List of Star Wars prequel trilogy characters

This incomplete list contains only the major characters and storylines featured in the three films of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Background

The Star Wars prequel trilogy, colloquially referred to as "the prequels", is a series of epic space-opera films written and directed by George Lucas. It was produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The trilogy was released from 1999 to 2005 and is set before the original Star Wars trilogy (1977–83), chronologically making it the first act of the Skywalker saga.

The prequel trilogy received mixed reviews, generally improving in critical reception with each installment. Common criticisms surrounded the over-reliance on computer-generated imagery and green screens, melodramatic and wooden dialogue (including scenes of romance between Anakin and Padmé), slow-paced political scenes,^[1] and the comic relief character of Jar Jar Binks, whose role was reduced after the first film.^[2]^[a]

Several alien characters introduced in The Phantom Menace have been subject to accusations of racial stereotypes. Jar Jar is asserted to caricature a stereotyped Jamaican,^[4]^[5] while the Gungan species at large has been said to suggest a primitive African tribe.^[2] The greedy Neimoidians of the Trade Federation have been noted as resembling East Asian stereotypes^[6] with some deliberately given Thai accents,^[7] and Watto's mannerisms and hooked nose appearance were based on footage of Alec Guinness as the Jewish character Fagin in the 1948 film Oliver Twist,^[8] leading some to assert that the slave-owning character is a Jewish stereotype.^[9] Lucas denied all accusations of racial stereotypes.^[2]^[10]

Many expressed their disappointment with the trilogy's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, particularly calling the writing weak and the dialogue wooden, although Hayden Christensen's performance in the third film was more well-received.^[11] Contrarily, Ewan McGregor's portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, following in the footsteps of Alec Guinness, has been generally praised.^[12] Natalie Portman has expressed her disappointment with the trilogy's negative reception, saying that "When something has that much anticipation it can almost only disappoint." She also acknowledged that "With the perspective of time, it's been re-evaluated by a lot of people who actually really love them now."^[13]

Main cast

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.

An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
^C indicates a cameo role.
^E indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
^U indicates an uncredited appearance.
^V indicates a voice-only role.
^Y indicates a younger version of the character.

Character	The Phantom Menace (1999)	Attack of the Clones (2002)	Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Qui-Gon Jinn	Liam Neeson
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Ewan McGregor
Padmé Amidala	Natalie Portman
Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader	Jake Lloyd	Hayden Christensen
Palpatine / Darth Sidious	Ian McDiarmid
Jar Jar Binks	Ahmed Best
C-3PO	Anthony Daniels
R2-D2	Kenny Baker
Shmi Skywalker	Pernilla August
Yoda	Frank Oz
Mace Windu	Samuel L. Jackson
Darth Maul	Ray Park
Sabé	Keira Knightley
Count Dooku		Christopher Lee
Bail Organa		Jimmy Smits
Chewbacca			Peter Mayhew

Main characters

Qui-Gon Jinn

Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi Master partnered with his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tasked with protecting the Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, Jinn discovers Anakin Skywalker as a slave on the desert planet of Tatooine. Known for his unconventional methods (that have cost him a seat on the Jedi Council), Jinn implores the Council to allow him to train Anakin despite already having an apprentice in Kenobi, and Anakin being too old to begin the training. When Amidala returns to Naboo to liberate her people from the Trade Federation blockade, Jinn is mortally wounded in a lightsaber duel against Darth Maul. With his dying words, he tasks Kenobi with training Anakin.

The character was portrayed by Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace, and archival audio is heard as Yoda meditates in Attack of the Clones.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi Master and former student of Qui-Gon Jinn whose training is completed by Master Yoda. Kenobi trains Anakin Skywalker to be a Jedi per his former master's dying wish. The two form an extremely close friendship despite Skywalker's penchant for breaking the rules.

The character was portrayed by Ewan McGregor in all three films.

Padmé Amidala

Padmé Amidala served as the queen and later senator for Naboo. She secretly marries Anakin Skywalker, and following his turn to the Dark Side, she dies in childbirth with twins- Luke and Leia.

The character was portrayed by Natalie Portman in all three films.

Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader

Anakin Skywalker is a powerful Jedi Knight believed by some to be the "Chosen One" who will bring balance to the Force. While headstrong, he forms a close friendship with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Skywalker descends towards the Dark Side of the Force after his mother is killed by Tusken Raiders, and he begins having dreams that something similar will happen to Padmé, whom he secretly married. Skywalker is manipulated by Palpatine (actually the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious) into becoming his apprentice, Darth Vader.

The character was portrayed as a child by Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace, and as a young man by Hayden Christensen in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. James Earl Jones returned to voice Darth Vader once the character is entombed in the life support suit following the duel on Mustafar.

Palpatine / Darth Sidious

Sheev Palpatine is a senator from Naboo who ascends to become the Chancellor of the Republic following the vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum during the Naboo crisis. However, his true identity is the Sith Lord called Darth Sidious. As both Chancellor of the Republic and master to Count Dooku (leader of the Separatist factions), Palpatine puppeteers a never-ending war between the two factions to consolidate power. When Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi discover his true identity, Palpatine successfully manipulates Anakin into becoming his apprentice, but not before becoming heavily deformed by Mace Windu. Palpatine uses the attack to declare himself Emperor and reorganize the Republic under his imperial rule.

The character was portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Jar Jar Binks

Jar Jar Binks is a Gungan from Naboo.

The character was portrayed by Ahmed Best in all three films.

C-3PO

C-3PO is a protocol droid built by Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine.

The character was portrayed by Anthony Daniels, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

R2-D2

R2-D2 is an astromech droid serving the government of Naboo.

The character was portrayed by Kenny Baker, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Shmi Skywalker

Shmi Skywalker is the mother of Anakin Skywalker, who tells Qui-Gon Jinn that there was no father. She is later married to Cliegg Lars before her death at the hands of the Tusken Raiders.

The character was portrayed by Pernilla August in the first two films.

Yoda

Yoda is a Jedi Master and leader of the High Council.

The character was portrayed by Frank Oz, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Mace Windu

Mace Windu is a Jedi Master and member of the High Council, second only to Yoda.

The character was portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson.

Darth Maul

Darth Maul is Palpatine's first Sith apprentice. He is sliced in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo.

The character was portrayed by Ray Park in The Phantom Menace.

Sabé

Sabé is Padmé's primary handmaiden and decoy.

The character was portrayed by Keira Knightley in The Phantom Menace.

Count Dooku

Count Dooku is the former master of Qui-Gon Jinn before he left the order, citing the corruption of the Jedi. He then becomes Palpatine's second Sith apprentice, and he leads the Separatist Alliance against the Republic.

The character was portrayed by Christopher Lee in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Bail Organa

Bail Organa is the senator from Alderaan, and one of the leading voices to resist the growing consolidation of power by Chancellor Palpatine, laying the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance. He is married to Breha Organa, the Queen of Alderaan.

The character was portrayed by Jimmy Smits. Breha was portrayed by Rebecca Jackson Mendoza.

Chewbacca

Chewbacca is a Wookiee soldier who fights against the Separatist army on his home planet of Kashyyyk.

The character was portrayed by Peter Mayhew, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Other notable characters

Naboo

Queen Apailana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) – the ruler of Naboo during the transition from the Republic to the Empire
Sio Bibble (Oliver Ford Davies) – governor of Naboo
Dormé (Rose Byrne) – one of Padmé Amidala's handmaidens
Queen Jamillia (Ayesha Dharker) – Amidala's successor
Ric Olié (Ralph Brown) – leader of Bravo Flight, pilot of the Naboo Royal Starship
Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) – Queen Amidala's protector during the Trade Federation crisis
Boss Nass (Brian Blessed) – the proud leader of the Gungans
Captain Tarpals (Steve Speirs) – leader of the Gungan Grand Army
Captain Typho (Jay Laga'aia) – head of Amidala's security detail

Tatooine

Fodesinbeed Annodue (Greg Proops and Scott Capurro) – also known as Fode & Beed, the Troig celebrity podracing announcer
Owen and Beru Lars (Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse) – Anakin's step-brother and sister-in-law following Cliegg Lars' marriage to Shmi Skywalker; entrusted with the care of Luke Skywalker following the death of Padmé, the fall of Anakin, and the rise of the Empire
Cliegg Lars (Jack Thompson) – moisture farmer and father to Owen Lars, freed Shmi Skywalker from Watto and eventually married her
Sebulba (Lewis MacLeod) – a Dug podracer who frequently antagonizes young Anakin
Aurra Sing (Michonne Bourriague) – Palliduvan bounty hunter who frequents the podracing tournaments on Tatooine
Watto (Andy Secombe) – a Toydarian mechanic who owned Anakin and his mother Shmi on Tatooine

Republic Leadership

Ask Aak (Steven Boyle, Paul Spence) – Gran senator representing Malastare
Mas Amedda (Jerome Blake, David Bowers) – Chagrian politician and one of the few to know Palpatine's true identity
Tion Medon (Bruce Spence) – Pau'an politication held hostage by Grievous on Utapau
Sly Moore (Sandi Finlay) – Umbaran aid to Palpatine
Baron Papanoida (George Lucas) – Pantoran chairman
Orn Free Taa (Matt Rowan) – corrupt Twi'lek senator
Tarfful (Michael Kingma) – Wookiee chieftan and general
Finis Valorum (Terence Stamp) – the Chancellor who preceded Palpatine, viewed as weak and ineffective

Coruscant

Dexter Jettster (Ronald Falk) – Besalisk owner of Dex's Diner and friend of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Zam Wesell (Leeanna Walsman) – shapeshifting Clawdite bounty hunter

Jedi

Stass Allie (Lily Nyamwasa) – Tholothian Jedi Master
Depa Billaba (Dipika O'Neill Joti) – Chalactan Jedi Master
Kit Fisto (Zachariah Jensen in Attack of the Clones, Ben Cooke in Revenge of the Sith) – Nautolan Jedi Master
Adi Gallia (Gin Clarke) – Tholothian Jedi Master
Zett Jukassa (Jett Lucas) – Jedi Padawan who died during the raid on the Temple
Agen Kolar (Tux Akindoyeni) – Iridonian Zabrak Jedi Master
Eeth Koth (Hassani Shapi) – Iridonian Zabrak Jedi Master
Plo Koon (Alan Ruscoe, Matt Sloan) – Kel Dor Jedi Master
Ki-Adi-Mundi (Silas Carson) – Cerean Jedi Master
Jocasta Nu (Alethea McGrath) – librarian at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant
Barriss Offee (Nalini Krishan) – Miralan Jedi Padawan
Evan Piell (Michaela Cottrel) – Lannik Jedi Master
Yarael Poof (Michelle Taylor) – Quermian Jedi Master
Oppo Rancisis (Jerome Blake) – Thisspiasian Jedi Master
Aayla Secura (Amy Allen) – Twi-lek Jedi
Shaak Ti (Orli Shoshan) – Togruta Jedi Master
Saesee Tiin (Khan Bonfils in The Phantom Menace, Jesse Jensen in Attack of the Clones, Kenji Oates in Revenge of the Sith) – Iktotchi Jedi Master
Coleman Trebor – Vurk Jedi Master
Luminara Unduli (Mary Oyaya) – Miralan Jedi Master
Yaddle (Phil Eason, puppeteer) – female Jedi master of the same species of Yoda, would later be voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard in Tales of the Jedi

Kamino

Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison) – Mandalorian bounty hunter and genetic template for the clone army
Lama Su (Anthony Phelan) – Prime Minister of Kamino
Taun We (Rena Owen) – Kaminoan administrative aid

Separatist Leadership

Passel Argente (Marty Wetherill, Steven Boyle) – Koorivar Magistrate of the Corporate Alliance funding the Separatist movement
Lott Dod (Silas Carson, Toby Longworth) – Neimoidian who represented the Trade Federation in the Senate
General Grievous (Matthew Wood) – cyborg general of the droid armies during the Clone Wars
Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) – Neimoidian executive and politician leading the Trade Federation
Rune Haako (Jerome Blake, James Taylor, Alan Ruscoe, Chris Truswell, Sandy Thompson)^{[clarification needed]} – Neimoidian official who worked closely with Viceroy Gunray
Poggle the Lesser (portrayed by Marton Csokas, voiced by Ernie Fosselius) – Geonosian leader who controlled the battle droid factories and oversaw the preliminary designs for the Death Star
Wat Tambor (Chris Truswell) – Skakoan Foreman of the Techno Union and Executive of Baktoid Armor Workshop before and during the Clone Wars

Notes

^ The character was so disliked, even by fans, that actor Ahmed Best said he contemplated suicide.^[3]

References

^ Keith, Tamara (December 15, 2015). "Why The Politics Of The 'Star Wars' Universe Makes No Sense". NPR. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c Okwu, Michael (June 9, 1999). "Jar Jar jars viewers, spawns criticism". CNN. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
^ Newbold, Mark (January 5, 2019). "Ahmed Best: That Moment I Opened Up About Suicide". Fantha Tracks. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
^ Harrison, Eric (May 26, 1999). "A Galaxy Far, Far Off Racial Mark?". L.A. Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
^ "Jar Jar Less Conspicuous in 'Clones'". Hollywood.com. May 17, 2002. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
^ Pianka, John Paul (May 2013). "The Power of the Force: Race, Gender, and Colonialism in the Star Wars Universe" (PDF). Office of Graduate Studies, Wesleyan University (Thesis): 1–93. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
^ Lucasfilm (30 May 2002). "Silas Carson: Hero with a Thousand Faces". Lucas Online. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008.
^ Silberman, Steve (May 1999). "G Force: George Lucas fires up the next generation of Star Warriors". Wired. Vol. 7, no. 5. Archived from the original on April 10, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
^ Brooker, Will (April 2001). "Readings of Racism: Interpretation, stereotyping and The Phantom Menace". Continuum. 15 (1): 15–32. doi:10.1080/713657758. ISSN 1030-4312. S2CID 143763901. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
^ "Star Wars: Lucas Strikes Back". BBC News. July 14, 1999. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
^ Dixon, Chris (January 14, 2017). "Reevaluating the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy". Medium. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
^ Mangione, Nick (May 4, 2017). "Defending the Star Wars Prequels: Were They Really That Bad?". Geek.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
^ Travis, Ben (May 3, 2019). "Natalie Portman: Star Wars Prequels Backlash Was 'A Bummer'". Empire. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2019.

[4] The character was so disliked, even by fans, that actor Ahmed Best said he contemplated suicide.^[3]

[1] Keith, Tamara (December 15, 2015). "Why The Politics Of The 'Star Wars' Universe Makes No Sense". NPR. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2019.

[edition.cnn.com-2] Okwu, Michael (June 9, 1999). "Jar Jar jars viewers, spawns criticism". CNN. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2010.

[3] Newbold, Mark (January 5, 2019). "Ahmed Best: That Moment I Opened Up About Suicide". Fantha Tracks. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.

[5] Harrison, Eric (May 26, 1999). "A Galaxy Far, Far Off Racial Mark?". L.A. Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2021.

[6] "Jar Jar Less Conspicuous in 'Clones'". Hollywood.com. May 17, 2002. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved 2021-10-26.

[7] Pianka, John Paul (May 2013). "The Power of the Force: Race, Gender, and Colonialism in the Star Wars Universe" (PDF). Office of Graduate Studies, Wesleyan University (Thesis): 1–93. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

[8] Lucasfilm (30 May 2002). "Silas Carson: Hero with a Thousand Faces". Lucas Online. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008.

[9] Silberman, Steve (May 1999). "G Force: George Lucas fires up the next generation of Star Warriors". Wired. Vol. 7, no. 5. Archived from the original on April 10, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2009.

[10] Brooker, Will (April 2001). "Readings of Racism: Interpretation, stereotyping and The Phantom Menace". Continuum. 15 (1): 15–32. doi:10.1080/713657758. ISSN 1030-4312. S2CID 143763901. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

[11] "Star Wars: Lucas Strikes Back". BBC News. July 14, 1999. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2007.

[12] Dixon, Chris (January 14, 2017). "Reevaluating the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy". Medium. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.

[13] Mangione, Nick (May 4, 2017). "Defending the Star Wars Prequels: Were They Really That Bad?". Geek.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.

[14] Travis, Ben (May 3, 2019). "Natalie Portman: Star Wars Prequels Backlash Was 'A Bummer'". Empire. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2019.

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