Gwendoline Christie And Rian Johnson Have Developed A Backstory For Captain Phasma

Captain Phasma

It's no secret that Captain Phasma wasn't the most developed character in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In fact, it's pretty fair to say that she was something of a disappointment, never adding up to much more than a cool look. Hopefully, she can turn popular opinion around in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is looking to take us deeper into the minds of several returning characters. One of those could be Captain Phasma, as Director Rian Johnson worked with Phasma actor Gwendoline Christie in developing Phasma's backstory and really getting into the meat and potatoes of who this character really is.

Rian and I did have long conversations about this character and who she was, and I was utterly delighted in how willing he was to listen to my ideas and really thrilled to exchange them with him and hear his. He really is a master writer and director, and I think we've seen that in the films that he's made but I think that we truly will see that in the depths to which he goes in The Last Jedi.

Gwendoline Christie was present at the 2017 TV Critics' Association press tour where she was promoting her role in Top of the Lake: China Girl. While there, Christie sat down with IGN to dish on some Star Wars deets. Considering that Phasma's biggest contribution to Star Wars was getting thrown in the trash, the character is due for some redemption, something that Christie and Lucasfilm seem to be well aware of. She's been working with Rian Johnson on Phasma's backstory and what drives her, which will at least make for a more well-rounded character. Being classically trained, knowing more about Phasma's history will allow Christie to deliver a better performance. Hopefully, Christie will get more opportunities to do this than she did in The Force Awakens.

As to whether or not we see or learn about this backstory in the movie is unknown, but there are upcoming Phasma-related materials that will be covering that end. Pretty soon, everything is going to be coming up Phasma. The First Order Captain has her own companion novel coming up, Phasma, which will explore her backstory. In addition, she's got her own comic mini-series, Captain Phasma, in the works. The comic will take place in between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, and will explain how Phasma escaped from the dreaded trash compactor and the destruction of Starkiller Base. There certainly won't be a lack of the character on the road to the release of The Last Jedi.

We'll know for sure if Captain Phasma has been cured of Boba Fett Syndrome when Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15, 2017. To learn more about the hugely anticipated sequel, check out everything we know so far. For more updates on the movie, keep it right here at CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

Matt Wood

Matt has lived in New Jersey his entire life, but commutes every day to New York City. He graduated from Rowan University and loves Marvel, Nintendo, and going on long hikes and then greatly wishing he was back indoors. Matt has been covering the entertainment industry for over two years and will fight to his dying breath that Hulk and Black Widow make a good couple.