'Star Wars: Forces of Destiny' Explains How Leia Let Maz Kanata

Disney/YouTube

New ‘Forces of Destiny’ episode explains how Leia met Maz Kanata

This episode fills in some important backstory for 'Return of the Jedi.'

 

Gavia Baker-Whitelaw

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Posted on Mar 20, 2018   Updated on May 21, 2021, 9:15 pm CDT

The Star Wars YouTube series Forces of Destiny is still going strong, filling the gaps between movies. This week’s episode draws a link between The Force Awakens and Return of the Jedi, introducing Leia to the mysterious Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o).

If you ever wondered how Leia devised her plan to save Han from Jabba’s palace, you now have your answer: She asked Maz Kanata for help. This totally makes sense because while Leia is a skilled military commander and politician, she doesn’t really have the same underworld connections as Han. Chewie hooks her up with Maz, who gives Leia the idea of disguising herself as a bounty hunter.

So when Leia sneaks into Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi, she isn’t just dressed as any old bounty hunter—she’s disguised as a specific guy. His name is Boussh, and he’s the only Ubese alien in the franchise.

Of course, we still don’t know how Han and Chewie met Maz Kanata in the first place. Could this be something we see in Solo: A Star Wars Story? Lupita Nyong’o wasn’t announced along with the rest of the cast, but there are persistent rumors of a cameo appearance.

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*First Published: Mar 20, 2018, 11:16 am CDT