There’s a variety of perks that come with working at Lucasfilm. I get to write all day about Wookiees, clone troopers, bounty hunters and Jedi for Starwars.com. I interview celebrities about their love for droids and Sith Lords. I attend conventions to report on the latest Star Wars news and hang out with our awesome fans. I even make Yoda puppets at my desk.
But this is the first time I’ve ever dressed up as Jabba the Hutt.
Because StarWarsShop.com is in our office as well I always get to see the cool stuff we sell online before it gets written up. So when we got the new Jabba the Hutt costume from Rubies, I couldn’t resist trying it on.
The cool thing about this costume is that it literally keeps you cool while you wear it thanks to an internal, battery-operated fan inside that inflates it so you actually look like the Hutt himself. The head of Jabba isn’t attached to the body of the costume, which makes it a fun thing to wear just on its own.
The body material itself reminds me of the oh-so-fashionable parachute pants of the late ’80s. There are elastic bands that fit the costume around your legs, wrists and neck so you stay nice and puffy from the trapped air. I didn’t realize that the elastic needed to be secured more around my legs until half way through the test run, so for the first part of wearing the costume, I almost look like Jabba on a diet!
For the test run, I didn’t exactly run. The first thing you realize while wearing this costume is that you are forced to walk very slowly or else you’ll comically topple onto the ground. It takes a little practice, but after walking in the costume for about 15 minutes or so I started to develop what I call the “Hutt Strut.” You sort of waddle along with the Jabba’s tail serving as a kind of rudder.
To really give the costume a chance to prove its worth, I wore the costume outside in the wild that is the Lucasfilm campus which included a visit to our internal coffee hot spot Javva the Hutt, as well as our Marketing offices and then ending out the journey at Starbucks down the way.
As I slowly walked from one destination to another I was met with a odd combination of blank stares and giggles. A few people asked to have their photos taken with me and others wondered if I was dressed as Jabba to promote the new season of The Clone Wars.
I ended the test with a rigorous dancing routine to see if the costume could hold up to typical party moves that someone wearing it might make. The costume may slow you down as you walk, but if you stay in relatively the same spot your can really dance your tail off! And because I want you all to see how well the costume moves with the grooves, I videotaped it for all to see. (For the record, I was dancing to the tune of “Cars” by Gary Numan in my head.)
You’re welcome.
WATCH VIDEO: Jabba Dance Moves
PHOTOS: Bonnie the Hutt Photo Set
Fantastic !
LOL ITS A WOMAN
I’m so relieved. I thought for a minute you had found and scanned my wedding photos.
Genius! Surely a highlight of your internet fame. I want to try one of those suits on.
That looks like a blasty fun costume to wear! I like the swishy sounds when you dance.
So Bonnie, how many credits will you pay for a certain wookiee or Han Solo?
I think I’m in love with you…
Jabba looks very sleepy. Good idea on the coffee!
Do The Huttstle!
Looks like a giant turd with a face.
You are TOTALLY AWESOME FOR THIS.
Oh and you’re also mentioned on http://www.toplessrobot.com
BROFIST!
Can you wear ice skates with the costume on? Great video and blog!
Awaiting your application to join the 501st.
Egads..phallic-tastic
bonie is the belle of the ball!
This makes me love Bonnie so very much.
See you at the nightclub on Coruscant!
The dance video was flippin’ hilarious! Awesome blog!
I want a Ziro version please
Ummm… Yes. Freakin’ ROCKS, it does.
Bonnie = made of awesome!
I just watched the video again. Someone needs to take that video and add Gary Numan’s “Cars” asap. It works!
I think I’m in love.
fantastic
Hi!
I actually bought this costume too, and have NO idea how to attach the fan to the the costume itself?? Could you PLEASE help me? I have no idea how to make this inflatable Jabba work!
Thanks,
Linda
me too. i am baffled by the fan.
If your team is interested I would love to email you pictures of my Jabba the Hutt costume the won several contests.
i got this but it came without instructions, could someone explain how to set it up please?
Oh I want one of those! I love Jabba the Hutt. That’s awesome. Great write up on the costume. Entertaining and informative