Kipsang Rotich, a student from Kenya,[1] provided the voice of Nien Nunb in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker. He also provided Nien's voice for the Rise of the Resistance ride at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
According to Ben Burtt, it was Pat Welsh who knew Rotich, then a college exchange student, and introduced him to Burtt. Rotich speaks very good English and, according to Burtt, his native language is "Hyah".[2] Burtt recorded him narrating folk tales in his language, and play dramatic; Burtt also gave him to read some of the lines of Nien Nunb in the film, which Rotich read translated in his own language. Some of these lines passed verbatim into the film's soundtrack, being the actual translations of what Nunb was saying to Lando Calrissian in Sullustese.[3] Nien Nunb also spoke lines in Kikuyu.[1]
Nunb's Sullustese lines were recognisable in African audiences who spoke those languages, and were met with excitement.[1][3] Rotich enjoyed celebrity status in his country and appeared in talk shows.[3]
Rotich reprised his role 30 years later in The Force Awakens, and then again in The Rise of Skywalker. He did not play Nien in the second installment of the sequel trilogy, The Last Jedi, as his character, Nien Nunb, does not have any lines of dialogue in that film. Later in 2019, he provided the voice for the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ride, Rise of the Resistance.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Contribution(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi | Nien Nunb |
| 2015 | Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens | Nien Nunb |
| 2019 | Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker | Nien Nunb |
Sources[]
"Sound Advice" — Star Wars Insider 26- The Road to Rotich: Finding Nien Nunb, Part 1 on StarWars.com (backup link)
- The Road to Rotich: Finding Nien Nunb, Part 2 on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Much to Learn You Still Have: 7 Things You Might Not Know About Sullustans on StarWars.com (backup link)
- 5 Things We Learned About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Galactic Nights on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – The Official Collector's Edition
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
In Kenya, audiences roar at language in 'Jedi' film on Christian Science Monitor (Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World) (July 28, 1983) (backup link archived on August 11, 2019)
- ↑ There is no language called "Hyah", and possibly Burtt meant Haya, which, according to Wikipedia however, it is a language of Tanzania.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide
