‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: Hux Had Phasma Murder His Own Family Member

General Hux quickly rose through the ranks of the First Order, becoming one of the youngest officers of such a high rank. As second in command to Supreme Leader Snoke himself, it’s curious that he was able to achieve such a position.

How Hux became the general of the First Order hints at his sinister and diabolical nature, teasing that the character is always scheming for more power and prestige.

Warning: Spoilers for Phasma and Star Wars: The Last Jedi below.

Armitage Hux was raised in the First Order, as detailed by the events of Delilah Dawson’s new novel Phasma. Hux’s father, Brendol Hux, served prominently in the Empire before their defeat, eventually helping to recreate the army as the First Order in the Unknown Regions.

But Hux and Captain Phasma, whom Brendol recruited into the First Order, conspired against him. After killing Brendol, Armitage rose up in his place. His ruthlessness made him an asset to the armed forces, and Supreme Leader Snoke knew how to manipulate him to get what he needed from the young military prodigy.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi – The Visual Dictionary, Pablo Hidalgo describes his journey succinctly:

“Hux is responsible for the deaths of billions, having given the order to fire the Starkiller at the heavily populated Hosnian system. A man of no scruples who craves power above all, Hux has dispatched many enemies or would-be foes before they became too dangerous a threat. This included quietly eliminating his own father, the elder General Brendol Hux, whose elevated position in the early First Order gave Armitage a childhood of great privilege.”

Despite his cunning, Hux was still easily manipulated by the former Supreme Leader and constantly sought to earn Snoke’s approval. This often put him at odds with Kylo Ren, Snoke’s apprentice, and both were used as tools to achieve the First Order’s goals.

But now, with Snoke out of the way, Kylo Ren stands as the new Supreme Leader. It remains to be seen how their dynamic will be altered, but it seems that Hux will not take kindly to being forced to serve under his former rival. How that will affect the First Order? We’ll find out in Episode IX.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is now playing in theaters everywhere.