Jabba the Hutt is one of the most iconic characters from the films of Star Wars. But how did this admittedly somewhat ridiculous-looking creature gain so much power?
Jabba the Hutt, whose full name is Jabba Desilijic Tiure, made his first appearance in the very first film of Star Wars. However, he originally appeared in a deleted scene that was only included in later cuts. Initially, Jabba was portrayed by a human, but since his appearance in Episode 6, he has been what he was always meant to be: a Hutt.
This species most closely resembles a reptile that appears wrinkled and heavy. Hutts are sluggish, and Jabba is the best example of this: He often lies around somewhere being entertained, threatening others, or negotiating deals. For instance, in Episode 6, he can be found in his palace on Tatooine, complete with dancers and plenty of music.
Given his appearance, some may wonder how the grunting reptile made it to the top of the underworld. Jabba’s secret to success consists mainly of three points.
Point 1: Jabba has a vast network
To understand why the Hutts became so powerful, it is essential to know that this species is organized into clans. They engage in various criminal activities across many different planets.
The Hutts are known as a ruthless people, and when they come together and organize, this aspect is further supported, similar to a mafia organization. Jabba has been acting criminally from Tatooine early on and has worked his way up to become a crime lord. As a result, he gained significant wealth, which is known to quickly attract friends.
However, even individuals who do not belong to his people are part of a tightly knit network that ensures Jabba has so much influence.
This includes smugglers like Han Solo, who Jabba cheated out of over 224,000 credits during the Galactic Civil War, i.e., during the time of Episode 4. Since that is a lot of money in Star Wars, the Hutt put the bounty hunter Greedo on Han Solo, who was supposed to kill him. How that ended shows Episode 4 – Greedo meets his end.
Jabba’s network also includes other well-known bounty hunters like Boba Fett, who works for him in Episodes 5 and 6 and brings Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, to the Hutt. Jabba also had contact with the bounty hunter Cad Bane during the Clone Wars and hired him to free his uncle from Republic custody.
Others, such as spies and merchants, also support this network, providing crucial information and ensuring that Jabba is never left alone.
Point 2: High influence through tremendous wealth
Jabba is not only well-connected but also very wealthy, which gives him a special status in the galaxy. As a crime lord, he controls large parts of Tatooine but also other planets. Thus, he has influence over trade, smuggling, and other lucrative areas like gambling.
Much in the galaxy can be bought with money – including friends, as mentioned above. He can bribe authorities and is politically difficult to pin down. On one hand, he makes deals with the Republic – for instance, when at the beginning of the Clone Wars, he asks the Jedi to rescue his kidnapped son. On the other hand, he negotiates with sinister figures like Count Dooku, who tried to convince Jabba that the Jedi were planning to betray the Hutts during the Clone Wars.
During the Galactic Civil War, i.e., episodes 4-6, there was an agreement between Jabba and the Empire, in which the Hutt was to provide cheap materials for the reconstruction of the destroyed Death Star. In the course of these negotiations, Jabba even dared to attempt an assassination on Darth Vader and have him thrown into the Rancor pit – because he wanted the bounty placed on the Sith Lord.
Of course, the attempt failed, and Vader forced the powerful crime lord into a deal. Nonetheless, this also shows: Jabba works with completely different parties. The Empire tolerates him due to his criminal activities, and he evades the control of the former Republic because Tatooine is in the Outer Rim – at the edge of the galaxy – and thus not within the Republic’s sphere of influence.
Point 3: Jabba is a cruel criminal
A good network and money are one thing, but one’s reputation is another. Jabba was keen early on that both his friends and his enemies know how cruel he can be. In this way, he could demonstrate his power, punish betrayal, or prevent it preemptively.
Perhaps the most famous example is the Sarlacc pit near his palace, shown in Episode 6, where the heroes like Luke, Leia, and Han are almost fed to it. Through the brave intervention of Luke and R2D2, they are saved, and others, like Boba Fett, met their end in the pit. The scene also contains a small film error – read more about this on MeinMMO.
By the way, Jabba met his end right there: Leia strangled him with the chain with which the Hutt had bound her. Aside from this last event in the life of the crime lord, he always dealt very harshly and brutally with his enemies. He killed them, tortured them, made them fight for their survival – either against the Rancor in the dungeon of his palace, or held public executions, as in the case of Episode 6.
These three points are crucial for Jabba’s high status in the galaxy. Even if he may not seem too threatening at first glance, no one should underestimate him, as his power is quite significant. On MeinMMO you can find four more aliens that may seem just as ridiculous as Jar Jar Binks at first glance – even though, like Jabba, they might have more to offer.
