star wars the force awakens

There have been a lot of theories about the new ‘Star Wars’ series. We want to know who Rei’s dad is, how Captain Phasma will return, who Snoke is, and whether or not Kylo Ren is going to Prince-Zuko it and become a part of BFFs Brigade (Rey, Finn, Poe).

But honestly. I’m more concerned about Admiral Statura.

Yeah. Admiral Statura.

Don’t remember him? I do not blame you. His screen time was about… 30 seconds? Maybe?

He's the one in the middle.
He’s the one in the middle.

Honestly, I just happened to be paying attention because his actor is Ken Leung, who played one of my favorite characters ever created: Miles Strom from ‘Lost’.

Who, by the way, ironically made fun of ‘Star Wars’ in the TV show.

But that’s beside the point. We’re here to talk about ‘Star Wars’.

Now, there are a few reasons I think Admiral Statura is going to be important in the future, and why I’m a little disappointed in the lack of speculation when it comes to him.

First of all, Ken Leung has a surprisingly big credit for how small his part is. In fact, he’s billed on the same screen as Gwendoline Christie, who was the amazing Captain Phasma. We also know that Christie’s role is expanding hugely next episode. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to think that Leung’s might too.

Secondly, when the Starkiller Base is destroyed, the camera doesn’t focus on Leia like you would expect. It focuses on Statura. JJ Abrams is not known for gratuitous shots, so it’s bit strange for our attention to be direct to a minor character’s frankly ambiguous reaction.

Finally, because he isn’t elated or relieved as one would expect, but rather vague in his reaction to the base exploding, I think it is safe to say that he has some sort of personal connection to it.

Come on! What does this even mean?
Come on! What does this even mean?

I think it’s safe to say there is good reason to think Statura’s role will be expanded. But to what? Well, I have two theories:

  1. Statura is a double agent, and not at all pleased the base was destroyed but he can’t show it. His participation in the attack on it may have been because he felt that they would all die, and there was no reasonable way they could destroy the base with just a few X-Wings. This is probably unlikely, since it was stated in the new canon he was apart of the Rebellion as a teenager, but it is still possible.
  2. There will be a war between him Leia over leadership, as she will likely be emotionally compromised next episode. Or, alternatively, her focus shifts, and he disagrees with it, leading to a split in the Resistance.

Of course, he might also just become the next General Ackbar, and he’ll be famous for one line, but it seems unlikely with how his name was billed in the end credits.

Whatever it is, I hope it will be good. Ken Leung is an amazing actor, and I always want more characters to love in the Resistance.

May the Fourth Be with you guys!