Star Wars: 10 Fascinating and Frightening Things About Captain Phasma
Captain Phasma, the most feared commander of the First Order outside of Kylo Ren himself, is probably the most under-used and intriguing character in all the Star Wars universe. A reputation like her's is enough to make any trooper or resistance fighter quake in their boots, and rightfully so.
With her appetite for power and blood, Phasma is truly a nightmare in silver, but there's more to the woman behind the mask than meets the eye. To what extent has she gone in her pursuit of positon and command, and where does her threatening aura come from? All it takes is a bit of attention and a book by Delilah S. Dawson to find out.
10 She Comes From a Tribe of Viking-like Warriors
In her book, Phasma, authored by Delilah S. Dawson, gives the mysterious captain a gripping and grueling origin story. Hailing from the planet Parnassus, Phasma and her brother were leaders of a clan called the Scyre. The Scyre were a tribe of cliff-dwelling warriors who relied on the strength of the clan—and some scrap-made bladed weapons—to survive against a rival clan of Dugs. No doubt this environment conditioned her to achieve warrior status.
9 She Murdered a Dug Chieftain with a Poisoned Blade
Though the Scyre were a fierce people who most decidedly didn't give up without a fight, there were certain lines they did not cross. Phasma, however, was not so reserved in her methods.
She not only killed the Dugs' chieftain, but she did it with fiendish impunity that would rival that of any Darth of the Sith Empire. She used a handmade dagger laced with a poisonous lichen which led to his demise. Though the victory was earned, so was the suspicion of her clan.
8 She Gravely Wounded Her Own Brother to Join a Warrior Clan
The lengths Phasma will go to ensure her own survival were as dire from the very beginning. Before she and her brother Keldo were leaders of the Scyre, they were part of another village. Knowing her survival chances were better if they joined the Scyre than being left to die, she wounded her brother, leaving him crippled, so he wouldn't resist and that the Scyre would mercifully take them in.
7 She Was Inspired by Phantasm’s Tall Man
The name "Phasma" might seem to evoke the thought of her ghostly silver armor she wears whenever she's seen. But, both her unique name and color scheme share a common factor.
The 1979 horror film Phantasm featured the mysterious Tall Man and his deadly silver Orb. Taking inspiration from the character and his weapon of choice, J.J. Abrams brought fans the silver specter of Phasma to the big screen.
6 And Brienne of Tarth From Game of Thrones
Of course, Phasma would only be half as intimidating and powerful as she is if she went on her looks and design alone. Someone has to be inside that shiny silver suit, after all, and Gwendoline Christie of Game of Thrones fame was just the woman/warrior the filmmakers needed for the role.
Being a prominent cast member of the famous fantasy series, a certain element of Brienne of Tarth had to carry over into her performance, and her fierce commanding presence is evidence enough.
5 As Well As Boba Fett
Of course, Star Wars has taken inspiration from itself before, and Phasma is no exception. It would be untrue to say her stoic and calm demeanor paired with her stand-out armor and cape combo didn't remind many fans of another mysterious masked figure under the Emperor's employ.
Her cape alone is said by many to be a reference to the legendary Boba Fett. The Mandalorian mercenary does have a few similarities with the captain of the First Order, and it's certainly a pleasing nod.
4 She Has Her Own Custom Blaster
At first glance, Phasma's blaster might just look like the standard-issue laser rifle given to all troopers in the First Order. However, her Sonn-Blas F-11D blaster rifle is packing a bit more than the weapons of her underlings. It's most notable addition is the increased firepower, but it also lacks a trigger guard, allowing for her to wield it with both hands for stable firing. But, her weapon alone is only scratching the surface of her armory.
3 Her Armor Is Made From One Of Palpatine's Old Ships
The most recognizable feature about Phasma herself is that unique chrome armor she sports from the very beginning. Even with the First Order's taste in intimidating fashions, that chrome attire had to be something exceptionally special—and it was, because Phasma built it herself.
In the novel Phasma, she builds her armor out of the remnants of one of Palpatine's former spacecraft. This is not only a symbol of her rags-to-riches story, but a visible and prominent status symbol, as well. She's not only the highest-ranked of the troops, but she outshines the officers, as well.
2 She Organized a Murder Plot with General Hux
One might also be wondering just what the mysterious captain did to acquire her notorious position? The novel also goes into great detail on her rise to power, but the most heinous act under her chrome-plated belt was the murder of General Brendol Hux.
Not only did she poison the First Order officer who led her to glory, but she did so with the assistance of his son, Armitage Hux, seen in the films. Not even her beloved First Order is safe from her ambition.
1 She Turned On Her Own Troops When Threatened By Finn
Although this is a deleted scene and not technically canon, it shows how far Phasma's pride is willing to take her. When Finn finally confronts his former commander, he lets it slip that it was Phasma that let the defenses down on Starkiller base. When she sees her men begin to have suspicions, she blows them all away! Cold and cruel as ever, Phasma's only ever in it for herself.