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Captain Rex

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This article is about the clone trooper. For the droid pilot RX-24, see Star Tours.
Rex
Star Wars character
Clone trooper Captain Rex with his helmet resting on his knee
Captain Rex in season four of The Clone Wars
First appearanceThe Clone Wars film (2008)
Created byGeorge Lucas
Voiced byDee Bradley Baker
In-universe information
TitleCaptain, later Commander
OccupationClone trooper of the Grand Army of the Republic
Affiliation

332nd Battalion

Captain Rex, later Commander Rex, designation number CT-7567,[a] is a fictional character in the Star Wars science fiction universe created by George Lucas and a main character of the animated The Clone Wars 2008 film and the related television series of the same name. He is a clone trooper of the Grand Army of the Republic, cloned from bounty hunter Jango Fett, and serves the Galactic Republic under the command of Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Since his introduction in The Clone Wars, he has also appeared in the 2014 Star Wars Rebels television series and in comics, novels, and video games of the Star Wars Legends expanded universe. Like all clone troopers in The Clone Wars and Rebels, Rex is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.

He is physically distinguished from other clone troopers by his close-shaved blond hair, and he is identified by blue markings on his armor and by stylized hawk eyes painted on his helmet. Rex was also distinguished by his use of twin blaster pistols in combat.[3] He is described as a reliable and exemplary soldier, considered by Anakin to be his "first-in-command". Rex is characterized as believing it is his duty to not only carry out orders but also to protect the men under his command, but his belief in the Republic wavers over the course of the series.

Initial development for The Clone Wars film chose Alpha-17, featured in Star Wars: Republic, to be the primary clone trooper character. However, Lucas felt this created too much alliteration with the existing principal cast, and a new character was created instead. Rex was developed as the central personality to which the troopers around him aspired and featured in story arcs exploring his character development. Rex became a favorite among fans, consistently placing in fan polls and Star Wars character ranking lists.

Creation and development

Dee Bradley Baker appearing at a convention in 2016.
Baker (pictured) and Filoni approached Rex as the central character type to which the clones around him aspired.

Initial development for The clone Wars film chose Alpha-17, featured in the Star Wars: Republic comic, to be the principal clone trooper character. However, because Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and R2-D2 (Artoo) were also principal characters, Star Wars creator George Lucas felt Alpha's name created too much alliteration between the main cast, and a new character, Captain Rex, was created instead.[4] The name "Rex" was chosen by Lucas. Previously, the name Captain Rex was used for the error-prone rookie droid pilot RX-24 of Star Tours,[5][6][7] who replaced an earlier concept of an unpredictable and risk-taking Clone Wars veteran.[8][b]

Voice actor Dee Bradley Baker voices all the clone trooper characters in The Clone Wars, including Rex. To differentiate the characters, Baker considered the personality traits of every clone, choosing one or two adjectives for each, and recorded each character separately.[10] To aid with the vocal performance, Baker and supervising director Dave Filoni developed a "clone triangle" that arranged the characters by personality. Rex, characterized as the central personality type to which the other clones aspired, was placed in the center, and the other clones, who represented an excess of certain traits relative to Rex, were placed around the edges of the triangle.[11][12]

Filoni wished most for the series to address the fates of Rex and Ahsoka because they do not appear in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which was released before The Clone Wars but is set after the series' timeline.[13] In April 2011, he hinted that the two characters' stories were possibly connected[13] and remarked: "A lot of people say they want to know more about [Ahsoka], and along with that goes Rex."[14] He also voiced the production team's conscious effort to write story arcs for Rex: "I think one of the other things is we have such a great development of Rex that we really want to keep telling Rex's story and things centered around Rex."[15]

Characterization and appearance

The official Star Wars Databank describes Rex as a "no-nonsense, by the book" and "exemplary clone trooper, brave under fire and dedicated to the men serving under him" who must adjust to his "maverick" and "headstrong" Jedi commanding officers. His training is described as having instilled a belief that a soldier's highest calling is duty, though his belief wavers over the course of the Clone Wars and he comes to question the purpose of the conflict. The entry characterized Rex as coming to admire and even imitate Anakin Skywalker's improvisation and willingness to bend rules.[2] In "Darkness on Umbara", Anakin describes Rex as his "first-in-command" and second-to-none in loyalty or capability.[16]

Concept art comparing three different clone trooper helmets.
Rex's later helmet design (right) is a hybrid of his original helmet (left) and the regular Episode III clone trooper helmet (center).

Rex is distinguished by close-shaved blond hair and stylized hawk eyes adorning his helmets; like all members of the 501st, his armor bears blue markings.[17] Later in the series, Rex's armor bears tally marks, representing kills, and Filoni felt it communicated that Rex "is becoming something of a little legend" because he is "a long term survivor of the Clone Wars".[18] He also bears a scar on his chin in homage to actor Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo in the original trilogy.

Rex's later helmet design, first appearing in season four, was composed of elements from both the older Episode II-style and the newer Episode III-style designs. The T-shaped visor of his new helmet used the old visor design as a base and retained the old proportions, requiring some elements to be lowered to fit.[19][20] Filoni developed an in-universe backstory for the design and felt that Rex "trying to wear the same armor" by welding together a hybrid version was a good character trait that added to his uniqueness.[11] Filoni also characterized this specialized helmet and "hodgepodge of old gear and new gear" as indicative of Rex's distrust in the quality of the new armor and Rex's belief that with "classic stuff, the craftsmanship is a little better".[18] Rex continues to wear his helmet and parts of his clone trooper armor in his Rebels appearances.[21]

Fictional history

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Introduced in The Clone Wars animated film and featured throughout the television series of the same name, Captain Rex, designation number CT-7567,[a] is the commanding officer of Torrent Company within the 501st Legion under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Padawan Commander Ahsoka Tano. He fights as a soldier of the Grand Army of the Republic in numerous campaigns of the Clone Wars against the Separatist battle droid army.[2] As a clone trooper, he was cloned on Kamino from bounty hunter Jango Fett and ages at an accelerated rate, aging twenty years in ten years.[22][23]

In a season four story arc, the 501st Legion is temporarily led by Jedi General Pong Krell. In the face of Krell's callousness toward clone lives and refusal to treat the troopers as individuals instead of numbered units, Rex is caught between his duty to follow Krell's orders and his responsibility to protect his men.[16] Despite growing discontent in the ranks and calls for dissent from Fives, Rex does not openly defy Krell.[16][24][25] However, Rex supports a mission led by Fives that is expressly forbidden by Krell but saves numerous clone trooper lives.[25] After orders causes the 501st Legion and the 212th Attack Battalion to unknowingly attack one another, Rex leads the troopers to arrest Krell, who admits he is sabotaging the clone troopers and is later executed.[26] Rex is also involved in a season six story arc centering on a conspiracy regarding the clone troopers. Fives discovers that inhibitor chips are secretly implanted into the clone troopers' brains and can be used to turn them against the Jedi. He reveals this to Rex before he dies.[27]

Rex is a principal character in the Bad Batch story arc, an unfinished story arc released as completed animatics. Shortly after Fives' death, Rex discovers a transmission from Echo, previously apparently killed in action, and leads a successful mission to rescue him. At Star Wars Celebration 2016, Filoni stated that Rex participates in the siege of Mandalore, the intended final story arc before the series' cancellation. Set during Revenge of the Sith. Rex, promoted to commander, leads half of the 501st Legion reassigned to Ahsoka, who previously relinquished command upon leaving the Jedi Order, into an assault of Mandalore, with the intent of capturing the former Sith Lord Darth Maul. Though the assault is successfull and Maul's forces are defeated, with Maul himself captured, Palpatine then issues Order 66, causing Ahsoka's clone troopers to turn on her, including Rex. Ahsoka escapes and manages to remove Rex's chip, restoring his free will. The pair then fake their deaths and part ways, both going into hiding for years to come. [28][29][30] These story arcs were completed and aired when The Clone Wars returned for a seventh season in 2020.

Star Wars Rebels

Rex was first introduced to the Star Wars Rebels series in season two.

Rex is introduced to the Star Wars Rebels television series, set fourteen years after Revenge of the Sith, in the season two episode "The Lost Commanders". Now a much older man due to accelerated aging, Rex lives with fellow clone troopers Commander Wolffe and Captain Gregor. The three are sought by the Ghost crew upon instructions from Ahsoka, and they ask the troopers for help in establishing a new rebel base. Though the three have had their inhibitor chips removed, allowing them to ignore Order 66, former Padawan Kanan Jarrus initially distrusts them. Wolffe, fearing the consequences for aiding rebels and Jedi, contacts the Galactic Empire to protect the clones.[31] However, Rex convinces Wolffe the rebels can be trusted and repels the Empire, in turn earning Kanan's trust. Rex leaves Wolffe and Gregor to join the Rebel Alliance and to fight alongside the Ghost crew and Ahsoka against the Empire.[32] In the epilogue of the series finale "Family Reunion - and Farewell", it is revealed that he was promoted to commander and fought with Hera at the Battle of Endor.

In other media

In March 2016, Filoni supported the former fan theory of Rex being the older member of Han Solo's raiding party, previously known in Legends continuity as Nik Sant, on Endor in Return of the Jedi.[33] In August 2017, writer Steven Melching shared concept art for the fourth season of Star Wars Rebels, and it was reported as a confirmation of this theory, making the first .[34] Melching later clarified that at that time he was not aware if Rex and Sant are the same character, stating that due to the progression of the series, Rex's costume would naturally come to resemble those worn by Rebel Alliance commandos in Return of the Jedi.[35] In a June 2019 episode of Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures, Rex appears in a Battle of Endor scene in the same pose and location as Sant in Return of the Jedi, retroactively implying they are the same character.[36]

Since his introduction in The Clone Wars, Rex has also appeared in comics, novels, and video games of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, also known as Star Wars Legends.

Merchandise

Rex was the featured character for the 2010 Star Wars merchandise trade dress created by Pilot Studio.[37] The concept initially featured Anakin Skywalker, but discussions of other characters best suited to representing the brand led to Rex, "a strong, courageous character who is clearly one of the heroes of The Clone Wars". Pilot Studio was initially reluctant to use Rex because his helmet did not allow for eye contact, an emphasized element in the initial trade dress concept.[38]

Reception

Captain Rex became a favorite among fans. Filoni noted that while older fans were excited to see Grand Moff Tarkin and Chewbacca appear in the series, younger fans appeared to prefer characters like Rex.[14] Baker was surprised Rex became well-liked because the clone troopers were not established as distinct characters in the films.[39]

Rex was ranked 36 in IGN's Top 100 Star Wars characters, where he was described as having a "silly name" but "bad ass". His ability to evolve and adapt as a character and as a soldier was noted, especially his change from scorn to sympathy toward a clone trooper deserter.[40] Eric Goldman felt that the Rebels reunion between Rex and Ahsoka was a poignant moment and the emotional highlight of "Relics of the Old Republic". He also noted that Rex's reintroduction and Ahsoka's complete trust in him raised more questions about Rex in the time between The Clone Wars and Rebels.[41]

Notes

  1. ^ a b In August 2011, the official Star Wars Databank entry for Captain Rex gave his designation number as CC-7567.[1] The designation CT-7567 is stated in dialogue in the episodes "Darkness on Umbara" and "The General" and is given in a subsequent version of the Databank entry.[2]
  2. ^ RX-24 also appears in Star Wars Rebels, along with Captain Rex. Disney acknowledged RX-24's nickname by renaming him R-3X for the Disney Parks themed area Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Rex, Clone Captain". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Clone Captain Rex". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  3. ^ "Clone Captain Rex". StarWars.com. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  4. ^ Parisi, Frank; Scheppke, Gary (2009). The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Chronicle Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8118-6889-1.
  5. ^ Epstein, Jeffrey (August 9, 2011). "Star Tours with Paul Reubens". D23. Disney. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  6. ^ Granshaw, Lisa (October 16, 2015). "Thank the Maker! The 59 best droids in the Star Wars universe, ranked". Blastr. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  7. ^ West, Jay (March 10, 2011). "'Star Tours' flashback: The rapping C-3PO of 1987". LA Times. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Gordon, Bruce; Mumford, David; Tietz, Chris (May 1987). "Star Wars: The Disneyland Journey, Part 1". Starlog. No. 118. p. 49. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  9. ^ Mithaiwala, Mansoor (July 30, 2019). "How Star Wars Introduced The Original Captain Rex Into Canon In 2014". ScreenRant. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  10. ^ "The Voice of "Rookies"". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. October 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Filoni, Dave; Plunkett, Kilian; Tucker, Jason; Kellog, Keith (2012). Darkened World of Umbara (DVD). Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 4. Lucasfilm.
  12. ^ Filoni, David; Aron, Joel; Collins, Dave (2012), Star Wars Celebration VI: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 5
  13. ^ a b Goldman, Eric (April 3, 2011). "WC 11: Clone Wars Season 4 - Grievous vs. Gungans!". IGN. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Truitt, Brian (March 24, 2011). "Chewbacca highlights an epic end to third season of 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'". USA Weekend. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  15. ^ Goldman, Eric (August 26, 2011). "Star Wars: The Clone Wars - What's to Come in Season 4". IGN. p. 1. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  16. ^ a b c Michnovetz, Matt (October 28, 2011). "Darkness on Umbara". Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 4. Episode 7. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Clone Captain Rex". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  18. ^ a b Goldman, Eric (August 26, 2011). "Star Wars: The Clone Wars - What's to Come in Season 4". IGN. p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  19. ^ "Darkness on Umbara Trivia Gallery". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  20. ^ "Darkness on Umbara Concept Art Gallery". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  21. ^ "The Lost Commanders Concept Art Gallery". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  22. ^ "Clone Troopers". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  23. ^ "Clone troopers". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  24. ^ Michnovetz, Matt (November 4, 2011). "The General". Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 4. Episode 8. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b Michnovetz, Matt (November 11, 2011). "Plan of Dissent". Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 4. Episode 7. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Matt, Michnovetz (November 18, 2011). "Carnage of Krell". Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 4. Episode 7. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Lucas, Katie (February 15, 2014). "Orders". Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 6. Episode 4. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016". Official Star Wars YouTube Channel. Panelists Dave Filoni, Ashley Eckstein, Pablo Hidalgo. Moderated by Dave Collins. YouTube. July 15, 2016. 33:01-33:33. Retrieved August 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  29. ^ Koch, Cameron (July 15, 2016). "Ahsoka May Return In 'Star Wars Rebels' Season 3". Tech Times. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  30. ^ Whitbrook, James (July 15, 2016). "The Untold Stories of Ahsoka Tano Broke Our Hearts—And Ahsoka's, Too". io9. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  31. ^ Michnovetz, Matt (October 14, 2015). "The Lost Commanders". Star Wars Rebels. Season 2. Episode 3. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Melching, Steven (October 21, 2015). "Relics of the Old Republic". Star Wars Rebels. Season 3. Episode 3. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Sciretta, Peter (March 30, 2016). "A 'Star Wars' Animated Character Might've Appeared in a Live-Action Star Wars Movie?". /Film. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  34. ^ Mithaiwala, Mansoor (August 5, 2017). "Star Wars Rebels Concept Art Confirms Return of the Jedi Connection". ScreenRant. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  35. ^ Steven Melching [@stevenmelching] (August 5, 2017). "Friends, please allow me to clarify my provocative and badly-worded tweet from earlier today. 1/" (Tweet). Retrieved August 7, 2017 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Latest Galaxy of Adventures short gives us a brief glimpse at Captain Rex fighting in the Battle of Endor!". Star Wars Thoughts. June 15, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  37. ^ "A Saga of Work". Pilot Studio. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  38. ^ "2010 Star Wars Packaging Revealed". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  39. ^ Amaya, Eric (October 14, 2015). "Dee Bradley Baker and Ashley Eckstein On Returning To Star Wars Rebels". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  40. ^ "Captain Rex - #36 Star Wars Character". IGN. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  41. ^ Goldman, Eric (October 21, 2015). "Star Wars Rebels: "Relics Of The Old Republic" Review". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
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