How the ‘Phasma’ Novel Connects to ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’

Lauren Gallaway
Movies Star Wars
Movies Star Wars

With the arrival of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it’s important to know how some of the film’s characters became part of the narrative. For instance, how did Kylo Ren team up with General Hux? How did either of them meet Supreme Leader Snoke? How did Captain Phasma become part of the First Order? Some of these questions are answered in Delilah S. Dawson‘s tie-in novel Phasma, particularly the backstories of Phasma and Hux. Let’s take a look at how this novel connects to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

First Order Foundations

Captain Phasma Star Wars The Last Jedi Pic
Captain Phasma stands guard on a First Order base in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi.'

After the 30 year gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, we were introduced to the newest threat in the galaxy, the First Order, but where did they come from? As Lor San Tekka so astutely pointed out to Kylo Ren in the film, “The First Order rose from the dark side, you did not.” The First Order’s ride from the ashes of the Empire is something that can be explored in two tie-in novels: Phasma and The Aftermath TrilogyWhile The Aftermath Trilogy lays the groundwork for the First Order, Phasma dives into the details, specifically the relationships between Hux, Phasma and Hux’s father, Brendol Hux.

According to Phasma, the First Order sent Brendol Hux into the far reaches of the galaxy to recruit for their cause. When his ship crashed on Parnassos, Phasma’s planet, Phasma presented herself to him as her planet’s strongest warrior. Phasma helped Brendol find his ship and pledged herself to the First Order.

Captain Phasma and General Hux

Hux Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Hux returns for 'The Last Jedi.'

After Phasma helps Brendol find and repair his ship, he flies her to join the First Order. While that might sound like a nice tale of “a father figure rescuing Phasma from her home planet,” it quickly turns into a horror story. Once Phasma is in the First Order, she befriends Brendol’s son, Armitage — yes, Armitage AKA General Hux (as played by Domhnall Gleeson in The Force Awakens.) Together they conspire to kill Brendol, which helps Armitage rise in the ranks of the First Order very quickly.

In The Force Awakens, we saw Kylo Ren question Hux about using a Clone Army. Hux defended his use of stolen children, however, because that’s how his father first recruited soldiers. General Hux is a lot like his father — traits that are explored in greater detail in Phasma. Since Phasma helped kill Brendol Hux, she remains in General Hux’s confidence in a way no other person is, except maybe Kylo Ren. The three of them make up the First Order’s top structure of leadership, under Snoke.

These three characters, along with Snoke, will make up The Last Jedi‘s main villains. While Rey is poised to face off against Kylo Ren again, Finn is long overdue for a rematch against Phasma. The Resistance leaders Poe and Leia will be fighting Hux tactically and Snoke seems to be Luke’s complete opposite. Be sure to check out the Phasma book if you want to learn more.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in the UK on December 14 and in the US on December 15, 2018.

Lauren Gallaway
TV editor at FANDOM. Creator of The Marvel Report. Journalist, Comic-Con reporter, Podcaster.