| Tantive IV | |
|---|---|
| Star Wars vehicle | |
 CR90 CorellianTantive IV Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy used byLeia Organa as her personal Consular ship | |
| First appearance | Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976) |
| Based on | CR70 Corellian Corvette |
| Information | |
| Affiliation |
|
| Launched | By 22BBY |
| Decommissioned | 35 ABY, Exegol (Canon) 0 BBY, destroyed over Tatooine (Legends) |
| Captain | Raymus Antilles |
| Combat vehicles | 3 fighters (external mounting) |
| Auxiliary vehicles |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class | CR90 corvette |
| Registry | Corellian Engineering Corporation |
| Armaments |
|
| Defenses | Shield generators Ceramic hull plating |
| Maximum speed | 950 km/h (atmosphere) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Length | 126 metres (413 ft) |
| Height | 49 metres (161 ft) |
| Population volume | 165-300
|
TheTantive IV Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy/ˈtæntɪˌvifɔːr/ (also referred to by its model as theCR90 Corellian corvette or simply as theRebelBlockade Runner)[1] is a fictional spaceship in theStar Wars film series. Designed by the Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC), the highly modified CR90 corvette is designed to be utilitarian, durable, modular, similar to its predecessors like the CR70 with its simple interiors featuring subtle luxury for Alderaan officials. It was used byLeia Organa in theoriginalStar Wars film[a] and was the first vessel audiences saw whenStar Wars premiered in 1977. Other CR90 Corellian corvettes, which share theTantive IV's design, appear inReturn of the Jedi and in theStar Wars Expanded Universe's books, comics, TV series, and games. A ship of similar design to theTantive IV also appears in the sequel trilogy filmStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The ship's design stems from initial concepts for theMillennium Falcon.[2] WhenSpace: 1999 (1975–1977) featured a ship called anEagle Transporter with an appearance similar to theIndustrial Light & Magic'sFalcon design, the model makers redesigned theFalcon and adapted the initial design for theTantive IV. The revised model was scaled down, with replacements for outsized components and a different cockpit.[2][3] This also explains the 194-centimeter model's intricacy, which would have been necessary for depicting the prominentFalcon.[2] Although not visible in theoriginalStar Wars film, modelmakers put a miniature nudecenterfold in the cockpit's interior.[2] TheTantive IV was the last model completed for the film.[4] A smaller 16-inch model was also made for the shot of the craft receding into the distance.[5] A separate model was needed for this because of the limited length of theDykstraflex track used.[5] That model has lights for the eleven engines to give the illusion of exhausts.[5] The miniature model was in the collection ofGrant McCune until he died in 2010 and it was then sold at auction in 2015 for a record sum of $450,000.[5]
The model was altered slightly forReturn of the Jedi, with the addition of windows along the ship's spine and larger weapons.[3] These modifications were removed in the 1990s.[3] TheRepublic cruiser inStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was designed to be reminiscent of theTantive IV's shape.[2][6]
TheTantive IV first appears in the opening ofStar Wars as it is captured by theImperial I-classStar DestroyerDevastator over Tatooine, It started life as a CR90 named asStar of Alderaan, but was renamed in honor of diplomats fromTantive IV who visited Alderaan, The ship was carryingPrincess Leia and the plans for the Empire'sDeath Star battle station. Leia had taken the ship toTatooine to recruit theJedi MasterObi-Wan Kenobi to join the rebellion. Unable to find Kenobi herself, Leia gives the plans and a message toR2-D2, who escapes withC-3PO in an escape pod and lands on Tatooine. According to theStar Wars Encyclopedia, the ship was subsequently destroyed byDarth Vader.[7] Since the Disney purchase of Lucasfilm, this plotline is part of the non-canonLegends timeline.[8]
The vessel appears at the end ofRogue One (2016), with the film's final scenes depicting how the Death Star plans reached the ship and Leia beginning their journey to Tatooine.[9] The film's novelization further states that the ship was meant to take part in the Battle of Scarif, but had been docked for repairs aboardAdmiral Raddus' ship, the MC75 Star CruiserProfundity. Once the battle was finished, the ship would head to Tatooine to deliverBail Organa's request for help to Obi-Wan Kenobi. However,Tantive IV was forced to launch before repairs were completed due to the capture of theProfundity and in order to protect the newly stolen Death Star plans from Darth Vader. Although they were able to elude Vader initially, damage sustained during the escape and the still-unrepaired malfunctions allowed Vader's ship to disable and catch them above Tatooine.[10][11]
The ship appears inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as the center of theResistance's base[12] and during the final battle on Exegol as part of the Resistance's initial attack fleet.[13] Prior to the events of the film, it was discovered in a state of disrepair by a former Imperial senator in the Yarma system. The senator, who was sympathetic to Leia's cause, repaired the vessel and returned it to her as a gift. It was one of the ships hit by the resurrectedDarth Sidious'Force lightning assault, and although the fate of the ship and its pilot,Nien Nunb, are not mentioned in the movie, it is presumed to be destroyed and Nunb lost. This supposition was confirmed by the novelization's author,Rae Carson.[14]
The ship was initially referred to as the "Rebel blockade runner", andNational Public Radio'sradio adaptation ofStar Wars in 1981 reveals the name "Tantive IV"[3] (pronounced 'Tan-tiv-ee four').[15]Star Wars Expanded Universe material initially referred to the class of ships as "Corellian corvettes", but Lucasfilm later identified them as Alderaan Cruisers.[16] The nameTantive IV was used in various merchandise as well as the officialRogue One novelization. The name may be derived from the term tantivy, referring to a rapid gallop or blaring of horns, associated with the sport offox hunting, suggesting theTantive IV's role in the early scenes ofA New Hope as the hunters' quarry.[original research?]
BothDecipher, Inc. andWizards of the Coast publishedTantive IV and Corellian corvette cards for theStar Wars Customizable Card Game andStar Wars Trading Card Game, respectively.[17][18][19]
A small Lego model of theTantive IV is included with the Ultimate Collector series 3,000-piece Star Destroyer which, at the time of its 2002 release was Lego's largest set.[20]Lego's 1,700-piece Ultimate Collector series blockade runner model, released in 2001, was the first set to include dark red bricks.[21] In 2019, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of such models, Lego released an updated model of theTantive IV .[1]
TwoMicro Machines three-packs included a Corellian corvette toy, andHasbro's Collector Fleet line included an electronic blockade runner.[22][23][24]
Kenner's Die Cast Star Destroyer from 1979 includes a miniatureTantive IV that can be inserted into a docking bay under the Star Destroyer.[25]
TheTantive IV also appears as a ship model in both the X-Wing miniatures game andStar Wars Armada produced by Fantasy Flight Games. A 16-inch (410 mm) miniature of theTantive IV sold at auction for $450,000, making it the most expensiveStar Wars item sold at auction.[26]
