During this year's Star Wars Celebration, it got revealed that the next Star Wars film would be the long-anticipated entry helmed by Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi. While the film will surely push the franchise's direction down a new path, little got revealed about what the film would be about or how integral it is to a larger plotline. As a result, the door has been opened for some exciting speculation. However, while the tone or genre has yet to come to light, it's obvious that there's one character Waititi should tackle -- Hondo Ohnaka.
Hondo first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as a smarmy space pirate who made choices based on what benefited him and his crew. Unfortunately, this meant that allies like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were the first to be betrayed. Nevertheless, Hondo had eventually grown to respect and appreciate the Jedi and would serve as a valuable ally that offered information or assistance when it best suited him. But for a character whose allegiance has always been to himself, how would he benefit from a solo film.
In Star Wars canon, Hondo's role continued to grow beyond the Clone Wars. He also appeared in Star Wars Rebels, where he was still a pirate but would help Ezra Bridger and his crew. But during the Sequel Trilogy, Hondo led a far more solitary life and was shown in the theme park area, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, as the owner of a new shipping company. However, this company was also known to transport the occasional illegal item, proving that Hondo would never wholly change. But Hondo's life has still remained largely unknown and is perfect for Waititi to flesh out.
For starters, Hondo has always been a comedic character. Much like how Thor got portrayed in Thor: Ragnarok, he may have appeared like he wasn't the most intelligent person in the room, but he was more crafty than he let on. In fact, Hondo was one of the savviest pirates in the galaxy, which is why he remained in operation for as long as he did. For Waititi, the idea of an ex-pirate thrust into yet another adventure would be right up his alley as it would give an excuse to travel the galaxy and visit even more planets. Again, like Thor: Ragnarok, the cosmic road trip angle would work perfectly for Hondo.
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However, Hondo's story could also revolve around his trading company and the transportation of precious cargo, much like how Solo: A Star Wars Story acted as a heist film. With workplace humor akin to The Office, viewers would see how Hondo must handle day-to-day operations while tackling unsavory enemies and cargo that would have to get to its location or risk getting shut down. Through those more serious beats, Waititi could further play on Hondo's emotional side, which has rarely been seen, and explain why he's always double-crossed allies with a smile on his face. That technique gets best shown with Thor, who deflected his grief through humor, even after his father had died and he lost his home.
Taika Waititi's upcoming Star Wars film will likely recontextualize the universe forever. And while many characters could fit the bill for this story, none are as deserving as Hondo Ohnaka. Not only has he been shown in live-action in the theme parks, but his personality is also both funny and unpredictable. That would keep the high-stakes momentum of his work and leave room for Waititi to inject more emotional threads that expand the character and his motivations.
