Almost five decades later, the truth about an iconic villain from the originalStar Warshas finally been revealed. Although theupcomingStar Warsmovieswill be taking the franchise into the future, 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of the story that started it all. As a result, the firstStar Warsmovie in release orderhas, naturally, been receiving a lot of focus as audiences prepare to celebrate such a big occasion in a few years.
In June 2025, an interesting event took place that, while separate from whatever plans Lucasfilm has forA New Hope’s 50th anniversary, proved an adequate way to celebrateGeorge Lucas' originalStar Wars. At the British Film Institute, those in attendance were given the rare chance to view the original, unaltered cut ofStar Wars, devoid of the many changes and updates George Lucas has made to it in the last five decades. In doing so, the truth about the conception of one ofStar Wars’most iconic villainswas finally revealed.
Greedo Was Originally A MARTIAN, Not A Rodian
Lucas' Original Plans Were Linked More To Our Galaxy
The villain fromA New Hopeis Greedo, the bounty hunter sent after Han Solo, who has since become iconic for many reasons. Greedo only has a tiny role inA New Hope, yet has solidified himself inStar Warsfolklore, primarily due to being one half of the never-ending"who shot first"debate. In 2025, we know Greedo to be a Rodian, native of the planet Rodia, but this was not always the case.
As per a report of the BFI screening byCinema Savvy, those in attendance got to see the original continuity script that was used on the set ofStar Wars. This script was open on the scene involving Han and Greedo, with the latter’s language simply described as “alien.” Next to “alien,“the word “Martian” was written down, indicating that this was the original concept for Greedo. AlthoughStar Warswas always set in a galaxy far, far away, Greedo was originally described as a stereotypical alien from our own galaxy.
Greedo Actually Corresponds With Classic 1970s Martian Designs
Lucas Was Playing On Tropes That He Knew
Greedo, as we know him, is massively different now as one ofStar Wars’Rodians, but it makes perfect sense that Lucas would initially describe him as a Martian. Greedo’s design is iconic for its bug-like qualities, but it also links to the stereotypical ways people describe aliens or Martians. Greedo has green skin with large, bulbous, bug eyes, which many would attribute to the most classic design for aliens.
It is difficult to see Greedo as anything other than a Rodian, but this original script description as a Martian makes a lot of sense…
When asking most people to draw what their stereotypical view of an alien is, they would come up with something similar. The same was true in the 1970s, with the green-skinned, big-eyed alien design being as common as ever. Greedo was a play on that, with Lucas feeding into the familiarity of that to create a new alien life form. Now, it is difficult to see Greedo as anything other than a Rodian, but this original script description as a Martian makes a lot of sense.
Star Wars Has Replaced Martians With Rodians
A New Alien Race Was Born
While it remains true that Lucas' design for Greedo likely stemmed from the classic Martian design, the Rodians became something else entirely. Rodians are perhaps one of the most commonStar Warsaliens, often being seen in populated locations like the Mos Eisley Cantina, Maz Kanata’s castle, or as random bounty hunters. Despite beginning as Martians, the Rodians were born, showcasing exactly how Lucas built an entire galaxy from scratch.
Many elements fromStar Warsare born from our own reality, simply on a more fantastical level. After all, this is what makesStar Warsfall under the sci-fi category, with aspects like the Force adding the fantasy to it. Having the Rodians replace the Martians is emblematic of this approach, with Lucas taking something we all know and adding distinctions to them to make them into the classic aliens, weapons, locations, and ships ofStar Warsthat we know today.
