Star Wars: The Last Jedi in its depiction of a casino city reconfirms the invisible thread connecting gambling and science fiction. Rian Johnson focuses on the world of gambling taking up the mantle left by George Lucas’s Mos Eisley Cantina. There we first encounter the duo descending into the world of drinking and socializing. It was a touch of sombre reality in the frivolous fiction and Johnson now explores it in greater detail through his Canto Bight.
The new gambling city is undoubtedly a homage to Mos Eisley Cantina however its inspiration has been varied. Taking inspiration from the combination of Monte Carlo and the James Bond series, parts of the shooting have taken place in Dubrovnik. There is an interesting portrayal of the rich and influential blended with opulence contrasting the moral and social bleakness that Star Wars is generally associated with. We are taken back to Han Solo but in a reconceptualized modus operandi.
The Novelty in Construction
A catalogue of new aliens and unexpected beings have been introduced which makes it not quite a throwback. Even though Mos Eisley leaves its mark over the new city, it cannot be called a successor due to the innovativeness of species in The Last Jedi created originally for this. The originality accorded to it is praiseworthy. The exoticism, hallucinatory, tuneful atmosphere of the tavern has been bequeathed on Bight but on a much larger scale.
A popular fan theory circulates that the new Star Wars series resonates with the primary trilogy. The unveiling of Canto Bight appears to evidence it.
The Casinos
Casinos have never been in the spotlight due to the universality of their viewership. This does not sever the essential position of gambling in the Star Wars universe. Independent casino sites in para canonical works and spin-offs are testament to this fact.
Some noteworthy casinos in the show are-
- Aerie Casino,
- Balance Casino,
- Casino Kuari,
- Coruscant Crown Casino
- Star Cluster Casino
History
The Old Republic era criminalized gambling primarily, even though it was still legally operational in some planets scattered across the galaxy. It was legitimized again in the entire universe in the Clone Wars era by Senator Grey shade. This resulted in a spike in the business.
Decisive Plot Movers through Gambling
The Empire Strike Back narrates how Han Solo defeated Lando Calrissian in Sabacc to come to own the Millennium Falcon. Spin-off Solo: A Star Wars Story contains the scene.
Darth Vader (as Anakin Skywalker) participated in a high stake gambling, playing pod race betting. He would play against Watto who acknowledged his abilities in the game yet was aware of his inexperience that would not allow Anakin to win. It was ultimately Qui-Gon Jinn who won Anakin’s freedom. In the Phantom Menace, the Jedi Master won at the Boonta Eve pod race.
Other source materials from the Star Wars Saga are also informed by gambling. There is a reference to it in Rebel Rising, Star Wars Rebels, and Aftermath. This issue is repeatedly emphasized to the characters by C3-PO. The android commented on the odds of success and failure in any terse situation. To which Solo’s famous dialogue is directed at, “Never tell me the odds!”.
Evolution of the Games
The discourse on gambling in Star Wars cannot be concluded without mentioning some casino games. During the Old Republic, popular games were:
- Pazaak,
- Dejarik,
- Holochex,
- Ratts Race
In the Imperial era, these fizzled out to give way to:
- Binspo
- Compmatch
- Sabacc
- Tregald.
Given this rich historical context and gradual addition to the use of gambling in building its social background, spectators are expecting how Canto Bight has deconstructed the earlier image and reinstated gambling in The Last Jedi.
In Conclusion
Star Wars, even in its epic proportion, has not alienated itself from realism. In its depiction of explorers and fighters, saviours and soldiers it has kept the touch of darkness that is associated with adventures and uncertainty come with any quests. As viewers of a narrative are books or films, we forget that the heroes do not know the endings of their stories.
Their lives are fraught with intense anxiety and violence. Such a perpetual state of existence cannot be sustained without socially liminal activities, in this case, gambling. Adventures are great to behold but rather painful to live through in such a case emotion needs an outlet. The casinos work wonderfully as sites of catharsis enabled by the thrill of gambling.