Nien Nunb
Nien Nunb | |
---|---|
Star Wars character | |
First appearance | Return of the Jedi (1983) |
Last appearance | The Rise of Skywalker (2019) |
Created by | George Lucas Lawrence Kasdan Richard Marquand |
Portrayed by | Richard Bonehill |
Voiced by | |
Performed by | Calrissian-Nunb Mines (Legends continuity exclusively) |
Affiliation | |
Homeworld | Sullust |
Nien Nunb is a fictional character in the
Within the fictional Star Wars universe, Nien Nunb is an arms dealer of the
In the years since Return of the Jedi's release, the character went on to become a fan-favorite, and has made appearances in various works within the
Creation and portrayal
Nunb's name originated from the fact that he was referred to as "Number Nine" on creature packaging. In an interview,
Nien Nunb was brought to life by both a puppeteer and as a costumed-actor during the film. Initially, he was just to appear in the briefing room scenes, and the Endor celebration. For these appearances, he was portrayed by stuntman Richard Bonehill, in costume and mask. However, Nunb was later chosen, by series creator George Lucas, to appear in the Millennium Falcon, as Lando Calrissian's co-pilot. Since the character now had dialogue, it was decided that the mask would be reworked into a puppet, with mechanisms to allow for moving lips and eyes. For these scenes, in the cockpit, the role was handed over to puppeteer Mike Quinn.[1]
The character was voiced by
Quinn returned to the role for The Force Awakens, without Bonehill, who died in February 2015. Rotich was also tracked down in his native Kenya, by actor Christian Simpson, to voice the character again.[3]
Appearances
Films
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Nunb is introduced as a member of the Alliance Fleet, selected to fly as co-pilot to General
With Nunb and Calrissian in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon leading the attack, the Alliance Fleet arrives over Endor to find that the shield generator is still operational, quickly realizing that the battle is a trap set by
The Force Awakens (2015)
Mike Quinn confirmed on October 19, 2015 via Facebook that he would return in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Nien Nunb. Later on December 6, the character's appearance was seen in a TV spot for the film. Kipsang Rotich also reprised his role as the voice for Nien Nunb, having been tracked down by actor Christian Simpson.
In the film, when the First Order destroys the Hosnian system with the Starkiller Base superweapon, the Resistance base on D'Qar becomes the next target. Quickly establishing a plan to destroy Starkiller Base, Nunb, along with the rest of the Starfighter Corps, flies to the planet in an attempt to destroy its thermal oscillator and disable the weapon. During the battle, many Resistance pilots are killed before the oscillator is destroyed by Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Nunb is one of seven surviving X-wing pilots, and he celebrates with the rest of the Resistance upon returning to D'Qar.
The Last Jedi (2017)
Mike Quinn reprised his role as Nien Nunb in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the second installment of the sequel trilogy. Kipsang Rotich, on the other hand, did not, because the character doesn't have any lines in this film.[4]
In the film, Nien Nunb evacuates alongside his fellow soldiers from the Resistance base of D'Qar, and is present aboard the MC85 Star Cruiser Raddus during the battle of the Resistance's bombers against the First Order. Nunb later escapes offscreen alongside Leia and other Resistance members to the old Rebellion base on the planet of Crait. On Crait, Nien pilots a ski speeder along with Poe Dameron, rogue
) and X-wing pilot C'ai Threnalli. He (along with Poe, Threnalli and Tico) has to bail out as the superlaser siege cannon, which they were trying to destroy, becomes too powerful. Nunb is seen at the end of the film talking with Finn as the remaining members of the Resistance escape from the clutches of the First Order once more.The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Over one year since the last fight with the First Order, Nien Nunb follows the Resistance to relocate to Ajan Kloss, where they discuss how they are going to defeat the resurrected
Comics
Princess Leia (2015)
In the comic
Later in the mission, Leia turns herself over to Imperial Commander Dreed on the desert world of Skaradosh in exchange for the release of Tula, an Imperial officer from Alderaan; Tula's sister, Tace, is part of Leia's group of refugees and Tula secretly manipulates her sister for information about Leia's whereabouts. Before she can be taken captive, the Mellcrawler arrives to rescue her, with Nunb having slipped the ship onto the planet without the orbiting Imperial forces noticing. Leia thanks Nunb for his efforts, but he says that the real test would be making it past the Imperial forces alive. Nunb launches a decoy to fool the Imperial vessels, leaving them to follow the sensor decoy as the Mellcrawler avoids their detection. The trick is successful and the Star Destroyer crew believes the Mellcrawler has been destroyed, and Leia with it. At that moment, a fleet of Alderaanians from Espirion arrive to assist Leia. The arrival of the fleet allows the Alderaanians to destroy the Star Destroyer, and the Alderaanian fleet escapes the wrath of the Empire. Nunb later attends a celebration to celebrate the success of the mission to unite them.[7][8]
Video games
Nien Nunb appears as a playable Hero character in the Outer Rim expansion pack for the video game Star Wars Battlefront (2015). He is a "Unique" unit in the 2017 free-to-play mobile game Star Wars Force Arena by Netmarble. He is partnered with Lando Calrissian. He also appears as a playable character in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Misc
Nein Nunb also appears in the 2019 attraction “Star Wars: Rise of The Resistance” and in "Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge" at
References
- ^ "Mike Quinn Interview: Nien Nunb". Star Wars Interviews. January 2010.
- ^ Tunoi, Kevin (November 14, 2014). "We have found Bill Kipsang Rotich of Hollywood 'Star Wars' movie". SDE.
- ^ Simpson, Christian (May 10, 2016). "The Road to Rotich: Finding Nien Nunb, Part 1". Star Wars.com.
- ^ Ward, Jason (February 4, 2016). "Star Wars Mega Legend Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb) to return for Star Wars: Episode VIII!". Making Star Wars. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ Ward, Jason (January 8, 2020). "Another Star Wars Fan-Favorite Character Is Confirmed To Have Died In The Rise Of Skywalker". Cinemablend. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (March 4, 2015). "Star Wars: Princess Leia #1 Review". IGN. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (July 1, 2015). "Star Wars: Princess Leia #5 Review". IGN. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ "Princess Leia #5". Comic Book Resources. July 6, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
External links
- Nien Nunb in the StarWars.com Databank
- Nien Nunb on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki