Star Wars: The Ortolans, Explained

Star Wars: The Ortolans, Explained

As someone who’s been a dedicated Star Wars fan since I was knee-high to a Wookiee, it’s always a delight to discover new corners of this galaxy far, far away. And let me tell you, Ortolans are one such corner that has managed to pique my interest. These quirky, elephant-like beings hailing from the frosty Orto have an intriguing history and a unique set of characteristics that make them stand out even among the diverse population of Star Wars species.


Is it still the case that Star Wars is introducing new alien species? It seems like the Mos Eisley Cantina scene has introduced every significant species the series might require in the future. While modern Star Wars productions frequently reintroduce characters from the original films, these characters don’t have to be human. Creatures such as Wookies, Twi’leks, and Rodians are common, but other types may not appear quite as often. Consider the Ortolans, for example; they may not show up frequently, but when they do, you can always hear them!

There’s so much brilliant artistry behind the aliens in Star Wars. The original Max Rebo was an actor named Simon J. Williamson in a tight suit that housed him from the waist up. Industrial Light & Magic professionals crafted that silly blue suit. Simon didn’t even receive proper credit for his work. The Max Rebo band got several new members in the 1997 Special Edition re-release of Return of the Jedi. They were computer-generated. While many artists certainly worked very hard to create those digital effects, it’s hard not to notice the difference between the CGI singer, Joh Yowza, and Simon J. Williamson dancing around in his silly little suit.

What are the Ortolans?

Star Wars: The Ortolans, Explained

As a gamer exploring the vast cosmos, I’ve come across an intriguing species hailing from Orto – the Ortolans. These guys are sort of like a blue, squat elephant, standing around 4.5 feet tall, with a good chunk of blubber to survive their icy Outer Rim planet. They speak Galactic Basic and have large black eyes, small mouths filled with tiny teeth, and the most distinctive features – long trunks and massive ears.

What are Ortolans known for?

Star Wars: The Ortolans, Explained

In the current Star Wars lore, there isn’t much information available about the Ortolan species. However, the older Legends continuity provides a bit more clarity regarding the average Ortolan’s lifestyle. Orto is a harsh planet with an extremely cold climate and scarce food resources. To endure such conditions, Ortolans accumulate large amounts of body fat. Unfortunately, Orto’s unique orbit results in a very short growing season. On the bright side, Orto is rich in heavy metals and radioactive fuel, hidden beneath its surface. It is believed that Orto suffered a catastrophic collision that changed its orbit and climate, wiping out most lifeforms over 440 pounds. As a result, Ortolans had no natural predators, which enabled them to rapidly adapt and develop new survival strategies.

ortolans are resourceful beings who excel at extracting large amounts of metal and energy resources, which they subsequently sell. In return for these valuable commodities, they import massive quantities of food. During the Clone Wars, Ortolans allied with the Confederacy of Independent Systems, but the Empire generally left them in peace as long as they continued trade with Imperial industries. The Ortolans wisely negotiated deals with both the Empire and the Rebellion, gaining extra benefits from these associations. Interestingly, Ortolans were one of the few species that prospered under Imperial rule. After the fall of the Empire, they joined the New Republic.

Notable Ortolans in Star Wars

In the Star Wars universe, Max Rebo is the standout Ortolan, leading the Max Rebo Band known for their unique Jizz music. Accompanying him are Sy Snoodles and Droopy McCool. The band’s names alone are a highlight of the series. Max plays the red ball jet organ, and although they had a few hit songs, Max never reached the status of the galaxy’s top performer. He performs in seedy clubs, many of which belong to criminals. In an interesting turn of events, Max attempted to poison his boss, Jabba the Hutt, but managed to escape when Luke Skywalker entered the scene. Most recently, Max was spotted playing at Garsa Fwip’s Sanctuary in The Book of Boba Fett. Here are a few more notable Ortolans within the franchise.

  • Azool Phantelle: Max Rebo’s brother was a petty criminal who ran afoul of Jabba the Hutt. Jabba punishes Phantelle by forcing him to work as a server on his barge until he earns back the money he stole.
  • The Dragon: This Ortolan arms dealer worked out of a planet called Anthan Prime. His cool name was a bit more than he could live up to. He supplied explosives to one of Darth Vader’s allies, only to die at Vader’s hands some time later.
  • Nem Bees: The only known Ortolan Jedi worked tirelessly to free Orto from CIS hands. He launched several successful attacks that gradually paved the way for a Republic counter-invasion. Bees sadly died in Order 66.
  • Neel: This Ortolan character will appear in Skeleton Crew later this year.

Ortolans might not boast the intricacy of Star Wars species, but they possess an endearing quirkiness. For instance, the well-liked Jizz-wailer Max Rebo is a beloved background detail, hinting at a potential depth for this species beyond mere set decoration. It’s possible that in Skeleton Crew, Neel could shine and bring the long-neglected Ortolan race into prominence once more.

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2024-08-16 21:03