When intergalactic war isn't being waged between major political powers, the criminals of the Star Wars universe are still hatching nefarious plots to line their own pockets and amass power. Some are so tuned to a life of a crime that they can't possibly imagine an existence without it. Others abandoned it for a legit lifestyle, even if they never lost their old cunning and guile.
Today we're ranking the 10 coolest criminals in the Star Wars universe, from suave scoundrel to irredeemable monster! Every character on this list was up to no good at some point during their life, regardless of where they ended up. Which is your favorite?
Cikatro Vizago
While certain early Empire criminals like Hondo Ohnaka were in the game (mostly) for themselves, Cikatro was different. He ran a criminal empire known as the Broken Horn Syndicate on the occupied planet of Lothal which focused mainly on smuggling, but he was reasonable and honorable in his own way.
After several team-ups with the crew of the Ghost (more specifically Ezra Bridger), Cikatro eventually found himself stepping out of the shadows and into a larger arena. He joined the Rebellion against the Empire, and played a vital role in thwarting the machinations of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Lady Proxima
Many consider Jabba The Hutt to be the most grotesque criminal in the galaxy, until they catch sight of Lady Proxima! This Grindalid crime lord ran her White Worms syndicate from Corellia, using young kids as pawns in her schemes, in exchange for food and a roof over their heads.
Proxima would eventually cross paths with a young Han Solo, who permanently burnt her face after throwing a rock through a window, allowing sunlight to pour in.
Xev Xrexus
Xev Xrexus was as charismatic as she was despicable. The head of the Xrexus cartel, Xev began her career as a relatively mild, low-key white collar criminal, before turning her aspirations to greater heights.
She eventually captured a young Jedi Padawan named Eldra Kaitis and attempted to sell her to the highest bidder. The move would prove fatal when she unwittingly attracted the attention of Darth Maul, who murdered her to keep the Sith's presence undetected.
Maz Kanata
One of the more benevolent criminals in the galaxy was Maz Kanata, a woman with a reputation for being tough, but fair and compassionate, as well. She'd had a thousand years to contemplate her role in galactic affairs, before taking up residence in an abandoned castle on Takodana, where the Jedi and Sith once waged war.
Maz managed to hide her Force-sensitive abilities from Darth Sidious following the execution of Order 66, and survived the Empire's reign long enough to see it fall, before mutating into the First Order. Though not confirmed, Maz may have been a member of the Jedi Order, at one point.
Prince Xizor
Prince Xizor would go on to become one of the more intriguing criminals of the Star Wars galaxy, even getting his own video game in the form of 1996's Shadows Of The Empire. This Falleen Prince ran the Black Sun criminal syndicate well into the post-Republic era, enjoying a good, if not testy relationship with Emperor Palpatine, himself.
Xizor's criminal ambitions knew no bounds, and were outmatched only by his desire to install himself as Darth Vader's eventual replacement. The reason for this was twofold - he secretly loathed Vader for the death of his family at the hands of the Sith Lord, and wanted revenge, as well as status.
Lando Calrissian
Although the swashbuckling Lando Calrissian would later try his hand as a legit business administrator, he never lost ties with his criminal history. In fact, he operated just within with the purview of Imperial jurisdiction so as to remain cloaked in secrecy.
Lando's early criminal career consisted of con games, smuggling and gambling. The latter would come in handy, allowing him to score the Millennium Falcon in a game of sabacc, only to lose it to Han Solo the very same way. Still, lady luck seems to smile on Lando.
Darth Maul
After being unceremoniously chopped in half at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul was psychologically broken, and left for dead on a remote planet. After being found by his brother Savage Opress, his mind was restored by the Nightsister Mother Talzin, which gave him the faculties required to launch a campaign of revenge against Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Sidious.
Maul managed to wreak havoc during the Clone Wars, seizing control of Mandalore while secretly running the Black Sun criminal syndicate. Following Order 66, Maul focused on Black Sun exclusively, using it as a tool for his greater scheme.
Han Solo
Han Solo began his criminal career after flunking out of the Imperial academy, and pursuing a life of smuggling, instead. Born with nothing, Han found himself caught up in the allure of the criminal underworld, crossing paths with everyone from Boba Fett to Jabba The Hutt.
His smuggling skills and reputation would put him on a path towards his true destiny - as a valued member of the Rebellion. Han traded in his life of crime for a shot at redemption by assisting in the destruction of the first and second Death Stars, which led to the eventual downfall of the Galactic Empire.
Cad Bane
Although bounty hunters enjoyed special privileges of their own, Cad Bane was primarily a criminal who never resisted an opportunity to further his own goals. Bane eventually became wanted both by the Republic and the Jedi Order for a series of high profile crimes that lit up his name like a Christmas tree.
His most nefarious crimes included the kidnapping of Force-sensitive children, prison breaks, and the bombing of the Jedi Temple. In contrast with more cool and collected bounty hunters, Cad Bane's ego eventually got the best of him.
Jabba The Hutt
When it comes to crime lords, few are as cruel, unforgiving and merciless as Jabba Desilijic Tiure, the "Eminence of Tatooine." While the Republic maintained a strong and capable grip over the core worlds, Jabba effectively ruled the outer rim with an iron fist, trafficking in stolen goods, slavery and other nefarious commodities.
In fact, Jabba's presence was so powerful that the Republic was forced to negotiate with him in exchange for access to outer rim hyperlanes. Though the Galactic Empire would forge a partnership with Jabba's syndicate, he was still a despicable criminal, through and through. He'd eventually meet his death at the hands of Princess Leia, herself.