Hey there, Rebelscum fans! This week on the site we’re looking at one of the pivotal moments from Revenge of the Sith, the Battle of Utapau and the beginning of Order 66. Today we’ll be looking at why it's such an iconic sequence in the saga and sets the stage for the dawn of the Empire. However, you’ll want to stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights, videos, and information on all the coolest merchandising content that you’ll want to be looking for.


The relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan changes dramatically between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, as is clear during their more playful interactions during the overhead Battle of Coruscant. However, in order for Palpatine to sink his teeth into his future apprentice, Obi-Wan needed to leave the planet. He and Anakin part ways as Obi-Wan travels to the planet of Utapau to track down General Grievous.


Removing Obi-Wan from Coruscant was an important story beat, as Anakin is still adjusting to his role on the Jedi Council. Palpatine suggests that he lead the mission to track down Grievous knowing full well that the Council won’t assign him. Obi-Wan tries to quell his apprentice’s anger by insisting that the mission to Utapau will be nothing more than a “wild bantha chase,” but he gets more than he bargained for when he faces off against Grievous and deals with the betrayal of his clone forces in the 212th legion.


Obi-Wan enters the planet to realize that the Seperatist influence is already strong. When he meets with the planet’s ambassador Tion Medon, he discovers that the entire planet is being held hostage by droids and Grievous is planning to transport the rest of the Seperatist Council to Mustafar instead. Obi-Wan forms a bond with Medon and tells him it's time to reveal any resistance forces that he has, and he gets an unexpected new ally in his new ride Boga.


Obi-Wan and Grievous have a previously introduced rivalry that was previewed in the opening sequence, but The Clone Wars showed it in more detail. Obi-Wan and Grievous duel frequently throughout the series in episodes such as “Destroy Malevolence” and “Grievous Intrigue.” While Grievous’ four lightsaber wielding abilities were previewed in the 2D animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, the Battle of Utapau was the first time that it was seen in live action.


Although it's only given brief attention, the larger battle on Utapau between the clones and droids is a major conflict. This was also the adventure that introduced Obi-Wan’s relationship with Commander Cody for the first time. Although The Clone Wars would flesh out many of the clone characters, Cody among them, Obi-Wan’s second-in-command is the only clone who gets much individuality in the live-action films. Temuera Morrison of course returned to play the character.


The cinematic influence on the entire battle was very strong. Certain segments of Obi-Wan’s chase with Grievous were guest directed by Lucas’s long time friend, the legendary Steven Spielberg. The Order 66 montage was inspired by the series of murders at the end of 1972’s The Godfather, which was directed by another one of Lucas’s friends, Francis Ford Coppola.

What do you think, Rebelscum fans? What does the Battle of Utapau mean to you? What are some of your favorite General Grievous merchandising items? Let us know in the forums, and as always, may the Force be with you!

Check out Rebelscum.com merch!
https://www.RebelscumShop.com

Be sure to follow us on all of our social media platforms:
https://www.YouTube.com/RebelscumPage
http://www.Twitter.com/RebelScumNews
http://www.Facebook.com/RebelScumcom
http://www.Instagram.com/RebelScum.Official