The Unseen Sith: An Evolution of the Most Iconic Villains in Star Wars
Long the enemy of the heroic Jedi Order, the dark side fighters known as The Sith have grown to be a constant feature of the Star Wars universe. Still, their beginnings remain unknown—even to the most fervent supporters. One particularly fascinating feature of their past is the rather late arrival of the "Sith" moniker into the franchise.
Early Days of Star Wars: A Surprising Revelation—the First Mention of the Sith
Although the Sith have been the face of evil in Star Wars for decades, none of the first trilogy movies used their name. First used in the 1976 novelizing of Star Wars: A New Hope, "Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker," credited George Lucas but ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster. With this novelizing reference to Darth Vader as the "Dark Lord of the Sith," the Star Wars canon makes first reference to the Sith.
A decade of mystery: the unknown Sith
After this first reference in the novelizing, the Star Wars universe lost "Sith" for more than ten years. Those who saw the original trilogy in the 1970s and 1980s were left wondering about the nature and relevance of the Sith. Even those engaged in producing Star Wars materials, such as Timothy Zahn hired to pen the Heir to the Empire trilogy in the 1990s, were left to consider the uncertainty around the term. Originally intending to have the Sith be another moniker for the Nohgri, a race he had developed, Zahn was interrupted by Lucas stating he had other ideas for the Sith. This emphasizes the uncertainty about the Sith during this era as well as the excitement around their ultimate disclosure.
The Sith Rise to Prominence: An Other Age Starts
With the premiere of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 1999, the much anticipated disclosure of the Sith finally materialized. Having started the prequel trilogy in the early 1990s, Lucas revealed the Sith as the Jedi Order's ancient foes at last. Examining the past of the Sith, the prequels introduced legendary adversaries including Count Dooku, Darth Maul, and—of course—Palpatine. Revealing their deep-rooted history and relentless dedication to the dark side of the Force, the Sith became more than just a title or an enigmatic group; they became a central component of the Star Wars story.
The Sith's Continuating Impact on the Star Wars Universe
With their impact felt over millennia, the Sith have evolved into a defining element in the Star Wars universe. The main villain in all three Star Wars trilogies, Palpatine's performance captures the Sith's ongoing influence. As seen in Rey's Jedi Order movie and the forthcoming Dawn of the Jedi film, both of which imply the continuous struggle between light and dark will continue to be a central theme in the Star Wars saga, so shaping the destinies of the Jedi.
Some of the most interesting characters in the franchise now center the Sith as well. The sad path Anakin Skywalker's prequel and original trilogies and Ben Solo/Kylo Ren's struggle in the sequel trilogy highlight show how Sith shapes people caught between the light and dark. Examining their roots and stressing their relevance in the modern era, even recent Star Wars television shows like The Acolyte have included the Sith into their stories. The Sith are multifarious characters who propel the story ahead, generating conflict, curiosity, and finally the change of the Star Wars universe; they are not only antagonists.
