Summary
While much ofStar Warsfocuses on the battles between the Rebellion and the Empire, there is still a robust galaxy of individuals making their way through life. These include crime bosses who employ smugglers and bounty hunters who often come across the paths of the Jedi, Sith, Rebels, or Imperials.
The crime bosses inStar Warscan go a long way toward making their homes a better place even though they will often take advantage of many of their own people to do it. Crime bosses provide another way to make it in life without having to join a war.
10Cikatro Vizago
Leading the Broken Horn Syndicate, Cikatro Vizago took advantage of the unstable geopolitical climate during the Galactic Empire to lead one of the most successful criminal groups. He led the group on Lothal and knew how to benefit from conflict. Profits were always the most important factor in any decision he made.
Unlike some crime lords, Vizago was far from cruel. He had a friendly relationship with both Lando Calrissianand Ezra Bridger. He would ally with them if it meant more profits for his syndicate. He was untrustworthy when credits were at stake, but he wasn’t driven by any evil motivations.
9Lom Pyke
WhileThe Book of Boba Fettput the emphasis on the Pykesfor the live-action universe, this crime syndicate had been wreaking havoc on the animated universe for years. The Pykes are one of the most powerful syndicates due to their sheer size, and Lom Pyke is one of the most formidable leaders.
Lom Pyke is known to be cold and calculating in his methods. Every business decision he makes is callous and fills others with dread. Lom is able to turn the most dire situation into a profitable one through his ruthless decision-making.
8Zilton Moj
Zilton Moj was one of the many crime lords who joined Maul’s coalition. As the leader of the Black Sun crime syndicate, Zilton Moj understood how to help his syndicate grow and succeed.
Meanwhile, Moj’s physical appearance made it easy for him to intimidate almost anyone he met. He also had an inner rage that could back up the intimidating presence. He could be reckless, but his approach garnered results.
7Tasu Leech
Tasu Leech leads the Kanjiklub, and they are only briefly shown inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. This crime syndicate started as slaves to either the Hutts or the Nar Kanji until they escaped to freedom. However, because they had once been owned by crime syndicates, the free people turn to crime because it’s what they know best.
This syndicate is known for its use of makeshift weaponry and brute force. Tasu Leech won the leadership role in combat and defeated numerous underlings who rose up to challenge his authority. Tasu was known as one of the most brutal crime lords in the galaxy.
6Sorc Tormo
Sorc Tormo leads the Haxion Brood crime syndicate in one of thebestStar Warsgames,Jedi: Fallen Order. The Brood uses unconventional methods like employing bounty hunting squads and fight pits. Sorc Tormo is an expert in getting the most credits from every single opportunity.
Tormo stays out of most of the direct business dealings, like most crime lords, preferring to handle his business from afar. Still, he is one of the more charismatic crime lords introduced inStar Wars.
5Bala-Tik
While Bala-Tik and his Guavian Death Gang only got a short amount of onscreen time inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, his crime syndicate caused major problems inthe Outer Rimduring the days of the New Republic. This gang of cyborg foot soldiers was injected with chemicals that increased their speed and aggression.
Bala-Tik also tricked out his syndicated with the best weaponry and communication data streams. It takes a strong crime lord to lead a group of cyborg gangsters with enhanced aggression.
4Rinnrivin Di
This crime lord was so influential in underground circles, that he was able to rival Jabba the Hutt for power while keeping his name hidden from record books. Despite his secretive nature, Rinnrivin Di and his cartel were able to capture hundreds of ships carrying important goods throughout the galaxy.
Unfortunately, these thefts were also his undoing. Di’s criminal actions caused a diplomatic crisis forcing the New Republic to intervene. He was killed in the ensuing attack, but he left a blood-soaked legacy on many star systems.
3Maul
Following his defeat at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi,the scary Darth Maulwas no longer accepted as a Sith apprentice. He instead laid waste to Mandalore and then developed his own Shadow Collective of crime lords.
Maul was reintroduced to theStar Warsfilms with his appearance as the true leader of Crimson Dawn at the end ofSolo: A Star Wars Story. However, the animated series has shown him to have his hand in almost all the criminal underworld in theStar Warsuniverse.
2Lady Proxima
Introduced inSolo: A Star Wars Story, Lady Proxima runs Correlia, the same way most crime bosses run their own planets. She finds all the young kids who have nowhere to go and nothing to do and puts them in her employ with the promise of a better life. That’s how she entices ayoung Han Soloand his girlfriend, Qi’ra.
Lady Proxima was an opportunist who managed to become the leader of the White Worms. Her rule over Correllia is impressive when you realize the planet is ideally located for corruption whether it was during the days of the Republic or the Empire. She stood out by taking over where many other crime lords would have failed.
1Jabba the Hutt
To this day,Jabba the Huttremains the most notorious of all crime bosses introduced inStar Wars. First mentioned inA New Hope, Jabba runs everything in Mos Eisley. He employs Han Solo as a smuggler who owes him a lot of money when we first meet the lovable scoundrel. He also employs Greedo who confronts Han in the cantina.
Jabba is unforgiving when his clients owe him money. He runs Mos Eisley with an iron fist while also making his way over to Mos Espa for the pod races. Jabba controlled the majority of trafficking in the outer rim, whether it was spice, piracy, or slaves.
