{{Short description|Fictional Star Wars spaceship}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Tantive IV''}} {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Tantive IV'' | series = Star Wars | image = Tantive IV.JPG | alt = | caption = CR90 Corellian ''Tantive IV'' Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy used by Leia Organa as her personal Consular ship | first = ''Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker'' (1976) | first_minor = | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = <!-- or |last_issue= --> | last_date = | creator = | based_on = CR70 Corellian Corvette | affiliation = {{plainlist| * Royal House of Alderaan (consular security) * Galactic Republic * Alliance to Restore the Republic * Resistance }} | launched = By 22 BBY | decommissioned = 35 ABY, Exegol (Canon)<br>0 BBY, destroyed over Tatooine (Legends) | captain = Raymus Antilles | class = CR90 corvette | registry = Corellian Engineering Corporation | fighters = 3 fighters (external mounting) | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist| *1 shuttle (ventral bay) *4 12-passenger escape pods *8 4-passenger escape pods }} | armaments = {{plainlist| * 2 dual anti-ship turbolasers * 4 single anti-fighter turbolasers * 1 tractor beam projector (optional) }} | defense = Shield generators<br>Ceramic hull plating | max_speed = 950 km/h (atmosphere) | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Class 2-CEC Subspace Hyperdrive *11 Ion Turbine (Drive Overcharged sublight drive assembly) }} | chassis = | mass = | length = {{convert|126|m}} | width = | height = {{convert|49|m}} | population_volume = 165-300 *200-600 passengers *3000 metric tons of cargo *1 year's worth of consumables }}
The '''''Tantive IV'' Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|æ|n|t|ɪ|ˌ|v|i|_|f|ɔr|}} (also referred to by its model as the '''CR90 Corellian corvette''' or simply as the '''Rebel Blockade Runner''')<ref name=Lego20/> is a fictional spaceship in the ''Star 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 by Leia Organa in the original ''Star Wars'' film{{EpIV}} and was the first vessel audiences saw when ''Star Wars'' premiered in 1977. Other CR90 Corellian corvettes, which share the ''Tantive IV''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s design, appear in ''Return of the Jedi'' and in the ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe's books, comics, TV series, and games. A ship of similar design to the ''Tantive IV'' also appears in the sequel trilogy film ''Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'' (2019).
==Origin and design== The ship's design stems from initial concepts for the ''Millennium Falcon''.<ref name="bts">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/tantiveiv/?id=bts|title=Tantive IV (Rebel blockade runners) (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|access-date=2007-08-23|publisher=Lucasfilm}}</ref> When ''Space: 1999'' (1975–1977) featured a ship called an ''Eagle'' Transporter with an appearance similar to the Industrial Light & Magic's ''Falcon'' design, the model makers redesigned the ''Falcon'' and adapted the initial design for the ''Tantive IV''. The revised model was scaled down, with replacements for outsized components and a different cockpit.<ref name="bts" /><ref name="SculptingAG">{{cite book|title=Sculpting A Galaxy - Inside the Star Wars Model Shop|last=Peterson|first=Lorne|location= San Rafael, California|publisher=Insight Editions|year=2006|isbn=1-933784-03-2|edition=1st|pages=2–3}}</ref> This also explains the 194-centimeter model's intricacy, which would have been necessary for depicting the prominent ''Falcon''.<ref name="bts" /> Although not visible in the original ''Star Wars'' film, modelmakers put a miniature nude centerfold in the cockpit's interior.<ref name="bts" /> The ''Tantive IV'' was the last model completed for the film.<ref>{{cite book|title=How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise|location=New York |publisher=Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group|first=Chris|last=Taylor|author-link=Chris Taylor (journalist)|year=2014|page=172|isbn=978-0-465-05693-4}}</ref> A smaller 16-inch model was also made for the shot of the craft receding into the distance.<ref name=autoevo/> A separate model was needed for this because of the limited length of the Dykstraflex track used.<ref name=autoevo/> That model has lights for the eleven engines to give the illusion of exhausts.<ref name=autoevo/> The miniature model was in the collection of Grant McCune until he died in 2010 and it was then sold at auction in 2015 for a record sum of $450,000.<ref name=autoevo/>
The model was altered slightly for ''Return of the Jedi'', with the addition of windows along the ship's spine and larger weapons.<ref name=SculptingAG/> These modifications were removed in the 1990s.<ref name=SculptingAG/> The Republic cruiser in ''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' was designed to be reminiscent of the ''Tantive IV''{{'}}s shape.<ref name="bts" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/republiccruiser/?id=bts|title=Republic Cruiser (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|access-date=2007-08-23|publisher=Lucasfilm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030400/http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/republiccruiser/?id=bts|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref>
==Depiction== [[Image:devastator2.jpg|thumb|200px|The ''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyer ''Devastator'' chases the ''Tantive IV'' over Tatooine.]] The ship started life as a CR90 named as ''Star of Alderaan'', but was renamed in honor of diplomats from ''Tantive'' ''IV'' who visited Alderaan.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}
The final scenes of ''Rogue One'' depict the plans for the Empire's Death Star battle station reaching the ''Tantive'' ''IV'' with Leia on her journey to Tatooine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a817382/star-wars-rogue-one-gareth-edwards-that-cameo-wasnt-continuity-error/|title=Rogue One director says THAT cameo is no plot hole|last=Armitage|first=Hugh|date=2016-12-20|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref> According to the film's novelization, the ship was docked for repairs aboard Admiral Raddus' MC75 Star Cruiser ''Profundity'', though it was intended to take a part in the Battle of Scarif. With the capture of the ''Profundity'', the ship was forced to launch with partial repairs to protect the plans from Darth Vader. Although they were able to elude Vader initially, damage sustained during the escape allowed Vader's ship to disable and catch them above Tatooine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rogue-one-novelization/|title=17 Rogue One Secrets Revealed in the Official Novelization|date=2017-01-16|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/ah-so-thats-why-leia-was-at-the-battle-of-scarif-in-ro-1791487141|title=Ah, So That's Why Leia Was at the Battle of Scarif in Rogue One|website=io9|date=January 22, 2017 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref>
The ''Tantive'' ''IV'' appears in the first scene of ''Star Wars'' as it is captured by the ''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyer ''Devastator'' over Tatooine. Leia had taken the ship, alongside the plans, to Tatooine to recruit the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to join the rebellion. Unable to find Kenobi, Leia gives the plans and a message to R2-D2, who escapes with C-3PO in an escape pod and lands on Tatooine.
Though the ''Tantive'' ''IV's'' ultimate fate was left unknown in ''Star Wars'', according to the 1998 ''Star Wars Encyclopedia'', the ship was subsequently destroyed by Darth Vader.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sansweet|first=Stephen J.|title=Star Wars Encyclopedia|publisher=Ballantine|year=1998|isbn=0-345-40227-8|edition=1st|location=New York|page=30|oclc=36960986|author-link=Steve Sansweet}}</ref> This is now considered a part of the non-canonical ''Legends'' timeline.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 25, 2014|title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|access-date=April 15, 2021|website=StarWars.com}}</ref>
The ship appears in ''The Rise of Skywalker'' as the center of the Resistance's base<ref>{{Cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|title=The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|publisher=Abrams|others=Carter, Rick|year=2020|isbn=978-1-4197-4038-1|location=New York|pages=148|oclc=1100598789}}</ref> and during the final battle on Exegol as part of the Resistance's initial attack fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2020/01/01/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoilers-tantive-iv-leia-organa/|title=Here's How Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Brought Back This Iconic Spaceship|website=Star Wars|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref> Prior to the events of the film, it was discovered in a state of disrepair decades after the Battle of Yavin 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. The ship and its pilot, Nien Nunb, were hit by Darth Sidious' Force lightning assault. According to Rae Carson, author of the film's novelization, Nunb died mid-battle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/movies/474956-the-rise-of-skywalker-vfx-artist-confirms-star-wars-resistance-ship-in-final-battle|title = The Rise of Skywalker VFX Artist Confirms Star Wars Resistance Ship in Final Battle|date = January 9, 2020}}</ref>
==Name== The ship was initially referred to as the "Rebel blockade runner", and National Public Radio's radio adaptation of ''Star Wars'' in 1981 reveals the name "''Tantive IV''"<ref name="SculptingAG" /> (pronounced 'Tan-tiv-ee four').<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kandell |first1=Zachary |title=Star Wars: Why Tantive IV Is NOT Pronounced Like It Should Be |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-tantive-iv-name-pronunciation-different/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=29 April 2020 |date=28 April 2020}}</ref> ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe material initially referred to the class of ships as "Corellian corvettes", but Lucasfilm later identified them as Alderaan Cruisers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/alderaan-cruiser|title=Alderaan Cruiser|website=StarWars.com|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=October 13, 2016}}</ref> The name ''Tantive IV'' was used in various merchandise as well as the official ''Rogue One'' novelization. The name may be derived from the term tantivy, referring to a rapid gallop or blaring of horns, associated with the sport of fox hunting, suggesting the ''Tantive IV''<nowiki/>'s role in the early scenes of ''A New Hope'' as the hunters' quarry.{{Original research inline|date=February 2024}}
==Games and models== Both Decipher, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast published ''Tantive IV'' and Corellian corvette cards for the ''Star Wars Customizable Card Game'' and ''Star Wars Trading Card Game'', respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decipher.com/starwars/cardlists/swallcards.pdf|title=Star Wars Customizable Card Game Complete Card List|access-date=2007-08-23|publisher=Decipher, Inc.|date=2001-08-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014432/http://www.decipher.com/starwars/cardlists/swallcards.pdf|archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/9393|title=Tantive IV (A)|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2007-08-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225185815/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/9393|archive-date=2007-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/9597|title=Corellian Corvette|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2007-08-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225185820/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/9597|archive-date=2007-12-25}}</ref>
A small Lego model of the ''Tantive 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/collecting/news/lego/news20020923.html|title=LEGO Ultimate Collector Star Destroyer|date=2002-09-23|access-date=2007-08-23|publisher=Lucasfilm|work=Star Wars Collecting |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070319112355/http://www.starwars.com/collecting/news/lego/news20020923.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Lego's 1,700-piece Ultimate Collector series blockade runner model, released in 2001, was the first set to include dark red bricks.<ref>{{cite web |title=LEGO Store - Product (Rebel Blockade Runner) |url=http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=10019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807125121/http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=10019 |archive-date=2007-08-07 |access-date=2007-08-23 |publisher=Lego}}</ref> In 2019, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of such models, Lego released an updated model of the ''Tantive IV'' .<ref name=Lego20/>
Two Micro Machines three-packs included a Corellian corvette toy, and Hasbro's Collector Fleet line included an electronic blockade runner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11787|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|title=#4: Blockade Runner, Sandcrawler, Y-wing (1994)|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2007-08-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183043/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11787|archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11790|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|title=#I: TIE Interceptor, Star Destroyer, Blocade Runner (1995)|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2007-08-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030812/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11790|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=toys/cfrunnerbox.jpg|title=Rebel Blockade Runner|publisher=Rebelscum.com|access-date=2007-08-23}}</ref>
Kenner's Die Cast Star Destroyer from 1979 includes a miniature ''Tantive IV'' that can be inserted into a docking bay under the Star Destroyer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etsy.com/listing/221398966/vintage-1979-kenner-star-wars-die-cast|title=Vintage 1979 Kenner Star Wars Die Cast : Imperial Star Destroyer 100% Complete and Original With Mini Tantive IV Blockade Runner|website=Etsy|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>
The ''Tantive IV'' also appears as a ship model in both the X-Wing miniatures game and ''Star Wars'' Armada produced by Fantasy Flight Games. A {{convert|16|in|adj=on}} miniature of the ''Tantive IV'' sold at auction for $450,000, making it the most expensive ''Star Wars'' item sold at auction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-film-starwars-auction-idUSKCN0RW28N20151003|title=''Star Wars'' spaceship model sets auction record|date=Oct 2, 2015|access-date=Oct 4, 2015|first=Jill|last=Serjeant|publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
==References==
=== Footnotes === {{Notelist}}
=== Citations === <references> <ref name=Lego20>{{citation |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/12/lego-star-wars-celebrates-20th-anniversary-with-tantive-iv-special-edition-set-9194729/ |newspaper=Metro |title=Lego Star Wars celebrates 20th anniversary with Tantive IV special edition set |date=12 April 2019}}</ref> <ref name=autoevo>{{citation |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/original-blockade-runner-from-1977-star-wars-sells-for-450000-100639.html |title=Original Blockade Runner from 1977 Star Wars Sells for $450,000 |date=5 October 2015 |author=Ionut Ungureanu |journal=Autoevolution}}</ref> </references>
==External links== * {{Star Wars Databank|subject=tantive-iv|text=''Tantive IV''}} * {{Wookieepedia|Tantive IV|''Tantive IV''}} * {{Wookieepedia|CR90 corvette}}
{{Star Wars universe|state=collapsed}}
Category:Star Wars spacecraft Category:Fictional story elements introduced in 1977 Category:Fictional story elements introduced in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope