<Tr> <Th> Affiliation </Th> <Td> Galactic Empire Galactic Republic (formerly) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Homeworld </Th> <Td> Eriadu </Td> </Tr> <P> Governor Wilhuff "Grand Moff" Tarkin, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, first portrayed by Peter Cushing in the 1977 film Star Wars . He is the commander of the Death Star, the Galactic Empire's dwarf planet - sized super weapon . The character has been called "one of the most formidable villains in Star Wars history ." </P> <P> Tarkin's character was originally conceived as a holy man from the planet Aquila, but was changed later in the creative process into an antagonist . As the Emperor would not appear until later in the original trilogy, Lucas used Tarkin's final version as the "main villain" of the first film, a personification of the Empire . </P>

Who plays grand moff tarkin in star wars