Key Takeaways:
– Dave Filoni introduced the Inquisitors in the Star Wars universe, changing the narrative by giving Sith an army.
– The Grand Inquisitor was initially conceived as a Chagrian but ended up as a Pau'an.
– Howard Roflman suggested the change to a Pau'an that was featured in Star Wars Rebels.
– The Inquisitors allowed a fair amount of Jedi-aligned force users to survive Order 66.
– The Inquisitors trained under Darth Vader to hunt Jedi survivors of Order 66.
Understanding the Role of the Inquisitors
Have you ever imagined how terrifying it would be to be a Jedi Survivor after Order 66? Thanks to Dave Filoni, we don't have to imagine. He brought in the Inquisitors, a kind of Sith army, without breaking the well-known Star Wars rule of only having two active Siths. This addition helped to make the lives of the Jedi survivors difficult and exciting, all while avoiding the necessity to weaken the Jedi or overuse Darth Vader in the plot.
Grand Inquisitor's Transformation
The menacing Grand Inquisitor, a critical character in Star Wars: Rebels and Obi-Wan Kenobi, underwent numerous design iterations. Dave Filoni, at the helm of the creative process, initially envisioned the Grand Inquisitor as a creature from the Chagrian species, the same race as Palapatine's aide, Mas Amedda. Later, Howard Roflman, the then-executive vice president of franchise management, suggested making the character a Pau'an. This change stayed and was noticeable when the character debuted in Star Wars Rebels.
Behind the Villain Designs
In a conversation with Star Wars Insider Magazine, Filoni shared his insights on designing villains. He found it a challenging task to keep away from clichés, and he often wondered about the “villain shop” where these characters got their imitation looks. He drew comparisons between the designs of Vader and Maul, two iconic Star Wars villains, to highlight the nuances of character design.
The Role of the Inquisitors
The cunning Inquisitors, trained under Darth Vader himself, prowled the galaxy hunting Jedi survivors of Order 66. They proved to be a practical way to deal with the excess Jedi population after Order 66, without breaking any Star Wars canon. Characters like Cal Kestis, Kanan Jarris, Ahsoka Tano, and Obi-Wan Kenobi all crossed paths with an Inquisitor.
Balance between the Light and Dark Side
While most Inquisitors met their end at the hands of Jedi Padawans, this seeming weakness served to underscore the power of the Light side over the Dark side. Even against these trained Sith affiliates, the Jedi continued to hold their ground, demonstrating the resiliency and power innate to the Light side of the force.
Dave Filoni's introduction of the Inquisitors allowed for an intricate retelling of Jedi survival after Order 66, searching for balance within the force while wrestling with Sith adversaries. This unpredictable, innovative addition to the Star Wars lore tipped the narrative scales, diving deeper into the struggles of the surviving Jedi while providing a new set of menacing villains for fans to love or loathe.
