Gran

For other uses, see Gran.

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"The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed."

―Aks Moe^[4]

Gran were a sentient humanoid species native to the planet Kinyen,^[9] but had colonies on many worlds such as Malastare,^[12] Hok,^[8] and Varkana.^[16] Identifiable by their three eyes and goat-like snouts, Gran also had small antennae-like nubs on the tops of their head and thick, bulky hands that could either have six large digits or five suction-cup-like digits.^[1] Members of this species included the Podracer pilot Mawhonic,^[5] the Galactic Republic senators Ask Aak,^[17] Philo,^[7] Kharrus,^[2] as well as the criminal Ree-Yees, who worked for Jabba the Hutt.^[6]

Biology and appearance

Gran were a sentient humanoid species identified by their goat-like faces and three eyes. Their heads were topped with four antennae-like nubs, two of which were short and straight, and another set that were longer and curved. Gran could have diverse builds, generally falling into two distinct body shapes, one being fat-bottomed and rotund at their mid-section^[4] while the other being skinnier and have proportions similar to a human.^[18] The former variant also had hands that featured six slender digits,^[4] though the latter type generally possessed either smaller, human-like hands or fatter hands with thick digits that ended in flat suction-cup-like appendages.^[18] Gran had two stomachs^[8] and could live for several centuries.^[19]

Society and culture

Gran originated from the planet Kinyen,^[20] though migrated and adapted to colonize many worlds including Malastare,^[12] Hok, and Varkana.^[20] The Gran who remained on Kinyen primarily sustained an economy centered on agriculture and livestock.^[20] On Kinyen, the houses on each wedge-shaped farm were typically situated at the narrowest point of the property, fostering a sense of community among the inhabitants.^[9] Many farmers on Kinyen practiced a religion called Doellinism.^[9] Houjix were rumored to be a popular pet on Kiynen.^[13]

Kinyen was represented by the Gran in the Republic Senate, with Kharrus and then Philo^[20] having served as senators at different points during the Clone Wars.^[7]^[2] Although the Dug were native to Malastare and controlled the planets natural fuel reserves,^[12] it was the Gran that represented the world in the Galactic Senate^[13]^[20] via the Congress of Malastare^[4] after the Galactic Republic awarded them ownership of the planet in the Gran Protectorate Act.^[12] Ultimately, however, at least two Dugs were able to join the ranks of the Congress of Malastare.^[21]

History

During the Old Republic-era, the Gran embarked on an expansion effort, during which Gran colonists arrived on and began the colonization of the planet Malastare. There, they met great resistance from the native Dugs in the fierce Dug-Gran conflict. In the end, the Gran faction held greater sway with the Galactic Republic and took effective control of Malastare under the Gran Protectorate Act.^[12]

Gran in the galaxy

Jedi and politicians

At least one Gran was known to have served as a Jedi Knight.^[20]^[22] Several Gran held notable positions within the political sphere of the Galactic Republic, including Malastare politician Ainlee Teem,^[20] Malastare's senator Aks Moe, who served until his assassination,^[20] and Ask Aak, who succeeded Moe.^[20]^[17] During 32 BBY,^[23] when a crisis on Naboo was brought to the senate's attention, Moe agreed with the accused Trade Federation representative Lott Dod that a survey should be conducted in order to validate the Naboo queen's claims. When the queen instead led the Senate into a Vote of No Confidence against Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, Teem attempted to run for Chancellor but lost to Sheev Palpatine.^[4] During the intergalactic Clone Wars,^[2] Senator Kharrus of Kinyen^[20] led a ransom mission to the planet Florrum, but was killed when his shuttle was shot down by pirates.^[2] Philo, who replaced Kharrus, was murdered by the bounty hunter Cad Bane when Bane took members of the senate hostage in a bid to free the imprisoned Hutt Ziro.^[7]

In 14 BBY^[24] A Gran senator of Malastare, Maklooq,^[25] was killed when a speeder fell on her and her partner while they were in a park on Coruscant during a fight between Darth Vader and two Inquisitors.^[26]^[25] One Gran senator active during the New Republic Era was seated on the Senate Oversight Committee during Ahsoka Tano's quest to find Ezra Bridger^[27] in 9 ABY.^[28]

Civilian and criminal spheres

One famous Gran was the Podracer Mawhonic from Hok, who flew in the 32 BBY Boonta Eve Classic Podrace.^[20] Mawhonic flew a green Podracer that was maintained by a Gran pit crew, but despite a strong starting position, Mawhonic crashed in the first lap of the race due to the aggressive, combative racing style of the Dug pilot Sebulba.^[4]

Several Gran were known to have worked for the crime lord Jabba the Hutt.^[20] When Jabba's son Rotta was kidnapped during the Clone Wars, Jabba hired a Gran bounty hunter to retrieve the Huttlet. Along with several other bounty hunters, the Gran made it to the planet Teth, but was decapitated by the kidnappers and had their head returned to Jabba.^[29] By the year 4 ABY,^[30] the Gran Ree-Yees became a member of Jabba's court and cared for Jabba's pet frog-dog Buboicullaar.^[31] and was killed onboard the Khetanna, Jabba's sail barge, when it was destroyed by the Jedi Luke Skywalker during the Rescue of Han Solo.^[18]

Behind the scenes

The hands and static mask prop for Ree-Yees

The Gran species originated from the character Ree-Yees,^[6] who first appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.^[18] The character was designed by Chris Walas, who crafted various maquettes for the creature shop during the production of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi .^[32] This initial version of the design was realized as a maquette sculpted by Walas.^[33]^[34] The creature was originally nicknamed Three Eyes^[34] and is referred to in a costume sketch by Nilo Rodis-Jamero by the same name.^[35] This concept was taken and turned into^[32] two^[36] full scale rubber masks for the film.^[32] one static mask was made for background shots and one was made with wires which could manipulate the eyes of the mask.^[36] Dave Carson sculpted at least one of these masks.^[34] The masks were worn by Paul Springer in the palace and sail barge scenes during filming, though another extra Richard Bonehill also wore the mask for background shots on the sail barge.^[37]

Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace featured an updated animatronic Gran design with dynamic lips, mouth, eyes, and eyestalks, with at least two of these masks having been made for the film.^[38] The masks were used for Mawhonic and Aks Moe.^[4] These masks were reused throughout both Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones^[39] and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.^[40] Additionally, this new dynamic design scrapped the armadillo-like suctioned hands, the new mold bearing little resemblance to the one used in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi,^[18]^[4] though the aforementioned suctioned hands would later reappear in the third episode of the television series Star Wars: Ahsoka.^[27]