When the iconic Star Wars title “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . . ” appears on-screen, fans buckle up for an adventure of epic proportions. Stories on the scale of Star Wars require exciting action and memorable moments from every role, including some of the fiercest, most fantastic female characters.

Here’s our list of some favorite Star Wars leading ladies with facts that showcase what a “force” they bring to the universe of films and stories.

Amidala

Padmé Amidala

As Seen In: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Home Planet: Naboo
You Know Her As: Queen of Naboo, wife to Anakin Skywalker, mother to Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa
Fun Facts:

  • Though she is known as “Queen,” she did not inherit the title – she was elected at a young age for her diplomatic skills.
  • Padmé was played by Natalie Portman, who later went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in Black Swan. But even Padmé’s lookalike handmaidens were famous actresses; some of her servants were played by Rose Byrne, Sofia Coppola, and Keira Knightley.
  • At her funeral in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Padmé wears the japor snippet around her neck, a good luck charm that Anakin first gave her in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Mothma

Mon Mothma

As Seen In: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Home Planet: Chandrila
You Know Her As: The benevolent Senator and revolutionary who rose to influence within the Rebel Alliance
Fun Facts:

  • Mon Mothma mentions “many Bothans” having perished to retrieve the secret plans to the Death Star. The Bothans was a concept created by George Lucas in the screenplay for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; however, these “Bothans” have yet to be depicted in the Star Wars universe and remain mysterious.
  • In an early, deleted storyline from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Mon Mothma worked closely with Amidala, and Senator Bail Organa, conspiring to bring about the Rebellion.
  • Mon Mothma has been played by two actresses across three films: Caroline Blakiston in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Genevieve O’Reilly in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Leia

Leia Organa

As Seen In: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the forthcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Home Planet: Alderaan
You Know Her As: Anakin Skywalker’s daughter, Luke Skywalker’s twin sister, beloved princess and respected general in the Rebel Alliance
Fun Facts:

  • In Star Wars: A New Hope, Princess Leia was kept in cell number 2187 on the Death Star, an homage to the year in which George Lucas’s previous sci-fi film, THX 1138, was set.
  • For the appearance of young Leia in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Leia was played by Ingvild Delia whose face was recreated with computer graphics to match the look of Carrie Fisher during the time of filming Star Wars: A New Hope.
  • The final line in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story comes from Leia when she says: “Hope,” which was taken from her actual audio in Star Wars: A New Hope, from the hologram delivered to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

CaptainPhasma

Captain Phasma

As Seen In: Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the forthcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Home Planet: Unknown
You Know Her As: Fearsome leader of First Order Troopers
Fun Facts:

  • Phasma is played by Gwendolyn Christie, known for her intimidating swordplay on the hit series Game of Thrones.
  • Phasma was named by J.J. Abrams, Director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, after dangerous chrome orbs used as weapons in the 1977 horror film, Phantasm.
  • Her silver armor is made of chromium salvaged from a Naboo yacht once owned by the ultimate Imperial threat, Emperor Palpatine.

Rey

Rey

As Seen In: Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the forthcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Home Planet: Jakuu
You Know Her As: Finding and wielding Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber with unexpected ability
Fun Facts:

  • Rey continues the tradition of heroes insulting the Millennium Falcon: she calls it “garbage,” Luke calls it a “piece of junk” in Star Wars: A New Hope, while Leia calls it a “bucket of bolts” in Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back.
  • To prepare for her lightsaber battle, actress Daisy Ridley trained in the bōjutsu fighting style, a Japanese martial art that is focused on the staff.
  • Rey’s speeder, which went by the code name “Bumper Car” during production, has a silhouette based on Luke Sykwalker’s landspeeder turned sideways.

SeventhSister

The Seventh Sister Inquisitor

As Seen In: Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple at Disney Parks, Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD
Home Planet: Mirial
You Know Her As: A notorious Jedi hunter for the Galactic Empire
Fun Facts:

  • The Seventh Sister’s voice is provided by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who became famous for playing another warrior woman, TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
  • The Seventh Sister hunts for Jedi using droids called ID9 seekers, nicknamed “Parrot Droids” behind the scenes, for their ability to record and mimic voices that allowed them to create distractions or lures.
  • Early on in production of Rebels, The Seventh Sister was called “Chatter,” but her name was changed after the character of “The Eighth Brother Inquisitor” was created.

Show some fan pride for your favorite Star Wars leading ladies with amazing action figures, adorable Tsum Tsum, replica costumes, and more at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. Cardmembers, remember to use your Disney® Visa® Card to shop and save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com!0 And if you’re looking to take your fandom even further, check out our iconic Star Wars options for your Disney Visa Card.0

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