Exclusive: The Hidden Origins Behind Captain Phasma's Iconic Shiny Armor Revealed!

Highlights

Captain Phasma's iconic design originally belonged to Adam Driver's Kylo Ren, but Kathleen Kennedy fell in love with it and insisted on including it in the movie.

Captain Phasma, despite her unceremonious end in The Last Jedi, continues to leave a lasting impression in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Opinions regarding Phasma's character arc and her supposed demise are mixed among fans, with numerous individuals desiring a fitting farewell or a potential comeback in forthcoming installments.

Gwendoline Christie's portrayal of Captain Phasma in the Star Wars sequel trilogy is regarded as one of the most visually captivating character designs. Clad in a sleek, silver stormtrooper-inspired armor, her appearance strikes fear in those who encounter her and evokes self-doubt in those who catch sight of their unflattering reflections in its shine. While her impactful debut in JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens is unforgettable, it was originally intended for a different character.

No matter one's opinion of Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, there is a shared belief among many that Captain Phasma deserved a more substantial role in the films. Christie's portrayal of the intimidating First Order officer quickly gained a dedicated fan following, even prior to the movie's release. Therefore, it was disheartening for fans to witness her character meet an untimely demise by plummeting into a fiery chasm in The Last Jedi with little significance attached. However, what some fans might not realize is that Captain Phasma was not even a part of the original concept for the movies; she originated from another character entirely.

In the YouTube channel Star Wars Coffee's documentary, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—Behind the Scenes, costume designer Michael Kaplan reveals that the initial design for Captain Phasma was actually intended for Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver. Kaplan describes how the concept was presented with beautiful silver illustrations, but director JJ Abrams did not envision Kylo Ren in that way. However, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy was captivated by the design and insisted that it be included in the movie. Thus, Captain Phasma was born.

Kennedy, who plays a pivotal role at Lucasfilm, played a significant part in the final design of Captain Phasma. Despite her brief appearance in the sequel trilogy, the character remains memorable, partly due to her striking appearance. It's worth noting that Gwendoline Christie's performance as Finn's former commanding officer also contributed greatly to the character's popularity.

Despite Phasma's lack of a proper character arc, The Last Jedi is arguably the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back. It brilliantly explores themes from throughout the series, but also includes divisive aspects such as Luke Skywalker's disillusionment and disconnection from the Force. Interestingly, Phasma's apparent death contributes to Finn's character development, although this was heavily criticized by fans and even the actor himself.

Perhaps another character could bring Phasma back for a more satisfying conclusion, considering that her death was not explicitly shown. While director Rian Johnson defends the film's lighter moments, Phasma's fate was serious yet unsatisfying. Many fans would appreciate a different outcome for her character. However, there is no denying that Phasma made a lasting impression on viewers of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Some remember Gwendoline Christie's performance, while others admire her distinctive and visually striking design. It leaves us to wonder how the trilogy would have unfolded if Kylo Ren had worn Phasma's armor.

Source: Disney Plus (via Star Wars Coffee/YouTube)