The Star Wars universe continues to expand with new entries to its canon, including original Disney+ series like Obi-Wan Kenobi and the upcoming Andor, starring Diego Luna. Nevertheless, for all its expansion, fans can't help but look back on the franchise's old projects and characters with fondness.
While Star Wars continues to introduce new villains to its ranks, there are certain antagonists from prior films and series that simply exceed all expectations. Several of these characters even prove their strength without the assistance of Force powers, proving that they would have made great Sith, had the opportunity been afforded them.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Grand Admiral Thrawn, voiced by Lars Mikkelsen, is a Chiss Imperial Officer who worked for the Empire in its prime. Appearing throughout the later seasons of Star Wars: Rebels, the villain exhibited an exceptionally strategic mind, making him a formidable foe until his disappearance alongside Ezra Bridger in the series finale.
Thrawn's cool-headed tactics and brilliant mind make him a dangerous enemy indeed, but it is his callous nature and complete lack of emotion that would make the Imperial officer a formidable Sith Lord. Willing to sacrifice lives for the sake of victory, Thrawn, who is expected to return in the upcoming Ahsoka series, would fit perfectly among the wielders of the Dark Side of the Force.
Dryden Vos
Dryden Vos is the head of the galactic criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn, though it is later revealed that he truly answered to a secret benefactor, Darth Maul. Portrayed by Paul Bettany, Vos appears in Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he is killed by Emilia Clarke's Qi'ra, who takes over for her deceased master after betraying him.
Though Dryden Vos proved to be rather myopic when it came to his inner circle, the crime lord's conniving nature would have made him a perfect low-level Sith, not unlike Count Dooku or Darth Maul, both of whom found themselves used as pawns by their master. Vos additionally proved himself willing to manipulate others for his own selfish gain, a hallmark attribute of the Sith.
Cad Bane
Cad Bane is a Duros bounty hunter and one of the most essential characters in The Clone Wars animated series. Known for his exceptional work method and callous nature, the character made his live-action debut recently in the final two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett, in which voice actor Corey Burton continued to play the character.
Though Cad Bane was the breed of bounty hunter who likely cared little about Force powers, the Duros could have used such abilities to great effect had he been born Force-sensitive. The character was capable enough as a non-Force-sensitive being, even proving remarkably resilient to Jedi mind tricks, but could have been all the more intimidating otherwise.
Grand Moff Tarkin
Wilhuff Tarkin is one of the first and most intimidating villains in the Star Wars franchise, making his first appearance in 1977's A New Hope, where he is portrayed by the brilliant Peter Cushing. The character has made several additional appearances throughout the franchise, though his debut will always remain the most engaging.
Grand Moff Tarkin was one of the most intimidating presences in the entire Star Wars franchise, exhibiting the aura of a Sith Lord without actually being one. He was one of the few Imperial officers capable of keeping Darth Vader himself on a leash and would have put his own Force powers to tremendously effective use had he been fortunate enough to possess them.
Director Krennic
Director Orson Krennic is an Imperial officer and project manager who appears in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn, Krennic is the mind behind the creation of the Death Star, whose ambitions were subdued and stolen by Grand Moff Tarkin. Though the character has only made one appearance thus far, many believe he could show up for a cameo in the upcoming Andor series.
Krennic was a man intent on attaining and keeping power, no matter the cost to himself or others, as is often the case with Sith Lords. Like certain Sith apprentices that were seduced by the promise of power, Krennic would inevitably become corrupted by his own Force abilities, becoming an uncontrollable and dangerous menace to the galaxy.
General Hux
General Armitage Hux is a character portrayed by Domnhall Gleeson in the sequel trilogy. As one of the highest-ranking officers in the First Order, Hux has frequent dealings with Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren, though he is shown to hate both intensely. Ultimately, he betrays the First Order and is killed for his treachery by General Pryde.
Though his weaselly attitude and cowardice would have proven to be his undoing regardless, Hux frequently tapped into the negative emotions used to power the Dark Side users of Star Wars. His need for petty victories over even his allies led him to betray the First Order--and to his own inevitable demise.
Moff Gideon
Giancarlo Esposito portrays the main villain of the first two seasons of The Mandalorian, Moff Gideon. Gideon is an Imperial loyalist following the fall of the Empire who attempts to kidnap the Force-sensitive Grogu for as-yet-unknown purposes. The character is confirmed to appear in the upcoming third season of the hit Disney+ original series.
Moff Gideon is one of the few non-Force-sensitive beings in the galaxy to wield a lightsaber--and the infamous Darksaber at that. Skilled in the art of the Sith, cold, and calculating, Gideon is the picture of a perfect Sith, albeit without the powers that would make him unstoppable.
Jango Fett
Jango Fett is one of the best bounty hunters in the Star Wars franchise. The character makes his sole live-action appearance in Attack of the Clones, where it is revealed that an army of his clones has been commissioned to serve as the Republic's Grand Army. The famed bounty hunter meets his end at the hands of Mace Windu during the First Battle of Geonosis.
Jango Fett may not have been an entirely evil man, but his selfishness was clear. The bounty hunter participated willingly in Count Dooku's evil schemes, thinking little of the effect they would have on the galaxy. Had he been Force-sensitive, the man would have made great use of his abilities, likely tapping into the Dark Side far more often than the Light.
General Pryde
Allegiant General Enric Pryde is one of Darth Sidious's most trusted officers who aids his master in transforming the remainder of the First Order into the Final Order in time for the Battle of Exegol. Portrayed by Richard E. Grant, the commander of the Sith fleet makes his sole appearance in The Rise of Skywalker.
Pryde was a Sith loyalist even many years after the Dark Side users were seemingly destroyed. Biding his time for decades, the conspirator sought to bring the Sith back to power in the galaxy, serving his master without a second thought. Had he been born with such abilities as those Sideous possessed, Pryde would undoubtedly have put his powers to misuse, becoming one of the most formidable Sith Lords the galaxy had ever seen.
General Grievous
General Grievous is the leader of the Separatist Droid Army during the Clone Wars. Voiced by Matthew Wood in Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the droid general is eventually defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi after a fierce lightsaber duel on Utapau.
General Grievous was the nearest one could become to being a Sith without attaining Force abilities. Serving at a high rank in Count Dooku's army and even expertly wielding lightsabers of his own, Grievous was much more than a mere nuisance to the Jedi Order. In fact, the droid general was personally responsible for the death of several Jedi during the Clone Wars, making him a valuable asset to Sidious in his ultimate schemes. One would shudder to imagine the havoc Grievous could have wrought had he been imbued with the power of a Sith Lord.