Darth Plagueis,also referred to as Darth Plagueis the Wise, is a fictional character in theStar Warsfranchise created byGeorge Lucas.ASith Lordperceived to have the ability to cheat death and create life, Plagueis is the Enigma tic mentor ofPalpatine(known by his Sith name Darth Sidious), who eventually betrays Plagueis by murdering him in his sleep, taking his place as Sith Master in accordance with the Sith'sRule of Two.The character was first mentioned on-screen in the 2005 filmStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,in which Palpatine frames his life and death as a "legend" to piqueAnakin Skywalker's curiosity about thedark side of the Force.Plagueis has a more prominent presence in theStar Wars Expanded Universe.
| Darth Plagueis | |
|---|---|
| Star Warscharacter | |
 Darth Plagueis as he appears inStar Wars Legendsmaterial | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | George Lucas |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Hego Damask II (Legends) |
| Species | Muun |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Darth Plagueis |
| Occupation | Dark Lordof theSith Magister of Damask Holdings (Legends) |
| Affiliation | Sith Order (Canon) Sith Order, InterGalactic Banking Clan and Damask Holdings (Legends) |
| Family | Hego Damask I (grandfather;Legends) Caar Damask (father;Legends) |
| Master | Darth Tenebrous |
| Apprentices | “Qimir” /The Stranger Darth Sidious |
| Homeworld | Mygeeto(Legends) |
Development
editThe character of Darth Plagueis was conceived byGeorge Lucasas early as the first draft of the screenplay forStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith(2005), or possibly earlier. The first draft dates from April 2003.[1]Despite how laterStar Warsworks would portray Plagueis as having power over life and death as described byPalpatinein the film, Lucas intended Palpatine's tale about Plagueis' abilities to be a lie.[2]He came up with Plagueis' species forJames Lucenoto use when writing the character's eponymous 2012 novel after Luceno asked him if the character could be an alien, sending Luceno some artist renderings of Plagueis, including that of a Muun.[3]
For theDisney+miniseriesThe Acolyte(2024), showrunnerLeslye Headlanddecided early on to feature Darth Plagueis in the first season finale due to her interest to see the character debut in live-action media. The character makes acameo appearanceearly on the season finale; an early version had him showing up at the end instead ofYoda,but Headland discarded that due to not wanting to ruin Osha's triumph. Headland also felt that Plagueis' appearance adds to the inevitable tragedy of Osha and "The Stranger" being doomed to fail in their plans due to theSith's Rule of Two.[4]To create the character's appearance, Headland and her crew rendered Plagueis entirely throughCGIwithout any use ofmotion capture.[5]
Appearances
editRevenge of the Sith
editDarth Plagueis is first mentioned in the 2005 prequel filmRevenge of the Sith.While attending the opera, Palpatine, who is secretly theSith LordDarth Sidious, tellsAnakin Skywalkerabout "the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise". Palpatine explains that Plagueis was so powerful and wise, he had mastered the dark side ofthe Forceto such an extent that he could cheat death and create life; unnatural abilities which are unknown to theJedi.Ironically, Plagueis was unable to prevent his own death at the hands of his apprentice (who was Palpatine himself), who killed him in his sleep.[6]Later in the film, Palpatine, as Sidious, tempts Anakin to the dark side by promising to use its power to prevent Anakin's pregnant wifePadmé Amidalafrom dying, as Anakin had foreseen.
The Rise of Skywalkernovelization
editDarth Plagueis is mentioned inRae Carson's novelization of the 2019 filmThe Rise of Skywalker.In the book, it is revealed that Palpatine had discovered Plagueis' "secret to immortality", using this knowledge to resurrect himself after his death inReturn of the Jedi.[7]The novel further explains that Plagueis had attempted to create a powerful connection with Palpatine known as a 'Force dyad', a concept mentioned in the film as occurring naturally betweenReyandBen Solo.[7][8]Plagueis' inability to use his powers to save himself from death is also detailed in the novelization; Plagueis "had not acted fast enough in his own moment of death" to prevent Palpatine from killing him.[7][9]
The Acolyte
editDarth Plagueis made his first live-action appearance in the seriesThe Acolyte.During the final episode of the season, he made a smallcameo appearancefrom a distance as he watches his apprentice, “Qimir” /The Stranger and former Jedi, Osha, leave the planet to find latter’s twin sister, Mae, and her former master, Sol. It is revealed that the twins were created by their mother using the Force. Plagueis appears as a frail, withered being with dimly glowing eyes, and apparently being the same species as hisLegendscounterpart.[10][11]
Legends
editIn April 2014, Lucasfilm rebranded most of the licensedStar WarsExpanded Universe material produced since the originating 1977 filmStar WarsasStar Wars Legendsand declared it non-canon to the franchise.[12][13][14]Star Wars Legendsliterature elaborates on Plagueis' life, apprenticeship under theBithSith LordDarth Tenebrous,and mentorship of Palpatine, up until his death at the latter's hands.
Databooks
editAccording to the 2005 bookStar Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide,Plagueis had also discovered the ability to retain one's identity in the Force while becoming one with it, but this way of surviving death did not appeal to him, as he was mainly concerned with the material world.[15]
TheNew Essential Chronology,published the same year, established Plagueis had found a way to prevent death with the Force, after which he desired to reach beyond and create life from nothing by directly manipulating midi-chlorians. Plagueis had possibly initiated his experiments before being murdered by his apprentice Sidious (which would have happened at some point between 52 and 46 years before the events ofA New Hope), and there was evidence to believe Anakin Skywalker's virginal birth was the result. Sidious failed to replicate Plagueis' way to prevent death, and was forced to rely on clone bodies to hold his spirit as shown inDark Empirecomic book series.[16]
The bookVader: The Ultimate Guide,centered around the character ofDarth Vader,confirmed Plagueis had achieved the abilities to prevent death and generate life by manipulating midi-chlorians. Through this method, Plagueis intended to create a living embodiment of the Force. However, his apprentice Sidious grew concerned the resultant being would be meant to be his replacement, so he murdered Plagueis in his sleep. Sidious himself had already started training his own apprentice, Darth Maul, without his own master' knowledge. It was still believed Plagueis' experiment had produced Anakin Skywalker.[17]
The 2007Essential Guide to the Forceofficialized Plagueis' race as a Muun and gave him a canonical image. It also revealed he had taught Sidious during several decades, while Sidious in turn later trained his own apprentice,Darth Maul,although he might have trained others before Maul. The book establishes after the events ofReturn of the Jedi,New Republic historians suspected Sidious had destroyed all available information about Plagueis. The only source about him was a manuscrit by a Sith sympathizer named Ingo Wavlud.[18]
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
editThe character is mentioned at the background ofDark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader,aLegendsnovel byJames Lucenopublished on January 1, 2006. It revealed Sidious' training under his tutelage, which involved being forced to face his fears, having his pleasures denied, and the things he loved taken from him. Plagueis also espoused that envy and hatred, although necessary to master the Dark Side, were only means to abandon morality for the greater goal of controlling the galaxy. Sidious desired to kill Plagueis, but refrained from doing so until acquiring all the possible knowledge from him.[19]
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
edit| Author | James Luceno |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Star Wars Legends |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
Publication date | January 10, 2012 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 496 |
| ISBN | 0-345-51128-X |
| Followed by | Star Wars: Maul: Lockdown |
The character is the focus ofStar Wars: Darth Plagueis,anotherLegendsnovel written by James Luceno and published on January 10, 2012. The novel covers the later life and machinations of Darth Plagueis (born Hego Damask II), over a roughly fifty-year period pre-dating and culminating concurrently with the climax ofThe Phantom Menace.The novel details Plagueis betraying and overthrowing his own master, Darth Tenebrous; his work as head of a powerful banking consortium on theMuun homeworld;his discovery, recruitment, and training of the teenaged Palpatine ofNaboo;and the efforts of Plagueis to undermine theGalactic Republicand ensure the dominance of the dark side of the Force. Even though Plagueis' plans to deceive and undermine the Galactic Republic were stopped by Palpatine, who betrayed and murdered him, Palpatine still succeeded in wiping out the Galactic Republic and driving the Jedi Order into ruins for his own plans.
Daryl Thomen ofNewsdaycalledDarth Plagueis"the bestStar Warspublication to date. "[20]
Reception
editDespite not appearing on screen prior toThe Acolyte,Darth Plagueis has remained a popularStar Warscharacter. The scene in which the character is mentioned inRevenge of the Sithhas become anInternet meme.[21]
Notes
edit- ^Plagueis is first mentioned inRevenge of the Sith(2005) byEmperor Palpatine.
References
edit- ^Rinzler, Jonathan W. (2005).The Making of Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith.New York City: Del Rey.ISBN0-345-43139-1.
- ^Duncan, Paul (2020).The Star Wars Archives: Episodes I–III, 1999–2005.Taschen.ISBN978-3836563444.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-03-02.Retrieved2024-07-21.
- ^"Interview:PlagueisAuthor James Luceno ".TheForce.Net.January 10, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon May 6, 2016.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^"'The Acolyte' Finale Is a Plagueis on Both Their Houses, Leslye Headland Tells Us ".IndieWire.July 17, 2024. Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2024.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^"Leslye Headland Confirms That Major 'Acolyte' Finale Cameo:" Yeah, Baby. Plagueis. "".Collider.July 18, 2024. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2024.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^"The Legend of Darth Plagueis -Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith".StarWars.RetrievedJune 20,2019.
- ^abcCarson, Rae (2020).Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Expanded Edition.Del Rey.ISBN978-0593128404.
- ^Agar, Chris (March 4, 2020)."Star Wars:Every Reveal About Palpatine InThe Rise of SkywalkerNovel ".Screen Rant.Valnet Inc.Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2021.RetrievedMarch 21,2020.
- ^Bacon, Thomas (March 24, 2020)."Star Wars Debunks Rise of Skywalker's Plagueis/Palpatine Fan Theory".Screen Rant.Valnet Inc.Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2021.RetrievedMay 21,2020.
- ^"'The Acolyte' Finale Is a Plagueis on Both Their Houses, Leslye Headland Tells Us ".Indie Wire.17 July 2024.Archivedfrom the original on 19 July 2024.Retrieved18 July2024.
- ^"The Acolyte episode 8 recap and ending explained: What happened to Osha and Mae".Radio Times.Archivedfrom the original on 18 July 2024.Retrieved18 July2024.
- ^McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014)."Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans forStar WarsExpanded Universe ".The Hollywood Reporter.Los Angeles, California:Eldridge Industries.Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
- ^"The LegendaryStar WarsExpanded Universe Turns a New Page ".StarWars.April 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
- ^"Disney and Random House announce relaunch ofStar WarsAdult Fiction line ".StarWars. April 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
- ^Windham, Ryder(January 2005).Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide.Dorling Kindersley.ISBN978-0756614201.
- ^Wallace, Daniel(October 2005).The New Essential Chronology.Del Rey.ISBN978-0345449016.
- ^Peña, Abel G.;Wallace, Daniel(July 2005).Vader: The Ultimate Guide.IDG Entertainment.
- ^Windham, Ryder(November 2007).Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force.Random House.ISBN978-0345493347.
- ^Luceno, James(January 2006).Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader.Del Rey.ISBN978-0099491231.
- ^Thomen, Daryl (January 19, 2012)."LatestStar Warsnovel worth the wait ".Newsday.Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2021.RetrievedJuly 18,2019.
- ^Hathaway, Jay (January 27, 2017)."Star Wars'Chancellor Palpatine Has Conquered the Meme Landscape ".The Daily Dot.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2021.RetrievedJuly 1,2019.
External links
edit- Darth PlagueisonWookieepedia,aStar Warswiki