Page 125 - Star Wars Insider (Special Edition 2019)

SMALL BEGINNINGS

Star Wars has a long legacy of characters Concept art for a menacing Sith warrior make the cut for the second prequel movie,
evolving from small beginnings to become can be found in The Art of Star Wars Episode II: either. McCaig admits to being disappointed
impactful participants in the fabric of the Attack of the Clones. Villainous women were by the decision to move away from the female
saga. The most recognizable example is championed by Iain McCaig, also known for Sith conceptualization, but as with many good
Boba Fett, who began to take on a life of his his designs of Padmé and Queen Amidala. ideas in Star Wars, these striking designs
own with the release of his action-fi gure prior In the book, McCaig discusses the creation would live to see another day.
to the theatrical debut of The Empire Strikes process for the Attack of the Clones’ new Sith: Asajj Ventress was given a name when
Back. From there, the bounty “I felt this was a great opportunity to introduce the artwork was fleshed out into a character

hunter’s tale is the stuff of a strong woman character, to give girl fans an (no longer a Sith) as part of the Clone Wars
legend, or rather spread across icon.” While McCaig experimented with multi-media project from 2002-2005, which
a vast portion of the Legends stories as well female Sith variations like a Padmé-inspired included the Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-
as playing a role in the prequel trilogy and dark queen and a medusa-like alien, Dermot series, books, and comics. It sought to tell
The Clone Wars television show. Other Power developed a vampiric, shaven-head stories within the timeline between Attack of
background characters, such as Aurra Sing warrior and martial arts-inspired alien with the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, giving depth

and Bossk, have earned more affection from dual blades. This was not the first time a to the events that led to the fall of the Jedi
fans than was originally imagined for them. female villain had been tossed around in the Order and the rise of the Empire. The heroes
Asajj Ventress’s origin is even more humble conceptual phase; a fearsome Sith witch of the Republic would face off with the
than a character developed to populate the appeared in The Phantom Menace concept art. conquering villains in Episode III, but as they
world-building; she started as a visual that The Sith witch was set aside in favor of Darth moved toward their ultimate defeat, new foes
did not make the original cut during the Maul, and the female Sith warriors did not were necessary to create surmountable
movie-making process. obstacles, affording the heroes some victories
along the way.

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