The idea of The Clone Wars was first mentioned in the firstStar Warsfilm in 1977, but since then clones have gone on to have one of the craziest journeys in the entire franchise. When Obi-Wan Kenobi revealed to Luke Skywalker that he fought with his father in The Clone Wars, it was simply a bit of world-building inStar Wars(later retitledA New Hope). However, when George Lucas returned to a galaxy far, far away for the prequel trilogy, he introduced clone troopers and the Clone Wars inStar Wars Episode II — Attack of the Clones.
Since they first appeared onscreen,clone troopershave appeared in more than half a dozenStar Warstitles in some form. Many fans see many of the animatedStar Warsshow as a part of a kind of clone anthology where audiences get to know and understand them better. In particularStar Wars: The Clone WarsandStar Wars: The Bad Batchhave a heavy focus on the clone troopers, their stories, and their struggles. However, before this, the role of the clones inStar Warswas very different.
Everybody Knew What Clone Trooper Armor Foreshadowed
Ever Since They First Showed Up, They Alluded to Something Darker
When the clone troopers first appeared inAttack of the Clonesit wasn’t surprising that their armor looked suspiciously familiar. It was clear that George Lucas was setting up the clones to be the precursors to theImperial Stormtroopers. While the clones had much more colorful armor than the stark black and white of the stormtrooper, the design was distinctly similar. As time has gone on,the differences between clone armor and stormtrooper armor have become more pronounced,but it didn’t start that way.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Voice Cast - What The Actors Look Like In Real Life
Star Wars: The Clone Wars features an all-star live-action cast, bringing iconic characters like Anakin Skywalker and Palpatine to life.
InThe Clone Wars,many clones painted their armor to distinguish themselves from their brothers. This also allowed audiences to differentiate them from others. This was necessary becausethe clones were seen as their own characters whereas stormtroopers were mainly this unknowable and unimportant force of evil.Star Warswanted audiences to know and become attached to these characters in a way that they never could with stormtroopers.
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InStar Wars Episode III—Revenge of the Sith, whenPalpatine executed Order 66the entire clone army turned on their Jedi generals.Audiences questioned for years how the clones could’ve been so heartless as to immediately shoot down their leaderswith no remorse. It was believed that the clones acted of their own free will and were just part of a larger conspiracy within the Republic ranks.
Order 66 Was Already Gruesome, But It’s Gotten So Much More Horrific Since Revenge of the Sith
When the Jedi were massacred in Order 66 it was horrific; however, the pain and suffering of the Jedi was only the beginning of Order 66’s legacy.
This act soiled any goodwill audiences had toward clones for a long time, as audiences always knew that no matter what, they’d all eventually turn on the Jedi who they worked alongside. So, while some clone troopers were beloved by viewers - such asCommander Cody, who appears in bothRevenge of the SithandThe Clone Wars- the image of him shooting down Obi-Wan Kenobi on Utapau was ingrained in their minds.Star Warsneeded to change this view, with a major retcon that rewrote the clones' role.
The Clone Wars Treated Clone Troopers As Heroes
The Show Changed The Clones’ Narrative
Giving clone troopers names and different personality traits inThe Clone Wars, helped establish them as more than just the people who’d eventually kill the Jedi. Episode after episode, theclones proved that they’d die for the Republic to live on; they were beyond loyal, even if that loyalty killed them.Not only that, but it was clear that the clone army was much more strategic and therefore effective than the Separatist droid army.
Story arcs like following the Domino Squad or the Umbara arc really established some fan-favorite clones as well as showed that the clones may have had the same face, they were truly all individuals who could think for themselves.
By having individual arcs that focused solely on the clones inThe Clone Wars,it became evident early on that clone troopers were heroes, but it was still difficult to know that these clones would eventually be the ones to strike down the Jedi.Story arcs like following theDomino Squador the Umbara arc really established some fan-favorite clones as well as showed that the clones may have had the same face, they were truly all individuals who could think for themselves.
The Clone Wars' Inhibitor Chip Changed Everything
And Fixed Audience Perception
For years, it wasn’t clear how or why the clones turned on their Jedi generals without a second thought, especially afterThe Clone Wars' first five seasons established them as heroes who’d die for the Republic and their Jedi generals. However, inThe Cone Warsseason 6 premiered, the first arc focused on ARC Trooper Fives from the501st Legionandhis journey to uncover the fact that the clones had all been made with inhibitor chips in their brains.While Nala Se and the Kaminoans claimed it was for behavior issues, audiences knew the truth.
Fives was killed after removing his inhibitor chip, but because of a report, that allowed Ahsoka Tano to help free Captain Rex from his chip after Order 66.
Theinhibitor chipsthat the clones unknowingly had implanted in their brains weren’t known to them or the Jedi, but the Jedi Council’s inaction after discovering them is one of the biggest faults of the Jedi Order.The inhibitor chips changed audiences' perspectives of the clones because it became clear that them killing the Jedi wasn’t their choice;they were forced to do it. It also solved the odd inconsistency where the clones were war heroes but also committed mass murder. While tragic, it did provide a necessary explanation.
The Clones Are Now One Of Star Wars' Most Tragic Yet Courageous Stories
These Stories Go Farther Than The Clone Wars
WhileThe Clone Warsshowcased the heroism of the clones,The Clone Warsseason 7 showcased the pure tragedy of it all. It showed Order 66 from the perspective of former Jedi Ahsoka Tano and clone Captain Rex.Seeing Rex’s adversity and loyalty to what’s right even when it meant leaving behind his brothers to sure death was heartbreaking but incredibly courageous. Outside ofThe Clone Wars, the strength of clone stories can be seen inStar Wars Rebelswhere audiences see Captain Rex, Commander Wolfe, and Gregor all in their older years and joining the fight against the Empire.
The tragic story of the clones continued inStar Wars: The Bad Batchwhere it was shown the mistreatment the clones received after the fall of the Republic. Not only were they cast aside, but many were experimented on and tortured. Despite all of this hardship, there are moments when these clones show how brave and courageous they are. The views of clones have certainly changed in the 20 years since they were introduced inAttack of the Clones,but there’s no doubt that since then they’ve become some of the most beloved characters inStar Wars.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
