The Disney sequel trilogy culminated in the completion of a story arc first created by George Lucas in 1977, and though it proved to be divisive at times, it took the Star Wars Universe in a bold new direction. It gave fans new story angles and dozens of fascinating new characters to become invested in, as well as launched the careers of many fresh new actors.
Just as fans took in a sharp breath at the sight of the 6'6" tall David Prowse striding down the corridors of the Death Star in Darth Vader's armor, so too did they swallow a lump in their throat at the sight of Gwendoline Christie standing proud in Captain Phasma's armor at 6'3". And just as in Lucas's original trilogy, R2D2 was fully realized by putting an actor inside his costume, proving that it took actors big and small to bring the latest Star Wars films to life.
TALLEST: ADAM DRIVER (6'2")
At over two meters tall, Adam Driver has an impressive stature, compounded by his broad shoulders and chest. As Kylo Ren, his imposing height lets him loom over his costars, from Rebel scum like Poe Dameron, to his subordinates like General Hux.
The aspiring Sith and Supreme Leader of the First Order couldn't be portrayed by anyone shorter, especially considering his fixation with Darth Vader, the Sith Lord whose power he hopes to one day sur. Driver's height is one of the elements that secured his legacy as a villain in the sequel trilogy.
SHORTEST: DAISY RIDLEY (5'7")
At 5'7", Daisy Ridley is slightly taller than the average woman, and her height gives her just enough reach to make her action stunts believable in the sequel trilogy. Rey's athletic abilities are showcased a great deal in the three films, especially with her lightsaber and staff, and Daisy's height allows for a great deal of range with both.
Next to her co-stars like Poe Dameron and Finn, she's only a couple inches shorter, making her seem on equal footing with her male counterparts. By contrast, the difference between Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as Leia Organa and Han Solo was an entire 12 inches!
TALLEST: GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE (6'3")
At a statuesque 6'3", Gwendoline Christie towers over her costars. Add the intimidating armor she wore as Captain Phasma in the sequel trilogy and she becomes an indefatigable wall of fear.
Christie is known for her height, having put it to great use in Game of Thrones as another formidable female warrior, Ser Brienne of Tarth. As Phasma, she gives Kylo Ren and even Darth Vader a run on their credits for most imposing villain in a suit of armor.
SHORTEST: KELLY MARIE TRAN (5'2")
Rose Tico is one of the shortest characters in the sequel trilogy, as portrayed by Kelly Marie Tran who stands a wisp at 5'2". Introduced in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, her small stature bellied her huge heart and fighting spirit.
Tran is in good company, as Carrie Fisher was notoriously short when she starred in A New Hope and made it very clear that her diminutive stature was not a detracting asset but a helpful one.
TALLEST: PETER MAYHEW (7'2")
The tallest character in the entire Star Wars franchise is Chewbacca, played by the friendly giant Peter Mayhew, who at 7'2" is taller than David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader in George Lucas's original trilogy.
Referred to as a "walking carpet" by Princess Leia, Chewbacca was a formidable Wookiee warrior to his enemies but a loyal teddy bear to his friends Mayhew played Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens before he retired and gave the part to Joonas Suotamo, who is 6'11".
SHORTEST: CARRIE FISHER (5'1")
Scarcely has such a big inspiration been kept in such a small vessel, but Leia Organa has been that and more to countless Star Wars fans since the original trilogy, and her appearance in the sequel trilogy only served to remind them of that.
At 5'1", Carrie Fisher was one of the shortest cast in the sequel films, but this wasn't something that worked against her. Her grace and dignity in the role carried immeasurable gravitas no matter her height.
TALLEST: HARRISON FORD (6'1")
At 6'1", Harrison Ford is one of the taller actors in the sequel trilogy. His height makes it believable that Han Solo's son, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren could also be from the same strapping genes.
In the original Star Wars trilogy by George Lucas, Harrison Ford stood heads above his costars Carrie Fisher (5'1") and Marc Hamill (5'9"), and even inched out Billy Dee Williams (6'0").
SHORTEST: YAYAN RUHIAN (5'2")
When Han Solo ran afoul of the crime syndicate Kanjiklub in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he was pursued by the crime boss Tasu Leech. While he may not have seemed very intimidating, he was a street fighter known for his brutally violent techniques of enacting payment.
At 5'2", Yayan Ruhian was one of the more diminutive cast in the sequel trilogy, but his reputation as an Indonesian martial artist made up for it. He's best known for the popular Raid movies.
TALLEST: DOMNHALL GLEESON (6'1")
Kylo Ren isn't the only imposing figure swathed in black leading the First Order to triumph against the Resistance. General Armitage Hux stands at 6'1", and cuts quite the dashing figure in the uniform of a senior officer.
Domnhall Gleeson, son of famous Irish actor Brendan Gleeson (also 6'1"), is usually known for playing quirky and cerebral characters such as in the Harry Potter films or Ex Machina, but he perfectly channeled the stoic condescension of Imperial leaders like Grand Moff Tarkin in A New Hope.
SHORTEST: JIMMY VEE (3'8")
For decades Kenny Baker was synonymous with R2D2, for years credited with giving the perky astromech his spunky personality. After his ing Jimmy Vee took over and faithfully portrayed R2 in the Disney sequel trilogy.
At 3'8", Vee is just the right size to fit inside R2's costume. Disney pledged to do as many practical effects as possible, and so Vee was necessary to bring R2 to life whenever CGI wasn't used.
