Which Character/Race Is This, And Why Does It Look So Weird?

Rewatching The Phantom Menace always brings back memories, and sometimes I catch sight of background characters I didn’t notice before.

One in particular stands out during the podracing scene, this mysterious character with a face that’s hard to forget.

So, who (or what) is it? I’ve been mulling over some theories, so here’s my take on what might be going on with this odd character (you can see it at the left corner of the video below at 1:41 timestamp).

Could It Be a Givin?

One solid theory is that this character might be a Givin. Givins are a species from Yag’Dhul who look like, well… animated skeletons.

They’ve got that bony face with big, triangular eye sockets and slanted brows that make them look permanently upset.

The Givin appearance is pretty unforgettable, especially since they kind of look like a Halloween decoration that somehow gained life.

But the skeletal look isn’t just for shock factor; Givins have these sealed organs that let them survive in tough conditions – even in a vacuum, which is nuts.

Plus, they’re total math geniuses. When you greet a Givin, it’s normal to start with an equation!

Imagine meeting someone and instead of “hello,” you say, “solve for x.” They’d probably solve it in a second and shoot one back at you.

If this character is a Givin, it makes sense why it stands out. They naturally have this haunted look, which can be unsettling to others.

Not to mention, their faces are famously bony and grim, kind of like walking around with a permanent “death’s door” expression.

Or Maybe It’s a Bith?

Another good possibility is that this character might be a Bith. You know, the species with bald, domed heads and those large, glassy black eyes.

They’re the guys playing that funky tune in the Cantina Band from A New Hope.

Bith have this distinct look, mainly because they don’t have a nose, and they breathe through their skin – yeah, through their skin.

Below their eyes, they’ve got these flaps that handle their sense of smell, which only adds to their alien vibe.

What’s funny is that a Bith’s hearing is insanely good. Loud noises can actually hurt them, so you can imagine how out of place one might feel in the middle of a roaring podrace.

Maybe that’s why this Bith (if it is one) looks a little off – it’s probably wincing at every engine roar!

One reason the Bith theory holds up is that we’re just not used to seeing them without their musical instruments.

I mean, they’ve got this whole “Cantina Band” reputation now, so seeing a lone Bith in a crowd might feel like spotting your math teacher at a rock concert.

It’s a strange vibe, and maybe that’s why this one in the podracing crowd catches our eye.

Pennywise, Is That You?

Alright, here’s a fun one. If you squint and really think about it, this character kind of gives off Pennywise vibes – yep, the clown from It.

I know it sounds out there, but the resemblance is sort of uncanny, especially with that pale face and hollow stare.

Some people have taken to calling it “bald Pennywise,” which, I’ll admit, fits pretty well.

Obviously, Pennywise isn’t canon in Star Wars, but the idea of a creepy, otherworldly clown hanging out in the galaxy isn’t too far off.

Star Wars has always embraced a variety of weird and unsettling looks, so why not a Pennywise look-alike?

Or Maybe They Ran Out of Fancy Masks

Here’s my favorite explanation: it’s just a “we-ran-out-of-good-costumes” situation. Let’s face it – Star Wars background scenes are known for pulling in some quick costume fixes, especially back in the day.

Remember that some Cantina aliens were literally spruced-up Halloween masks? So it wouldn’t be shocking if they slapped together a skeleton mask and threw it into the podracing crowd.

Think about it: the main characters and close-ups get the high-quality prosthetics, but for background scenes like this, they probably used whatever they had lying around.

So if it looks a bit off or cheap, that might be why. There’s something endearing about it, though, right? A last-minute mask that still somehow became iconic – just another little piece of Star Wars magic.

So, is this character a Givin, a Bith, Pennywise, or just the product of a tight costume budget? Who knows, really.

But one thing’s for sure: Star Wars always delivers with memorable background aliens, even if they leave us scratching our heads.

So, what’s your guess? Got any theories on what species this could be? Let us know in the comment section!