little over 600 years old at the time of his death. His right hand man, Bib Fortuna, then takes over the Palace and becomes the new crime boss of Tatooine until he is easily killed by Boba Fett, as initially seen in the post-credits scene of episode 16 of The Mandalorian.
The irony of Jabba’s death is that he is a crime lord, double-crossing people and having many killed. Yet, none of his victims or family of his victims or friends of his victims or affiliated gangs of his victims manage to kill him. No bounty hunters or hired assassins manage to kill him. Nope. None of them.
However, a princess does.
FAQs
How was Jabba the Hutt killed? ›
Later, Princess Leia comes to save Han but is captured by Jabba, who turns her into a slave. While Luke Skywalker comes to rescue them, Leia chokes Jabba to death by wrapping the chain connected to her around his neck.
When did Jabba the Hutt get killed? ›Jabba's death takes place during the first half of Return of the Jedi, but it was technically triggered by a series of events dating back years earlier when Han Solo intentionally dropped his shipment of illegal spices that he was smuggling for Jabba.
How old was Jabba the Hutt when he died? ›Zorba the Hutt's Revenge (1992), a young-adult novel by Paul and Hollace Davids, identifies Jabba's father as another powerful crime lord named Zorba and reveals that Jabba was born 596 years before the events of A New Hope, making him around 600 years old at the time of his death in Return of the Jedi.
How did Jabba the Hutt die Boba Fett? ›Did Jabba the Hutt get killed by Boba Fett? Jabba the Hutt was killed by Princess Leia Organa in Return of the Jedi. As Jabba and his thugs traveled to the Great Pit of Carkoon on his sail barge, Luke attacked Jabba's thugs during the Jedi's attempt to save Han and Leia.
Was Jabba fat for a Hutt? ›4. They're not always that obese. The word Hutt has become synonymous with gargantuan (Jabba weighs almost 3,000 pounds!), but did you know that they're not always that massive? Baby Hutts, or “Huttlets,” start out around 1 foot 5 inches (.
Who betrayed Jabba the Hutt? ›'Bib Fortuna,'Jabba's loyal lieutenant, has plotted a slave revolt against the'Hutt. We've seen how Jabba handles negotiations, now we'll see how he handles betrayal! Everyone hopes to get a big break someday, move up to the top seat in their line of work.
Did Jabba the Hutt sleep with Leia? ›Jabba the Hutt never had sex with Leia or any other slave girl in his palace because he was and had always been in love with Han Solo.
Has a Hutt ever been a Jedi? ›Beldorion was a Hutt Jedi Knight serving the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic roughly four hundred years before the founding of the Galactic Empire. After being sent to Nam Chorios, he fell to the dark side and established himself as the ruler of the planet.
Who is Jabba the Hutt's wife? ›Gardulla Besadii the Elder was a female Besadii Hutt of the Hutt Clan prior to and during the Clone Wars.
How old can a Hutt live? ›Hutts could live over a thousand years, and were considered one of the longest-lived species in the galaxy.
Did Jabba the Hutt have kids? ›
Heir apparent to the Hutt empire, Jabba's infant son was barely old enough to slither before his conniving and power-hungry great-uncle, Ziro, already had him marked for death at the time of the Clone Wars.
Who took over after Jabba died? ›In the "Chapter 4: The Gathering Storm", Bib Fortuna is Jabba the Hutt's majordomo who took over his throne after he died.
Was Jabba the Hutt a human? ›In Mulholland's scenes as Jabba, Jabba is represented as a rotund Human dressed in a shaggy fur coat. George Lucas has stated his intention was to use an alien creature for Jabba, but the special effects technology of the time was not up to the task of replacing Mulholland.
What does Jabba the Hutt eat? ›The Klatooine paddy frog was one of Jabba the Hutt's favorite snacks. In his palace, Jabba kept a special aquarium to the left of his dais in which the creatures were kept along with other amphibious delicacies. As with gorgs, the Hutt preferred to keep these creatures alive for consumption.
Why does Boba Fett sleep in water? ›In other words: Boba Fett's entire body is basically scar tissue. So it makes sense he'd spend a lot of time in the Bacta Tank. But beyond simply healing his body, it's possible Fett is also using his bathtime to heal his mind too.
How was Jabba the Hutt so rich? ›The spice trade was a major part of Jabba's empire, becoming one of the primary ways the Hutt made money. To those who respected his authority, very few, he was formally styled as "His Excellency Jabba Desilijic Tiure of Nal Hutta, Eminence of Tatooine."
How does Jabba the Hutt reproduce? ›Hutts are extremely long-lived and reproduce asexually, nursing their young in pouches like those of marsupials. Hutts have separate sexes in canon, no longer being hermaphroditic as they were in the Legends continuity.
How evil is Jabba the Hutt? ›Jabba's personality is just as vile as his outward form. He is shown to be an extremely cruel, sadistic, misogynistic, and lustful individual, and that he enjoys the suffering of those who oppose him, feeding them to his pet rancor (or the Sarlacc) while he watched, entertained.
What happened to Jabba's palace after he died? ›However, Jabba's Palace remained abandoned to the monks, and the palace of Gorga the Hutt became the new headquarters of the criminal empire.
Is Jabba the Hutt death in Boba Fett? ›In terms of the Star Wars timeline, The Book of Boba Fett takes place after Return of the Jedi. Jabba was killed toward the beginning of the film (thanks to Princess Leia) and therefore isn't alive at the time the series is set to begin.
Is Jabba the Hutt related to Boba Fett? ›
They were cousins of Tatooine crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure, and when Boba Fett usurped the throne of Tatooine from Bib Fortuna as the new Daimyo, the Twins traveled to Mos Espa and confronted Lord Fett, laying claim to Jabba's territory.
Who was Leia pretending to be? ›In the film, Leia Organa impersonates Boushh in an attempt to negotiate with Jabba the Hutt about the price of Chewbacca.
Who was Leia enslaved to? ›In "Return of the Jedi," Princess Leia, typically seen in robes, was forced into the skimpy outfit by alien gangster Jabba the Hutt after he captured her when she infiltrated his headquarters on the desert planet Tatooine. There, she was held captive with a chain -- which she eventually used to strangle Jabba.
What race is Jabba the Hutt? ›Jabba the Hutt
Is there a female Hutt? ›Hutts are hermaphrodites with either male or female personalities, appetites and appearances. They are dominantly male or female in biology. Both 'males' and 'females' gestate offspring and have both sex organs.
Did Jabba the Hutt own Anakin? ›A wily crime lord and member of the shadowy Hutt Council, Gardulla was the original owner of Shmi and Anakin Skywalker, but lost them betting with the junk dealer Watto. She watched her former slave's victory in the Boonta Eve Classic alongside Jabba.
Who is the most powerful Hutt? ›Jabba the Hutt is infamous for his sedentary appearance, but he's by far the most powerful Hutt in the Star Wars saga to this point. Jabba rules a criminal enterprise that encompasses Tatooine and is strong enough to resist the direct influence of the Empire.
How old is Jabba's son? ›In 22 BBY, during the Clone Wars, aged just 10 standard years old, Rotta took part in a pleasure cruise on his father's barge, when his escort skiffs were attacked.
What did Vader do to Leia? ›Leia's ordeal. In the rough draft of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Darth Vader tortures Princess Leia with powerful electroshocks. In the incarnation of the second draft of A New Hope, Leia is replaced by Deak Starkiller, the brother of Luke Starkiller (who would become Luke Skywalker in later drafts).
Are the Twins Jabba's kids? ›Cousins to the late, great Jabba the Hutt, a pair of fraternal Huttese siblings, referred to simply as the Twins, have designs for the criminal empire they see as their birthright.
What do Hutts eat? ›
Hutts liked to eat gorgs, slime pods, and Klatooine paddy frogs, and were also known to smoke hookah pipes.
Why is the Hutt family so powerful? ›The Hutt Clan was one of the most powerful crime families in the galaxy, making riches through smuggling and myriad illegal businesses across worlds. They were governed by the Hutt Grand Council, a committee of elder Hutts that would advise on strategy and make decisions on inter-family disputes.
How old was Yoda the Hutt? ›At 900 years old, Yoda passed away, telling Luke that there was another Skywalker. Luke's faith in his father proved to be well placed. Anakin returned from the dark side to destroy the Emperor.
Is Jabba's son stinky? ›Rotta, nicknamed "Pedunkee Mufkin" (translated as Punky Muffin) by his father and also nicknamed "Stinky" by Ahsoka Tano, was a male Hutt and the son of Jabba the Hutt.
Who ruled before Boba Fett? ›Later, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand returned to Tatooine to kill Bib Fortuna and take the throne that had once been held by Jabba the Hutt.
Who saved Princess Leia from Jabba the Hutt? ›Knowing the unlikelihood of Jabba agreeing to Luke's offer, Leia Organa enlisted the help of Maz Kanata, who recommended to disguise herself as the bounty hunter Boushh. Organa traveled to the Hutt's palace, bringing with her Chewbacca, under the pretense of negotiating for the bounty on the Wookie's head.
How old is Boba Fett? ›Thanks to Boba Fett's natural aging he is still 41 years old, even though Temuera Morrison, who plays him, is 61 years old. Boba Fett does appear to be much older but being stuck in the acid of the Sarlacc Pit and in the beating double suns of Tatooine would age anyone really quickly.
Does Jabba the Hutt have a tattoo? ›Jabba the Hutt has a Hutt clan tattoo on his right arm https://t.co/Wl0YEaet7U" / Twitter.
What does Jabba smoke? ›The hookah pipe was very popular with the Hutts, particularly those who were the head of major and powerful criminal empires. Jabba the Hutt, the infamous kingpin of the Outer Rim, almost always had a hookah with a removable lid by his side. On the top portion was a gas substance which he would inhale and exhale.
What is the monster under Jabba? ›Jabba the Hutt kept a rancor in a shadowy chamber beneath his Tatooine throne room. After Luke Skywalker killed the beast, an outraged Jabba ordered the public execution of the Jedi and his friends.
Why is Boba Fett's skin burned? ›
Then, after he escaped and his armor was stolen by Jawas, he was left for dead in the harsh Tatooine desert for an unspecified amount of time, during which sandstorms and the sun did even more damage to his skin. In other words: Boba Fett's entire body is basically scar tissue.
Why is Darth Vader in a bacta tank? ›Bacta tanks already existed during the Clone Wars, when the Galactic Republic used them to treat its injured soldiers. A bacta tank was located in Darth Vader's castle on Mustafar, where the Dark Lord would relax and meditate outside of his life support armor with a modicum of comfort.
Why is Boba Fett white? ›See, Boba Fett originally wasn't going to be a bounty hunter. He was going to be a “Supertrooper,” and the white color of the design was meant to reflect that. As time went on, however, they moved away from that idea and more towards having him as unique character.
Who replaced Jabba the Hutt after he died? ›In the "Chapter 4: The Gathering Storm", Bib Fortuna is Jabba the Hutt's majordomo who took over his throne after he died.
What was Jabba the Hutt eating? ›The Klatooine paddy frog was one of Jabba the Hutt's favorite snacks. In his palace, Jabba kept a special aquarium to the left of his dais in which the creatures were kept along with other amphibious delicacies. As with gorgs, the Hutt preferred to keep these creatures alive for consumption.
Who killed the Hutt Jedi? ›In the Legends novel Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly, there was a Force-sensitive Hutt named Beldorion who became a Jedi Knight before becoming corrupted by the dark side. He then became a crime lord on the planet Nam Chorios. He later fought and was killed by Senator Leia Organa.
What happened after Jabba's death? ›Following the death of Jabba on Tatooine, the Hutt Clan entered into a period of decline as their power waned significantly, allowing other criminal organizations to flourish in its absence.
Is Jabba alive in Boba Fett? ›In terms of the Star Wars timeline, The Book of Boba Fett takes place after Return of the Jedi. Jabba was killed toward the beginning of the film (thanks to Princess Leia) and therefore isn't alive at the time the series is set to begin.
Did Jabba have a wife? ›The will does not jibe with established canon in that Hutts do not marry, while the will claims that Jabba has no wife.
Why does Jabba the Hutt have slaves? ›Because Jabba loved her misery, her loathing, her disgust, but above all else, her struggle for independence even in the bondage of lust. Simply put, Jabba had his sex slaves because their pain was his pleasure.
Who is the oldest Hutt? ›
A Hutt named Zirchros lived to be 1,700 years old.
Why Hutt can't be killed? ›Fennec then tells Boba “You need permission if you want to kill them.” This is in reference to the Hutt Clan's well-established power in the criminal underworld. They are so connected in the criminal underworld across the galaxy that attacking one would be like attacking all of them.
What Hutt is in Boba Fett? ›Someone already wants Boba Fett dead and The Twins may have become his Number 1 enemy on Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett. Well, they are Jabba the Hutts cousins. But that's as much as The Book of Boba Fett has revealed. They appear to be fraternal twins, and not quite as large as their deceased cousin.