Jabba the Hutt didn’t just want a prisoner. He wanted a trophy. When Princess Leia Organa was dragged before the bloated crime lord in 1983’s Return of the Jedi, the galaxy saw its fiercest leader reduced to a literal ornament. It was a shocking pivot. One minute she’s a disguised bounty hunter holding a thermal detonator; the next, she’s chained to a slug’s throne.
The "Slave Leia" look became a permanent fixture of pop culture almost instantly. But honestly? The story of how that outfit came to be—and the way Carrie Fisher actually felt about it—is way more interesting than the gold bikini itself.
The Costume That Almost Didn’t Work
Costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers had a specific vision. She wanted something that looked like it belonged in a Frank Frazetta painting. The result was a mix of hard plastic "metal" plates, leather straps, and maroon silk.
It looked great on screen. On set, it was a total nightmare.
Carrie Fisher famously joked that the bikini was "what supermodels will eventually wear in the seventh ring of hell." Because the top was made of rigid plastic, it didn't actually move with her body. If she leaned forward, the costume stayed put. The crew had to constantly check for wardrobe malfunctions. You’ve probably heard the rumors of a "no underwear in space" rule from George Lucas. Well, this costume took that to the extreme.
Fisher had to sit perfectly still on Jabba’s throne for hours. She was surrounded by real sand, sweating under hot studio lights, and tethered to a giant, slimy puppet. It wasn't exactly a glamorous Hollywood moment.
Why Jabba the Hutt Chose That Outfit
In the world of Star Wars, Jabba is a narcissist. Everything in his palace—from the Rancor in the basement to the frozen Han Solo on the wall—serves to show off his reach. Making a high-ranking Rebel Princess wear a "dancing girl" outfit was his ultimate power move.
It was about humiliation.
Jabba is a Hutt, a gastropod species from Nal Hutta. Biologically, Hutts don’t even have the same reproductive systems as humans. They're basically giant, hermaphroditic slugs. So, his obsession with Leia wasn’t necessarily about human attraction. It was about status. Having the daughter of the House of Organa as a "pet" was the ultimate flex in the criminal underworld of Tatooine.
📖 Related: Elton John and Leon Russell The Union: What Really Happened
The "Huttslayer" Transformation
For years, fans called this version of the character Slave Leia. Recently, a new name has taken over: Huttslayer.
This isn't just a marketing rebrand. It’s based on the actual events of the movie. Leia didn't wait for Luke to save her. While the boys were busy fighting Boba Fett and the Sarlacc, Leia saw her opening. She took the very chain Jabba used to shackle her and wrapped it around his neck.
She strangled him to death with the instrument of her own enslavement.
There’s some deep lore here, too. In the novel Bloodline by Claudia Gray, it’s revealed that the galaxy at large eventually learns about this. They don't remember her as a victim. They remember her as the woman who took down the most powerful crime lord in the Outer Rim with her bare hands.
What Carrie Fisher Told Daisy Ridley
Before she passed away, Carrie Fisher gave some blunt advice to Daisy Ridley, who played Rey in the sequel trilogy. She told her: "Don't be a slave like I was. You keep fighting against that slave outfit."
Fisher was protective of Leia's legacy. She knew that the bikini had become a massive part of the male gaze in sci-fi. But she also had a great way of handling parents who were "concerned" about the outfit. Her advice to dads? "Tell them that a giant slug captured me and forced me to wear that stupid outfit, and then I killed him because I didn't like it."
Basically, use the story to teach a lesson about standing up to bullies.
The Merchandise Controversy
You might have noticed that "Slave Leia" toys have mostly disappeared from store shelves. Around 2015, rumors started swirling that Disney was phasing out the imagery.
✨ Don't miss: Why How the Beatles Changed the World Still Matters Today
They didn't ban it. They just stopped prioritizing it.
The focus shifted toward Leia as a General and a leader. While some collectors were annoyed, many felt it was a long-overdue move. The bikini is a piece of film history, sure. But it shouldn't be the only thing people think of when they hear the name Leia Organa.
Why It Still Matters
The Jabba's palace sequence is a masterclass in tension. It shows Leia at her absolute lowest point. And it makes her eventual triumph feel earned.
When you look at the "Huttslayer" through a modern lens, it’s not just about a costume. It’s about agency. Leia proved that even when you are stripped of your rank, your weapons, and your clothes, you aren't powerless.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see how Leia's story evolved after the palace, pick up the novel Star Wars: Bloodline. It deals specifically with the fallout of the "Huttslayer" legend and how the New Republic reacted to her past. You can also look for the Star Wars: Age of Rebellion comics, which feature a one-shot story about her time on Tatooine that adds much-needed depth to her internal struggle during those scenes.