The idea of The Clone Wars was first mentioned in the first Star Wars film 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 in Star Wars (later retitled A 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 in Star Wars Episode II — Attack of the Clones.

Since they first appeared onscreen, clone troopers have appeared in more than half a dozen Star Wars titles in some form. Many fans see many of the animated Star Wars show as a part of a kind of clone anthology where audiences get to know and understand them better. In particular Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: The Bad Batch have a heavy focus on the clone troopers, their stories, and their struggles. However, before this, the role of the clones in Star Wars was 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 in Attack of the Clones it 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 the Imperial 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.

In The 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 because the clones were seen as their own characters whereas stormtroopers were mainly this unknowable and unimportant force of evil. Star Wars wanted audiences to know and become attached to these characters in a way that they never could with stormtroopers.

The Clones Initially Acted Upon Order 66 Of Their Own Free Will

It Was One Of Star Wars’ Most Shocking Moments

In Star Wars Episode III—Revenge of the Sith, when Palpatine executed Order 66 the 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 leaders with 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.

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 as Commander Cody, who appears in both Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars - the image of him shooting down Obi-Wan Kenobi on Utapau was ingrained in their minds. Star Wars needed 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 in The Clone Wars, helped establish them as more than just the people who’d eventually kill the Jedi. Episode after episode, the clones 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 in The 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 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.

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 after The Clone Wars' first five seasons established them as heroes who’d die for the Republic and their Jedi generals. However, in The Cone Wars season 6 premiered, the first arc focused on ARC Trooper Fives from the 501st Legion and his 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.

The inhibitor chips that 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

While The Clone Wars showcased the heroism of the clones, The Clone Wars season 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 of The Clone Wars, the strength of clone stories can be seen in Star Wars Rebels where audiences see Captain Rex, Commander Wolfe, and Gregor all in their older years and ing the fight against the Empire.

The tragic story of the clones continued in Star Wars: The Bad Batch where 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 in Attack of the Clones, but there’s no doubt that since then they’ve become some of the most beloved characters in Star Wars.