Bib Fortuna is a Twi’lek from the planet Ryloth, best known as the cunning and opportunistic majordomo of Jabba the Hutt. This character, portrayed by Michael Carter in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, epitomizes the slimy underbelly of the galaxy’s criminal organizations. Serving as Jabba’s right-hand, Fortuna navigates the treacherous waters of Hutt politics with a mix of servility and subtle manipulation.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Born on Ryloth, Bib Fortuna belongs to a species characterized by their unique head-tails, called lekku. Like many Twi’leks, Fortuna hails from a culture deeply ingrained in the criminal underworld, where slavery, smuggling, and other illicit activities are commonplace. Fortuna’s early years remain largely shrouded in mystery, but ambition and cunning drove the Twi’lek into the service of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, the most powerful Hutt crime lord on Tatooine.
Jabba the Hutt’s court, located in his palace on Tatooine, is a den of scum and villainy, where only the most ruthless survive. Fortuna quickly proves useful to Jabba, becoming the Hutt’s majordomo and handling much of the day-to-day operations of the crime lord’s empire. Fortuna’s duties range from negotiating deals with smugglers to overseeing Jabba’s personal security force.
Service to Jabba the Hutt
Bib Fortuna is often seen whispering in Jabba’s ear, advising the Hutt on matters of business and security. In this role, Fortuna maintains a delicate balance between servitude and ambition. As Jabba’s majordomo, Fortuna arranges meetings, handles the smuggling operations, and even manages Jabba’s more nefarious enterprises, including slave trading.
Fortuna’s scheming nature is evident in interactions with other members of Jabba’s court. The Twi’lek constantly jockeys for position, attempting to stay in Jabba’s good graces while subtly undermining potential rivals. Fortuna’s slimy demeanor and sycophantic behavior make him a fitting lieutenant for the notoriously vile Jabba.
Despite Fortuna’s subservient exterior, ambition simmers beneath the surface. The Twi’lek undoubtedly harbors dreams of seizing power for himself, though the presence of Jabba’s more fearsome enforcers—like the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan—keeps such ambitions in check.
The Fall of Jabba the Hutt
Fortuna’s life takes a dramatic turn when Jabba captures Han Solo, encased in carbonite. The Twi’lek plays a key role in the events leading up to Jabba’s demise, overseeing the reception of various visitors to the palace, including Princess Leia (disguised as the bounty hunter Boushh) and Luke Skywalker. Fortuna’s scheming nature is on full display as he attempts to curry favor with the powerful Force-wielder, only to find himself easily manipulated by Luke’s Jedi mind trick.
Despite Fortuna’s best efforts, the chain of events leads to a disastrous confrontation at the Great Pit of Carkoon. Jabba’s arrogance and underestimation of his captives result in a catastrophic end for the Hutt and his criminal empire. Fortuna, narrowly escaping death in the chaos, flees the scene, retreating into the shadows to lick his wounds.
The Aftermath: Fortuna’s Brief Rule
Following Jabba’s death, Fortuna seizes the opportunity to claim control of the remnants of Jabba’s empire. Returning to Jabba’s palace, the Twi’lek assumes the role of a crime lord, gathering what remains of Jabba’s resources and loyal followers. Fortuna’s rule, however, is far from secure. The Twi’lek’s lack of the brute strength and fearsome reputation that Jabba possessed makes it difficult to maintain control over the fractured criminal organization.
Fortuna’s time as a crime lord is marked by paranoia and infighting. Rivals from across the galaxy seek to claim Jabba’s former territories, and Fortuna’s grip on power weakens. The Twi’lek is constantly looking over his shoulder, fearing assassination from enemies both old and new.
The Return of Boba Fett
Bib Fortuna’s tenuous rule comes to an abrupt end with the return of Boba Fett. The infamous bounty hunter, long thought dead after his fall into the Sarlacc pit, returns to Tatooine with the assassin Fennec Shand at his side. In a swift and brutal takeover, Boba Fett storms Jabba’s palace, dispatching Fortuna’s guards with ease.
In a final confrontation, Fortuna, now overweight and decadent from his brief time in power, pleads for mercy. Boba Fett, however, is not swayed. The Twi’lek’s pleas fall on deaf ears as Boba Fett unceremoniously ends Fortuna’s life, taking the throne for himself.
Legacy of Bib Fortuna
Bib Fortuna’s legacy is one of survival, scheming, and ultimately, failure. A character defined by ambition but lacking the strength to realize his grander ambitions, Fortuna remains a memorable figure in the Star Wars universe. The Twi’lek’s life serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of power and the precarious nature of the criminal underworld.
Fortuna’s death marks the end of an era on Tatooine, as Boba Fett assumes control of Jabba’s former empire. The Twi’lek’s legacy lives on in the shadows of Jabba’s palace, a reminder of the treacherous path Fortuna walked in the service of one of the galaxy’s most notorious crime lords.
