Where are the familiar aliens?

I was actually thinking more about this subject, in regards to the OT in particular. Everything started off of course with ANH, but other than Chewie, we didn't see any familiar aliens in ESB. By the time we get to RotJ we did get to see some familiar aliens on Tatooine, but that makes sense because we had already been to Tatooine in ANH. Even so, we were still introduced to way more new aliens than familiar ones in Jabba's Palace, and once we leave Tattooine again, all of the aliens we are introduced to are new aliens as well.

Just for fun, lets take a look at the PT as well. In TPM we start out on Naboo and are introduced to the Gungans and Neimodians, but no old aliens. Then on Tatooine(a planet we have seen twice before) we predictably get to see some familiar aliens, but we also get to see plenty of new ones again. Then when the characters arrive on Coruscant, we get to see both new and familiar aliens, this makes sense because Coruscant is the galactic capitol and center of the Star Wars Galaxy, therefore it would be a natural melting pot of species from all across the galaxy.

Then in AotC we have the same situation on Coruscant as in TPM, some old and new aliens mixed together. I don't believe we see anything on Naboo other than the humans, but if we did, it would naturally be the Gungans. I would have to rewatch it, but I don't believe we see any new aliens other than the Tusken Raider's pet Massiffs. Then on Kamino, we are introduced to the Kaminoans, but no other species. Finally, when we get to Geonosis, another brand new planet, we are introduced to mainly brand new species(whether it be the Geonosians or the Seperatist leaders), the only exceptions being an Aqualish and Quarren senator in the Seperatist meeting, at least until the Jedi Order shows up, but they are hardly natives to the planet.

On to RotS, we see Coruscant much as it was in previous films with a good mix of old and new aliens. On Utapau we are introduced to the Pau'an native species and their domesticated varactyls, but no other new species. Then we don't get to see any new species on the other planets in the film.

Also, if we throw TCW into the mix, we seldom saw familiar species outside of familiar planets as well.

So if we take the previous films as a judge, we shouldn't really expect that many familiar aliens unless we are visiting familiar planets. Therefore, no need to be worried, I'm sure you'll still get some familiar aliens, but this film will no doubt setup some new common alien faces for future Star Wars material as well.

 

While trying to avoid talking about science in a star wars thread, it's important to note that within a galaxy there are billions of stars. Surrounding those star in a lot of cases we can assume that there are planets- some of which host lifeforms. Let's assume that in the whole galaxy there are a million planets that host life on them. You're wondering where all the familiar aliens are in a galaxy with possibly millions of different species of life...

 

Bullhead is the new Yakface

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 22, 2015, Original Post Date: Jul 22, 2015 ---

Thousands of planets, thousands of biological variations on each planet.... stands to reason there'd be more variety especially if the films are based in different parts of the galaxy?

 

The Separatist coalition was listed as thousands of worlds.

Even after they broke ties the Senate was full.

Big place this galaxy is.

 

We've had six movies and the main aliens outside humans have been Wookiees, Gungans, Cereans, Rodians, Bothans, Twi'leks etc.. I have a very good feel for what background species should be, and they sure as hell shouldn't look like a bunch of Orcs, Ogres, Trolls and Goblins

Okay this is an amazing point.

 

Your stance makes so little sense it makes my head hurt.

We have never seen Bothans in the movies, so they can't be in the background.

Chewbacca is a main character and we have only seen Wookies on their homeworld beside, so where are they in the background?

We have only ever seen Rodians on two planets, so where are they otherwise?

We have only ever seen Jar Jar, or Gungans on Naboo, so where are they in the background?

Not to mention I can name a couple hundred other species we have seen compared to the twenty or so worlds we have seen on film.

Every time we see a new planet we get a new species, so where are all of the familiar ones? Where are all the snaggleteeth on Geonosis, and Weequays on Kamino, and Hammer heads on Endor. Instead we get insect men and teddy bears, oh the outrage.

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 22, 2015, Original Post Date: Jul 22, 2015 ---

 

I'm still hoping for some distant cousins of the Jawas on Jakku.

 

Yeah, I don't get it, @Darth Arthritus. I was referencing that photo and stating that there were no familiar creatures in it, not asking where they were. But it doesn't matter.

Move along. Move along.

 

Oh boy.

 

Come on guys. You call yourselves fans?

 

I know, right? "I think that's why some are wondering where all the creatures we already know are" is a statement, not a question. Period, no question mark. I'm stating an opinion about where the OP's sentiment is coming from, not asking what's going on. And, in between the dashes, I'm again stating my feeling about the photo and not asking a question about it.

All of this is besides the point, anyway, because it seems we agree that there are no familiar aliens there.

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 22, 2015, Original Post Date: Jul 22, 2015 ---

I forgot about that guy. He was an original extra, right? I'll be the first to admit that I probably couldn't recognize each and every alien in the Cantina.

 

Trinto Duaba

 

So you want to think about where the familiar aliens might be, even though you can't properly identify them, but you don't want to know where they might be and remain in a state of wonderment, because wanting to know where they are, as opposed to just wondering, would be asking a question. But I suppose you can say you want to know where they are and I can't give you an answer because you arent actually asking a question, you are just stating that you want to know.

Good grief.

 

I'm not sure how I could have communicated better, but I've obviously failed to clearly say what I meant. Hopefully, through all these posts, my meaning is more clear by now.

The ultimate point is that the OP isn't alone in expressing some worry about not seeing any familiar faces among the aliens, but that I also agree that there is plenty of room in the Star Wars universe for even more diversity.

 

Oh man he looks like a dried prune.

 

well, considering Jakku is Tatooine you probably will!

I agree with the OP to an extent. I would like to see a mix of new and old. And I also share the view with some that these new aliens on that spread seem uninspired and derivative.

 

But if you are worried that you don't see any fimiliar aliens in one picture, when in reality there are two familiar aliens in that picture, then your worry is misplaced.

As others have tried to explain, there are lots of very reasonable explainations for why we've seen more new creatures than existing ones. But if you are only worrying and wondering and not wanting any answers, then there isn't much more anyone can say.

 

Simon Peg playing the PEG LEG alien perhaps?