September 04, 2025

528: Jabba, Oola and a Wampa | Rebel Scum Con Part 4

55 minutes

In Part 4 of our Rebel Scum Con experience, we go behind the scenes with MORE talented artists who gave life to a few of our favorite Star Wars characters.

We sat down with Toby Philpott, one of the puppeteers behind the massive Jabba the Hutt. From controlling Jabba's grotesque expressions to (maybe?) licking Princess Leia, his stories from the set are not only fascinating but filled with tips and tricks for any aspiring puppeteers out there.

Next up, Femi Taylor, who played the ill-fated (but always fabulous) Oola, shares her experience on the set of RETURN OF THE JEDI. She dives into what it was like returning to the role years later and how the character still connects with fans today..

And if that wasn't cool enough, Howie Weed gives us a detailed look at his time inside the suit of the terrifying Wampa, and shares his experience with George Lucas directing! Howie even drops a hint or two about the Wampa's survival odds after that little run-in with Luke Skywalker.

Each guest was incredibly generous with their time and insights, offering a mix of behind-the-scenes stories, performance techniques, and even a dash of "what if" when it comes to the fate of their characters. We couldn't get enough.

Each interview is also available separately on our YouTube channel—subscribe here.

Rebel Scum Con, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to and 526 for more interviews.

TODAY in Star Wars History 9/2/2014

11 years ago... Star Wars: A New Dawn, written by John Jackson Miller with a foreword by Dave Filoni, was released by Del Rey. Serving as a prequel to Star Wars Rebels, it holds the distinction of being the very first novel in the official new Star Wars canon.

We celebrated the book's 10th anniversary back in episode 481—well worth a listen if you missed it!