Admiral Firmus Piett is a fictional character from the ''
Star Wars''
franchise
Franchise may refer to:
Business and law
* Franchising, a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business to franchisees
* Franchise, a privilege to operate a type of business such as a cable television p ...
, first introduced and portrayed by
Kenneth Colley
Kenneth Colley (born 7 December 1937) is an English film and television actor whose career spans over 60 years. He came to wider prominence through his role as Admiral Piett in the '' Star Wars'' films ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) and '' ...
in the 1980 film ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
''. As a supporting villain in command of
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. ''Star Wars'' creator George ...
's flagship, ''
Executor'', Piett is generally considered to be the most prominent
Imperial officer in the film.
He subsequently appeared in the sequel ''
Return of the Jedi
''Return of the Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'' is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who ...
'', making him the only officer in the
original trilogy
The original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, formerly marketed as the ''Star Wars'' Trilogy (and colloquially referred to as the 'original trilogy'), is the first set of three films produced in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, an American space opera cre ...
to appear in more than one film and be portrayed by the same actor. Piett also appears in the
canon
Canon or Canons may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Canon (fiction), the conceptual material accepted as official in a fictional universe by its fan base
* Literary canon, an accepted body of works considered as high culture
** Western ca ...
''Star Wars'' novel ''
Lost Stars
"Lost Stars" is an original song performed by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine for the romantic comedy-drama film '' Begin Again''. It was released on June 23, 2014, through ALXNDR, 222 Records, Polydor, and Interscope in the United States.
The ...
'', and is featured in several more novels, comic books, and video games within the ''
Star Wars Legends'' line.
Character
Development
Piett was a creation of
George Lucas and
Lawrence Kasdan
Lawrence Edward Kasdan (born January 14, 1949) is an American filmmaker. He is the co-writer of the '' Star Wars'' films ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980), ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983), ''The Force Awakens'' (2015), and '' Solo: A Star Wars St ...
for ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
'' and ''
Return of the Jedi
''Return of the Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'' is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who ...
''. Kasdan was aware that there was fun to be had in giving more depth and variability to his background characters, not only to help viewers identify them, but to remind his audience that much of the Empire consisted of people just doing their jobs.
Although Admiral Piett's true first appearance in the Star Wars universe was one month prior to the release of the ''Empire Strikes Back'' in the film's novelization, he was brought to life to audiences around the world by British actor Kenneth Colley, who was cast in the role. Colley recalls that ''Empire Strikes Back'' director
Irvin Kershner
Irvin Kershner (born Isadore Kershner; April 29, 1923November 27, 2010) was an American film director, actor, and producer of film and television.
He gained notice early in his career as a filmmaker for directing quirky, independent drama films ...
stated that for Piett, he was "looking for someone that would frighten
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Nazi Germany, Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his death in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the le ...
", and told Colley after meeting him, "Yes, I think you're it". In playing the role, Colley chose not to portray a singular attitude for the character; but instead attempted to bring forth a more true to life humanity in Piett's character, something that he believes ultimately sat quite well with audiences.
Appearances
Film
''The Empire Strikes Back''
Piett serves in the Galactic Empire as
first officer and
captain of the
Super Star Destroyer, ''Executor'',
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. ''Star Wars'' creator George ...
's flagship. While in search of the
Rebel base, under the command of
Admiral Ozzel, Piett receives a suspicious transmission from an Imperial probe droid located in the
Hoth
Hoth is an ice planet in the '' Star Wars'' fictional universe. It first appeared in the 1980 film '' The Empire Strikes Back'' and has also been a setting in ''Star Wars'' books and video games.
Description
Hoth is the sixth planet of a remote ...
system. Although dismissed and ignored by Admiral Ozzel, Piett supersedes his superior and informs Vader of the transmission; which in fact does turn out to be the hidden Rebel Alliance headquarters, Echo Base. Vader then dispatches the Imperial fleet to Hoth; however, Ozzel orders the fleet to exit hyperspace too close to the planet, enabling them to be detected by the Rebels, who raise an energy shield to stop any orbital bombardment. Ozzel is quickly executed by Vader for his incompetence. Vader then promotes Piett to Admiral, giving him full command of the Destroyer.
After the Battle of Hoth, Piett is tasked with the pursuit of the ''
Millennium Falcon
The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a fictional starship in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Designed by Joe Johnston for the movie ''Star Wars'' (1977), it has subsequently appeared in ''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978), ''The Empire Strikes Back' ...
'', which has escaped into a nearby asteroid field. Piett informs Vader of this, whilst Vader is in his meditation chamber aboard the ''Executor''; in doing so, Piett becomes the first onscreen character to see Vader without his helmet. Vader at first ignores Piett's concern over venturing into the field, but later commands the admiral to move the ship away from the asteroids, in order to gain a clear signal for Vader's communication with
Emperor Palpatine
Sheev Palpatine, also known by his Sith name Darth Sidious, is a fictional Character (arts), character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. Initially credited as the Emperor in the original trilogy films, ''The Empire Strikes ...
. Vader subsequently hires bounty hunters to assist in the capture of the ''Millennium Falcon'', a decision which Piett appears to disdain. With the ''Falcon'' continuing to evade capture, Vader executes Star Destroyer ''Avenger'' captain
Lorth Needa, conveying his displeasure as an ominous warning to Piett.
With bounty hunter
Boba Fett
Boba Fett ( ) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. First appearing in the ''Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978), where he was voiced by Don Francks, he is an armored bounty hunter featured in both the original and prequel fi ...
tracking the ''Falcon'' to
Cloud City on Bespin, Piett has his engineers deactivate the hyperdrive on the ship. Later attempting to escape, the ''Millennium Falcon'', and those within it, are nearly captured when Piett orders the activation of the Executor's tractor beam. However, the ''Falcon'' unexpectedly jumps to light-speed and evades capture, as
R2-D2
R2-D2 () or Artoo-Detoo is a fictional robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical ''Star Wars'' films to date. At various points throughout the course of the films, R2, ...
is able to reactivate the hyperdrive. Despite his failure, a visibly terrified Piett finds his life uncharacteristically spared by Vader at the end of the film.
''Return of the Jedi''
In the following film, Admiral Piett is in command of the Imperial fleet at the Battle of Endor, still aboard the ''Executor''. He first appears in the film when a covert team of Rebels, led by
Han Solo
Han Solo is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. The character first appeared in the 1977 film '' Star Wars'' portrayed by Harrison Ford, who reprised his role in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) an ...
aboard the stolen
Imperial shuttle, ''Tydirium'', attempt to transmit an older valid security code, to allow them
shield access and entry to the
forest moon of Endor. Piett is then interrupted by Vader, who informs Piett that he will deal with the shuttle personally.
During the Rebel attack on the
second Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional space station and Weapon of mass destruction, superweapon featured in the ''Star Wars'' Space opera, space-opera franchise. Constructed by the autocratic Galactic Empire (Star Wars), Galactic Empire, the Death Star ...
, Piett receives orders from Emperor Palpatine himself to hold position and keep the Rebels from escaping from the Death Star's fully operational superlaser. The plan is disrupted when the Rebels are ordered by
Admiral Ackbar
Fleet Admiral Gial Ackbar is a fictional character from the ''Star Wars'' franchise. A member of the amphibious Mon Calamari species, Ackbar was the foremost military commander of the Rebel Alliance, and led the attack against the second Dea ...
to attack the Star Destroyers at point-blank range, concentrating their fire on the ''Executor''. After the Rebel fleet knocks out the shields protecting the bridge, Piett commands his men to increase firepower to keep anything from getting through. A disabled
A-wing fighter then makes a
kamikaze maneuver into the ''Executor'' bridge, with Piett and Commander Gherant diving into the lower command deck. The incapacitated Destroyer then plunges into the Death Star, exploding in a plume of flame, as Piett meets his demise.
Novels
As stated in the 2015 ''Ultimate Star Wars'' reference book, Piett was born on the Outer Rim world of Axxila, and is confirmed to have the first name Firmus within the new canon. Piett later joins the Imperial Starfleet, and appears in the novel ''
Lost Stars
"Lost Stars" is an original song performed by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine for the romantic comedy-drama film '' Begin Again''. It was released on June 23, 2014, through ALXNDR, 222 Records, Polydor, and Interscope in the United States.
The ...
'', set eight years after
the Clone Wars, under the command of
Grand Moff Tarkin
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise, introduced as the main antagonist of the original 1977 ''Star Wars'' film (played by Peter Cushing). In the film, Tarkin is depicted as a high-ranking officer ...
at an Imperial annexation on the planet Jelucan.
''Star Wars Legends''
Piett has appeared in many novels, comics and video games, now considered to be non-canon and part of ''
Star Wars Legends''. He is given a much deeper backstory in these various media; As a young lieutenant, Piett impresses Vader with his skill and loyalty, and the
Sith lord soon promotes him to captain of the Star Destroyer ''Accuser'' and makes him a member of the Empire's "Death Squadron". Winning widespread respect for his survival after the events of ''The Empire Strikes Back'', Piett also participates in the Battle of Mygeeto, before the events leading to his death in ''Return of the Jedi''.
Reception
Over time, the character has become a favorite amongst fans, due to his unusual longevity.
According to Colley, the character of Piett was not originally slated to appear in ''Return of the Jedi'', but
George Lucas added him because Lucasfilm had received "a lot of fan mail" about the character.
References
External links
*
*
Admiral Pietton
IMDb
IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piett, Admiral
Characters created by George Lucas
Film characters introduced in 1980
Fictional admirals
Fictional military captains
Fictional military personnel in films
Fictional war veterans
Male characters in film
Male film villains
Star Wars Skywalker Saga characters