Located in the Outer Rim, Tatooine is a distant desert world. We may think of the planet as only a home to criminals and outcasts, and not central to the Star Wars universe. However, we can make a strong argument for how Tatooine is at the center of it all. Here are 5 reasons to see it that way, including the Hutts, Anakin, Luke, and appearances in the franchise.
Table of Contents
1. The Hutts, Slavery, and Boba Fett
The Hutt family is a leading reason why Tatooine should be considered at the center of the Star Wars universe. Several fans here indicate as much and link this notorious crime family to both Anakin’s enslavement and The Book of Boba Fett.
We know the Hutt Clan as masters of illegal activities that included slavery. Before being enslaved under Watto, Shmi was purchased by Gardulla the Hutt. It was while he owned her that she became pregnant with Anakin, giving rise to the Chosen One. Anakin too was thus initially under the Hutts before both of them went to Watto.
The Book of Boba Fett did indeed focus on Tatooine, ultimately taking over the Hutt criminal empire. The Fett gotra took root on this desert planet through a power struggle with the Pike Syndicate, among other exciting adventures. Hence, Tatooine extends from the prequels to a more recent Disney+ series about the post-Return of the Jedi era.
2. Homeworld of Anakin and Luke
Coinciding with the above, we can recognize the importance of Tatooine as the homeworld of Anakin. As the Chosen One, we may have the most central character in the Star Wars saga. As a fan noted, “Even George Lucas had said that Anakin was the cause of the original trilogy and the sequels.”
Luke is in contention with Anakin as the anchor to it all. Some argue that Anakin wins out over Luke because of the Chosen One-Vader pivot. Yet, Luke was the hero of the original trilogy and played a prominent role in the sequels. We may argue that Luke’s character underwent “the most interesting arc.”
Whether you prefer Anakin or Luke, they both hailed from Tatooine and owe their arcs to that dusty planet. Without this Outer Rim world, we would not have much of a saga.
3. Obi-Wan’s Exile and Duel with Maul
Tatooine is likewise central because of Obi-Wan’s exile to the planet after his duel with Anakin. The Kenobi series brought us into those travails and elaborated on his outcast status, which A New Hope only hinted at. Videos like this one explore how Obi-Wan served as a protector of Luke for twenty years.
During his tenure as protector, Obi-Wan dueled with Darth Maul on Tatooine. We saw that showdown in Rebels, with Kenobi battling his foe once again after Maul’s previous dismemberment on Naboo. In the scene, it briefly appeared that Maul had won before we realized Obi-Wan had landed a lethal blow.
Not only does this battle on Tatooine draw together in canon the Obi-Wan and Maul rivalry, but it also reveals how Kenobi fulfilled his protector role. Without Kenobi on Tatooine, Luke may not have survived to follow his destiny.
4. Trade and Transportation
Although we think of Tatooine as only a distant outpost planet, it actually served as “the nexus of two important hyperlanes” for trade across the galaxy. Through the Triellus Trade Route and Correllian Run, Tatooine became a vital trade shipping route that linked the Mid Rim and Outer Rim Territories and the Core Worlds.
We should also note, as a post from above does, that the main spaceports of Mos Eisley and Mos Espa were important transportation links where goods were swapped across different ships. At Mos Eisley, famously, you may encounter “scum and villainy” but could also ship cargo or catch a ride on a Corellian light freighter.
5. The Most Featured Planet
One out-of-universe reason for the centrality of Tatooine is how much it has been featured in Star Wars and beyond. Not only is this planet in six of the nine movies, but it also appears in Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Book of Boba Fett. In addition, it is estimated to have “appeared or at least been mentioned in nearly 240 movies, TV shows, shorts, books,” and other media.
In comparison, the Jewel of the Core Worlds is mainly depicted in the prequels and was only briefly included in an updated version of Return of the Jedi. We see it completely fall off with the sequels as the Empire faded to the First Order.
In this Essential Planets video, Tatooine leads the list and provides glimpses into other areas that make this planet so notable, such as Jawas and Sand People, “slavery, smuggling, and sorts of criminal activity.” No wonder this planet has been depicted the most in Star Wars.
