Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ 10 Coolest Minor Characters

By now we’ve all fallen in love with the vast array of new ‘Star Wars’ characters that populated ‘The Force Awakens’.

John Boyega and Daisy Ridley’s unbridled enthusiasm injected a fresh, new energy into the series, Adam Driver had a brooding complexity to his darkness, while Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Gwendoline Christie were just as exemplary too.

But what about the cavalcade of new ‘Star Wars’ characters that might have only appeared in ‘The Force Awakens’ briefly, but still managed to capture our hearts? Well, to help you pay your respects to them, here’s a run-down of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’’ coolest minor characters.

Warning, there are a few SPOILERS ahead so proceed cautiously. Ta.

Z-6 Riot Control Stormtrooper AKA TR-8R

Currently taking the internet by storm, and proof of just how far Stormtroopers have evolved, the Z-6 Riot Control Baton Stormtrooper is also being referred to as TR-8R because he shouts “traitor!” at Finn before having a fight with his former peer outside Maz Kanata’s castle.

He looks like he’s going to come out on top too only for Han Solo to shoot him down with Chewbacca’s Bowcaster. Z-6’s backstory is explained in further detail in the ‘Star Wars’ book “Before The Awakening”, which explains how he previously trained alongside Finn.

Lieutenant Mitaka AKA First Order Officer With Bad News

Giving bad news to a superior is never good. Especially when your boss is clearly psychotic and carrying a dangerous weapon. The first officer played by Sebastian Armesto who informs Kylo that Poe Dameron has escaped with the help of a Stormtrooper does just that before then standing idly by and watching his boss emphatically destroy a work station with his lightsaber. The fact that he does so without instantly urinating or crying means he’s a better man than me. At least he didn’t get force choked.

Sidon Ithano & Quiggold

While at Maz Kanata’s cantina, Finn decides that enough is enough and tries to flee to the Outer Rim. In order to get there he seeks the help of Sidon Ithano and Quiggold, alien pirates that were actually first introduced in a short e-book story by Landy Q Walker entitled, “The Crimson Corsair and the Lost Treasure Of Count Dooku.”

Sure, they’re only in ‘The Force Awakens’ for a couple of seconds, but in classic ‘Star Wars’ fashion their back-story is more evolved and dense than most main characters from other films.

Daniel Craig’s Stormtrooper AKA JB-007

By now you’ve learned of a plethora of cameos in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. Simon Pegg, Bill Hader, Nigel Godrich, Michael Giacchino, and Thomas Sangster each pop up in one form or another. But clearly the most illustrious cameo is that of Daniel Craig, 007 himself, who plays the Stormtrooper that Rey uses Jedi mind tricks on inside the Starkiller Base.

Not just because he’s James Bond – although that helps – but because it’s actually an integral role too. But mostly because he’s James Bond.

Bala-Tik & Guavian Death Gang

Everyone knows that you don’t lend Han Solo money. While he’s the coolest cat that the galaxy has ever seen, getting money back from him is harder than finding Luke Skywalker. Led by their resolutely Scottish negotiator Bala-Tik (Brian Vernel), the Guavian Death Gang pursue Solo over a 50,000 debt that he owes them. It turns out though that Solo also made the same deal with the Kanjiklub in an attempt to swindle them both.

Solo soon finds himself caught between the two gangs. Fortunately for him though Rey accidentally releases the dreaded rathars onto the ship, who kill the Guavians and Kanjilkub alike, and leave Solo’s debt wiped free.

Officer Statura

‘Lost’ alumni Ken Leung takes the role of Senior Resistance Officer Statura, who provides calm but strong and reasoned answers as they plan out their assault on Starkiller Base from the command center on D’Qar. In fact, it was his decision to cripple the oscillator, which would then lead to the destruction of the Empire’s main weapon. He’s also greying like an absolute boss too.

Temmin ‘Snap’ Wexley

Another former ‘Lost’ star, and all round J.J. Abrams good luck charm, Greg Grunberg takes the role of Temmin ‘Snap’ Wexley, who alongside Poe Dameron and a plethora of other pilots takes part in the attack on the Starkiller Base.

Known as the Resistance Starfighter Corps’ best recon flier, Temmin Wexley even has the nickname Snap, and he has become an integral cog in the Resistance machine. He also, rather tremendously, has an air of Jek Porkins about him too, and even has his own toy.

Jessica ‘Testor’ Pava

One of bravest Resistance pilots in the galaxy, Jess Pava flies under the call sign Blue Three with Poe Dameron and Snap Wexley, which proves that she has the x-wing skills to pay the bills. She also previously performed maintenance work on C-3PO who then regaled her with stories about her idol Luke Skywalker.

Played by ‘Game Of Thrones’’ Jessica Henwick, the character is becoming more and more popular with each additional viewing and you can expect to see her in ‘Episode VIII’.

R2-KT

Prepare to get emotional, because even though R2-KT only appears in the background shots at the Resistance base, the story of why she is actually in ‘The Force Awakens’ at all will get you instantly teary. After his daughter Katie Johnson was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, Albin Johnson asked a ‘Star Wars’ fan club to help acquire a pink R2 unit that could watch over her while she slept, just like R2-D2 did with Padme in ‘Attack Of The Clones’. He then named it after Katie. Katie succumbed to cancer in August 2005, but R2-KT has since been used at countless charity events and even popped up in the ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ animated film. She’s made her feature film debut in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.

Luke Skywalker

The ultimate tease. Most of us watched ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ waiting for Luke Skywalker to pop out at any moment. But, in the end, he simply appeared in the film’s final moments looking forlorn stood atop a mountain.

Still, it was totally worth it.

Read more
- TR-8R: The Surprise Star Of The Force Awakens
- Men’s Rights Group Star Wars Boycott
- Daniel Craig’s Star Wars Cameo Confirmed

[Images via Lucasfilm/ABC/Cartoon Network]