2. The Thala-Sirens: Majestic Marine Mammals of Ahch-To
Among the many fascinating species presented in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," the Thala-Sirens stand out as especially interesting additions to the complex tapestry of alien life in the Star Wars universe. Native to the planet Ahch-To, these enormous marine creatures captivated viewers and spurred conversations about the ecology and biodiversity of this far-off planet. In one of the more unusual sequences in the movie, where Luke Skywalker is shown gathering and drinking their milk—a sight that both startled and delighted viewers all around—the Thala-Sirens play a noteworthy part.
Earth's own marine life—especially that of basking seals—had a major impact on Thala-Sirens' design. Their whole body form clearly shows this inspiration; they have big flippers and a thick layer of blubber that lets them comfortably lounge on the rocky coast of Ahch-To for long stretches. The idea artists and designers entrusted with bringing these creatures to life aimed to produce an animal that would feel at home in the hostile, marine environment of the planet while still holding a unique alien aspect that distinguishes them from their Earthly counterparts.
The Thala-Sirens' absolute scale is among their most arresting features. These animals surpass even the biggest species of whales and are shown as being much more than any known marine mammal on Earth. This amazing scale highlights the alien character of Ahch-To and suggests the rich, varied ecology that has to exist under the large oceans of the planet to sustain such huge species. Concept artist Neal Scanlan says that the filmmakers purposefully chose to display just the heads and necks of the Thala-Sirens rising from the water. This partial picture lets viewers' imaginations go wild, hypothesising about the entire scale and look of these enigmatic creatures.
As the Star Wars Visual Dictionary describes, the way the Thala-Sirens behave gives their character and the planet they live on complexity. They are presented as obedient animals, apparently unconcerned by the presence of other species on Ahch-To. They are not hunted, which helps them to have a calm attitude since they may live without worry of predation. This particular feature offers understanding of Ahch-To's ecological equilibrium and implies a harmonic coexistence among the several species inhabiting the planet. The Thala-Sirens' daily schedule, coming ashore to soak in the sunlight before going back to the sea, suggests a world with accepted natural rhythms and patterns.
"The Last Jedi" uses the Thala-Sirens for several narrative and world-building devices. Surface-level, the scene where Luke Skywalker interacts with these creatures is a surprising and light-hearted moment in the movie, highlighting the occasionally weird and foreign sides of life on an alien planet. More fundamentally, it shows Luke's close relationship to and dependence on the Ahch-To natural surroundings during his self-imposed exile. Harvesting milk from the Thala-Sirens shows how Luke has adapted to living on this far-off world by using its resources for nourishment in ways that might seem strange or even frightening to visitors.
