Bail Prestor Organa

Bail Prestor Organa is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. He is Princess Leia's adopted father and a friend of Obi-Wan Kenobi. In the films, Bail Organa is played by Jimmy Smits.

Organa has been mentioned in the Expanded Universe many times, but he remained unseen until Attack of the Clones. Bail Organa was killed when the first Death Star destroyed Alderaan in 0 BBY. (see Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope).

Many fans have noticed that in Episode I, Captain Panaka mentioned a Bail Antilles as the representative from Alderaan, thus raising confusion among fans as to whether or not this is supposed to be the same character as Bail Organa, athough "Bail" could be a common Alderaanian name.

The official site clarifies this issue somewhat, stating that Bail Antilles and Bail Organa were BOTH slated to appear in The Phantom Menace, but Organa's footage was excised. In the screenplay, Bail Organa seconds the Motion of no confidence in Valorum's leadership, and Bail Antilles is nominated to succeed as Chancellor. Both were intended as two separate characters. Nevertheless, because his scene was cut, Bail Organa was recast for Star Wars Episode II, portrayed by Jimmy Smits in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

The Expanded Universe used the appearance of the actor who played Organa in the cut-scene, Adrian Dunbar, to represent Bail Antilles, thus perpetuating the confusion between the characters in the eyes of many fans.

However, it is believed that Bail Antilles resigned his post as Senator after losing the election to Palpatine. Bail Organa replaced Antilles in the Senate, and remained the Senator for Alderaan until his adopted daughter, Princess Leia, took over one year before the Battle of Yavin.

See also: The Organa family