Maz Kanata - wikipedia Maz Kanata Maz Kanata Star Wars character Maz Kanata in The Force Awakens First appearance The Force Awakens ( 2015 ) Created by Lawrence Kasdan J.J. Abrams Michael Arndt Portrayed by Lupita Nyong'o ( motion capture ) Arti Shah ( motion capture double ) Voiced by Lupita Nyong'o ( Episodes VII - VIII, Star Wars Forces of Destiny ) Grey Griffin ( The Freemaker Adventures, The Resistance Rises ) Information Gender Female Occupation Former pirate and smuggler Tavern keeper Maz Kanata is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the 2015 film Star Wars : The Force Awakens, she is a CGI character voiced and performed through motion capture by Lupita Nyong'o. Maz, a former pirate and smuggler, is over 1000 years old and manages an interstellar tavern in a castle on the fictional planet Takodana. Contents 1 Character 1.1 Concept and creation 1.2 Portrayal 1.3 Description 2 Appearances 2.1 Film 2.1. 1 The Force Awakens ( 2015 ) 2.1. 1.1 Deleted scene 2.1. 2 The Last Jedi ( 2017 ) 2.2 Animated series 2.2. 1 Lego : Star Wars ( 2016 ) 2.2. 2 Forces of Destiny ( 2017 ) 2.3 Merchandising 3 Reception 4 References 5 External links Character Concept and creation The Force Awakens writer / director J.J. Abrams told Entertainment Weekly in November 2015, `` I wanted to do ( Maz ) as a puppet originally, but once we figured out the things that she was required to do, it felt like performance capture was the way to go. '' With most of the other creatures in her scenes being practical effects, Abrams noted : Maz needed to look and feel and be just like one of those creatures. And given her mobility, and given the role that she played, it became clear that that was one creature where we should use the tool of CG. But the performance was all Lupita. She was there on set, and we did capture sessions afterwards as well. Abrams said, `` I had some specific ideas about how she would work and what she would do. I had this pitch about these goggles that she wore. Her eyes are an important aspect of her character, and you 'll see how it plays out. '' Abrams told his home town newspaper, the Palisadian - Post, that he based Maz on his late Palisades Charter High School English teacher Rose Gilbert. He said : We really wanted the story to feel authentic, despite being a wild fantasy. I mentioned Rose in an early story meeting as a sort of timeless, wise figure that I 'd actually known in my life... While we experimented with many looks and styles before settling on the character 's final design, Rose was always at the center of the inspiration for Maz. Portrayal Lupita Nyong'o portrays Maz. Nyong'o's meeting with Abrams about an undisclosed role was reported in March 2014, and her casting in the film was first announced on April 29, 2014. Nyong'o was revealed to be playing a performance capture - CGI character, pirate Maz Kanata, in a May 2015 Vanity Fair photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz. The character was first heard in the official TV spot for The Force Awakens, released in November 2015. Days later Abrams confirmed fan speculation that Maz was pictured on the film 's theatrical poster, which had been previously released in October 2015, as a diminutive alien wearing large goggles. In December 2015, the orange - skinned character appeared briefly in a video for the Disney XD channel, featuring a scene in which John Boyega 's character Finn draws his lightsaber. Of Abrams ' emphasis on the character 's eyes, Nyong'o commented, `` As an actor for films, your eyes are a lot of the way you communicate anyway. So it was definitely a gift to have that be the means to her magic as a motion - capture character. '' Nyong'o was also coached on performance - capture work by her The Force Awakens costar Andy Serkis, who portrays CGI character Supreme Leader Snoke and had previously portrayed numerous other motion - capture roles in other films. She said, `` The biggest advice he gave me, that was so important to hold on to, is a motion - capture character you develop the same way as any other. You have to understand who the character is and what makes them who they are. '' Actress Arti Shah was cast as the motion capture double for the character 's body movements. Description Maz is a diminutive, humanoid alien with orange - tinted skin who wears large goggles. A former pirate and smuggler, she runs an interstellar tavern in a castle on the planet Takodana. Abrams said of her backstory : Her history is that she was a pirate for a long time. She 's lived over a thousand years. She 's had this watering hole for about a century, and it 's like another bar that you 'd find in a corner of the Star Wars universe. Abrams added that `` her eyes are an important aspect of her character ''. Entertainment Weekly 's Anthony Breznican noted, `` Maz is this movie 's wise, ancient alien with connections to the mystical side of the galaxy. '' Of the character 's alien species and planetary origins, Abrams said that though The Force Awakens does not answer these questions, more information about Maz is forthcoming `` in other venues ''. Appearances Film The Force Awakens ( 2015 ) In the film, Han Solo visits his old friend Maz at her tavern, seeking her aid in returning the wayward astromech droid BB - 8 to the Resistance. Maz, who has a crush on Han 's copilot, the Wookiee Chewbacca, is intrigued by Han 's companions, the renegade stormtrooper Finn and the scavenger Rey. First Order stormtroopers, led by Kylo Ren, attack Maz 's castle in search of BB - 8, who has been entrusted with an important map. Maz tries to give Luke Skywalker 's long - missing lightsaber to the Force - sensitive Rey, but she refuses it after experiencing a disturbing vision from touching it. Maz then entrusts the lightsaber to Finn, who uses it multiple times before it is eventually claimed by Rey. Deleted scene One trailer for the film included a shot of Maz handing Luke 's lightsaber to General Leia Organa, though the corresponding scene was not included in the final cut of the film. Abrams explained the removal, saying `` Maz used to continue along with the characters back to the Resistance base, but we realized that she really had nothing to do there of value, except to be sitting around. '' The last Jedi ( 2017 ) In December 2015, producer Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Nyong'o was among those who would reprise their roles in the forthcoming sequel to The Force Awakens, Star Wars : The Last Jedi. Animated series Lego : Star Wars ( 2016 ) Maz appears in the short form computer animated series Lego Star Wars : The Resistance Rises in the 2016 episode `` Hunting for Han ''. The character also appeared in the Lego Star Wars : The Freemaker Adventures episode The Test. Forces of Destiny ( 2017 ) Maz appears in the micro-series Star Wars Forces of Destiny, voiced by Lupita Nyong'o. Merchandising Maz is featured in a Lego Star Wars playset called Battle on Takodana, and Hasbro 's Star Wars : The Force Awakens Takodana Encounter action figure set. The character also appears in the 2015 novelization of The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster. Reception Time 's Stephanie Zacharek described Maz as `` a delightful minor character... who looks like the love child of E.T. and Lena Horne ''. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun - Times named Maz one of the film 's `` miraculous creatures '', and James Robins of the New Zealand Listener deemed the character `` a charmingly rendered alien ''. Writing for Forbes, Scott Mendelson called the scenes at Maz 's castle `` the film 's best sequence ''. Conversely, Matt Goldberg of Collider.com described the character as `` the bar - owner / Yoda stand - in / exposition mouthpiece '' and wrote, `` What could have been a strong addition to the franchise instead reeks of the film 's attempt to mimic what works well in the previous movies. '' The Force Awakens received seven Visual Effects Society Award nominations, including one for Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature for Maz Kanata. Nyong'o was nominated for a 2016 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal. References ^ Jump up to : Breznican, Anthony ( November 12, 2015 ). `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens : J.J. Abrams reveals backstory of alien Maz Kanata ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Sharpe, Frances ( December 24, 2015 ). `` Star Wars Character Based on Late Pali High English Teacher ''. Palisadian - Post. Retrieved January 14, 2016. Jump up ^ Kit, Borys ( March 14, 2014 ). `` Lupita Nyong'o Meets With J.J. Abrams for Star Wars : Episode VII ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Star Wars : Episode VII Cast Announced ''. StarWars.com. April 29, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2015. Jump up ^ Robinson, Joanna ( May 4, 2015 ). `` Adam Driver and Lupita Nyong'o's Characters Revealed in Exclusive Star Wars : The Force Awakens Photos ''. Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens Theatrical Poster First Look, In - Theater Exclusives and More ''. StarWars.com. October 18, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2016. Jump up ^ Child, Ben ( December 9, 2015 ). `` Lupita Nyong'o's Maz Kanata revealed in new Star Wars : The Force Awakens video ''. The Guardian. Retrieved January 14, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Interview : Arti Shah -- Maz Kanata from Star Wars ''. BBC Radio. January 31, 2016. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016. Jump up ^ Malan, Rob ( April 18, 2016 ). `` Arti Shah : Bringing Maz Kanata To Life ''. ScififantasyNetwork.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Databank : Maz Kanata ''. StarWars.com. Retrieved January 13, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Breznican, Anthony ( December 22, 2015 ). `` J.J. Abrams explains those missing scenes from Star Wars : The Force Awakens ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Ruby, Jennifer ( December 17, 2015 ). `` Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy confirms that entire cast will return for eighth film ''. London Evening Standard. Retrieved December 17, 2015. Jump up ^ Li, Shirley ( February 12, 2016 ). `` The Force Awakens characters to appear in new LEGO Star Wars series ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Lego Star Wars : The Resistance Rises : ' Hunting for Han ' ''. Disney XD. Retrieved June 28, 2016. Jump up ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin ( June 10, 2016 ). `` Maz Kanata, Lando and More Pop Up in New LEGO Star Wars : The Freemaker Adventures Trailer ''. ScreenCrush. Retrieved July 5, 2016. Jump up ^ Breznican, Anthony ( April 13, 2017 ). `` Star Wars highlights female heroes in Forces of Destiny ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 13, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 75139 - 1 : Battle on Takodana ''. Brickset.com. 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Minifigs : sw703 : Maz Kanata ( 75139 ) ''. Brickset.com. 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Cochran, Jay ( February 11, 2016 ). `` Star Wars The Force Awakens 3.75 '' Takodana Encounter Set with Maz Kanata Figure ``. JediInsider.com. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Breznican, Anthony ( February 11, 2016 ). `` Maz Kanata action figure among new Star Wars : The Force Awakens toys ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Foster, Alan Dean ( 2015 ). `` Chapter XI ''. The Force Awakens ( e-book ). ISBN 9781101965504. Jump up ^ Zacharek, Stephanie ( December 15, 2015 ). `` Review : The Force Awakens Is Everything You Could Hope for in a Star Wars Movie -- and Less ''. Time. Retrieved December 16, 2015. Jump up ^ Roeper, Richard ( December 15, 2015 ). `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens : The thrills are strong with this one ''. Chicago Sun - Times. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2015. Jump up ^ Robins, James ( December 17, 2015 ). `` Film review : Star Wars : The Force Awakens ''. New Zealand Listener. Retrieved January 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Mendelson, Scott ( December 15, 2015 ). `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens Review : The Empire Strikes Out ''. Forbes. Retrieved December 16, 2015. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Matt ( December 22, 2015 ). `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens : The Many Problems with Maz Kanata ''. Collider.com. Retrieved January 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Star Wars : The Force Awakens Dominates Visual Effects Society Nominations ''. IGN. January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Visual Effects Society Announces Nominees for the 14th Annual VES Awards ''. Visual Effects Society. January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` The 42nd Annual Saturn Awards nominations are announced for 2016 ! ''. Saturn Awards. February 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2016. External links Maz Kanata in the StarWars.com Databank Maz Kanata on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki Star Wars characters List of The Clone Wars characters List of Rebels characters List of Legends characters Characters Canon Admiral Ackbar Padmé Amidala Cassian Andor Wedge Antilles Cad Bane Darth Bane BB - 8 Jar Jar Binks C - 3PO Lando Calrissian Chewbacca Poe Dameron Count Dooku Jyn Erso Boba Fett Jango Fett Finn Saw Gerrera Greedo General Grievous Jabba the Hutt General Hux Kanan Jarrus Qui - Gon Jinn K - 2SO Maz Kanata Obi - Wan Kenobi Orson Krennic Princess Leia Darth Maul Nien Nunb Palpatine Captain Phasma Admiral Piett R2 - D2 Kylo Ren Rey Captain Rex Bodhi Rook Bail Organa Luke Skywalker Supreme Leader Snoke Han Solo Ahsoka Tano Grand Moff Tarkin Grand Admiral Thrawn Darth Vader Asajj Ventress Watto Wicket W. Warrick Mace Windu Yoda Legends Mara Jade Kyle Katarn KOTOR characters HK - 47 Kreia Revan Starkiller Jacen Solo Organizations Force - users Jedi Sith Military Battle droid Clone trooper Stormtrooper Rogue Squadron Families Skywalker family Solo family Bands Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes Max Rebo Band Species Canon Bantha Ewok Hutt Sarlacc Tusken Raiders Wookiees Legends Yuuzhan Vong Other Droid Mandalorian Star Wars : The Force Awakens Characters Han Solo Luke Skywalker General Leia Organa Kylo Ren Rey Finn Poe Dameron Maz Kanata Supreme Leader Snoke General Hux C - 3PO Chewbacca BB - 8 Captain Phasma R2 - D2 Admiral Ackbar Nien Nunb Stormtrooper First Order Starships Millennium Falcon Star Destroyer TIE fighter X-wing fighter Vehicles AT - AT Speeder bike Snowspeeder Tie - in media Novelization Soundtrack Journey to Star Wars : The Force Awakens Aftermath Aftermath : Life Debt Aftermath : Empire 's End Lost Stars Bloodline Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens Related articles Box office records Awards and nominations Star Wars : The Last Jedi Characters Luke Skywalker General Leia Organa Kylo Ren Rey Finn Poe Dameron Maz Kanata Supreme Leader Snoke General Hux C - 3PO Chewbacca BB - 8 Captain Phasma R2 - D2 Admiral Ackbar Nien Nunb Starships A-wing Millennium Falcon Star Destroyer TIE fighter X-wing fighter Vehicles AT - M6 Tie - in media Journey to Star Wars : The Last Jedi Star Wars Forces of Destiny Dave Filoni Characters Ahsoka Tano Rey Jyn Erso Maz Kanata Princess Leia Padmé Amidala Anakin Skywalker Han Solo Chewbacca Finn C - 3PO R2 - D2 Planets Coruscant Hoth Endor Jakku Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maz_Kanata&oldid=803785612 '' Categories : CGI characters Fictional businesspeople Fictional characters introduced in 2015 Space pirates Star Wars characters Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Français Հայերեն Norsk Русский Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 4 October 2017, at 16 : 45. 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Question: who plays maz in star wars the force awakens
Answer: Lupita Nyong'o