There are a lot of beloved characters fromStar Wars Episode III—Revenge of the Sithwho have since reappeared in differentStar Warsprojects, but there was one major cut that we can all be thankful for.Clone trooperswere introduced inStar Wars Episode II—Attack of the Clones, but very few of them made lasting impressions, and audiences really didn’t get to know these characters well.
This all changed whenStar Wars: The Clone Warscame out and gave greater depth and personality to the clones. They were no longer a sea of clones, but now their own individual characters that had individual character arcs and stories that were just as compelling as those told of the Jedi.
However, it’s been revealed that one fan-favorite clone almost made his first appearance afterRevenge of the Sithas a villain, and I’m so glad Dave Filoni changed his mind.
Star Wars Nearly Brought Commander Cody Back… As A Villain
The Fan-Favorite Clone Was Almost an Antagonist
Commander Cody was the clone leader who reported in to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and he turned on Obi-Wan following the execution ofOrder 66. For nearly twenty years, that was the last time audiences saw Cody.
However,Star Wars Rebelswriter Henry Gilroy has revealed Cody almost returned as a villain. Speaking at Dragon Con 2018 (viaCBR), Gilroy revealed Rebels would have seenGrand Admiral Thrawncall in an aged Commander Cody - still loyal to the Empire - to help against rebel clones such as Captain Rex, Commander Wolfe, and Gregor.
Naturally, a face-to-face reunion between Cody and Captain Rex would’ve been heartbreaking, especially since Cody would’ve been aligned with the Empire and likely trying to kill Rex.
There aren’t many specific plot details available aboutwhat exactly Dave Filoni would’ve done with Cody, but it’s clear that he’d be working for the Empire and tasked with tracking down his fellow clones.Naturally, a face-to-face reunion between Cody and Captain Rex would’ve been heartbreaking, especially since Cody would’ve been aligned with the Empire and likely trying to kill Rex.
But There Are Still Questions About Cody
Star Wars: The Bad Batchseason 2 brought Commander Cody back for an episodethat was meant to showcase the harshness of the fledgling Empire. The episode, season 2, episode 3’s “The Solitary Clone,” shows Cody struggling within the new Empire and trying to rectify taking orders and being a good human.
A lot of comparisons can be made between Cody’s proposed arc inRebelsand the arc Crosshair has throughoutThe Bad Batch,with it likely inspiring the Clone’s story.
At the end of the episode,Crosshair learns that Cody had gone AWOLafter their last mission. Audiences don’t know what happened to Cody after he left the Empire, or if he ever had his inhibitor chip removed.
There had been rumors that Temuera Morrison would reprise the role of Cody in live-action for theObi-Wan Kenobilimited series, but the idea was scrapped since Morrison had recently played a different clone, Boba Fett, inThe Book of Boba Fett, to not confuse casual viewers. Either way,The Bad Batchgave Cody an ending that opens up opportunities for his return in a different project.
Commander Cody Deserves So Much More Than This Cut Rebels Plan
Cody has been a fan-favorite character for a long time, so making sure his character is honored is super important.While other characters have fallen to the clutches of the Empire (or dark side), it didn’t feel right for that to be Cody’s fate.His bond with Obi-Wan Kenobi was far too strong for that.
In fact, inRebels,Rex comments multiple times about how much he still reveres his former general, Anakin Skywalker, so it’s hard to imagine that Cody feels any differently about Obi-Wan. While it would’ve been great to see Cody appear in anotherStar Warstitle likeRebels, it’s probably for the best.
Fans of Commander Cody certainly wouldn’t want to see him still under the inhibitor chips' control over a decade after Order 66. And while Cody’s appearance inThe Bad Batchleft his fate open-ended, it’s certainly better than what we almost got inRebels.
Here’s hoping thatRevenge of the Sithisn’t the last time we see Cody in live-action, and that he appears in anotherStar Warsproject and gets a proper send-off.
