Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 5.
Summary
- Temuera Morrison makes his long-awaited live-action debut as Captain Rex in Ahsoka episode 5, marking a significant moment for Star Wars fans.
- Captain Rex has a rich history in the Star Wars universe, with major roles in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, making his inclusion essential in Ahsoka.
- With Rex’s age in mind, there is potential for him to appear again outside of flashbacks in Ahsoka, especially considering his history and friendship with Ahsoka Tano.
Temuera Morrison cameos as the fan-favorite Star Wars character Captain Rex in Ahsoka episode 5, giving the Clone Wars-era hero his long-awaited live-action debut. Morrison made his Star Wars debut in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, playing the bounty hunter Jango Fett and voicing many of Fett’s clone troopers (who were visually depicted with either computer-generated imagery or played in non-speaking roles by Bodie Taylor). Morrison has voiced Jango Fett, Boba Fett, and numerous clone troopers throughout canon and Legends spinoff material, but returned to the realm of live-action in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, setting the stage for him to portray Captain Rex in Ahsoka.
Captain Rex debuted in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and would go on to have major (and often starring or co-starring) roles in the TV series of the same name. The Clone Wars went to great lengths to humanize the clone troopers (as various Legends-era materials had before it), with Rex being the show’s most prominent clone, and thus undergoing significant character development across its seven seasons. Rex’s story continued well after The Clone Wars, with Star Wars Rebels offering the clone trooper a reoccurring supporting role starting in season 2 and the ongoing Star Wars: The Bad Batch giving him frequent guest appearances.
Temuera Morrison Returns As Captain Rex In Ahsoka
Morrison, who brought Boba Fett back to live-action Star Wars properties, has voiced interest in depicting Captain Rex in the past, but he has now finally played the fan-favorite clone in the Ahsoka episode “Part Five: Shadow Warrior.” The episode sees Ahsoka revisit specific experiences during the Clone Wars, including the Battle of Ryloth, as depicted in The Clone Wars season 1 and the 2009 video game Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes. In a brief, non-speaking role, Captain Rex is visible conversing with Anakin Skywalker and members of the Twi’lek Resistance, before rushing back into combat.
Ahsoka then moves forward to the final battle of the Clone Wars she took part in: the Siege of Mandalore. There, she briefly interacts with Rex after cutting down several of Darth Maul’s Mandalorian Supercommandos. Morrison plays Rex in these sequences, which include the live-action debut of Phase 1 clone trooper armor and Rex’s own unique set that he wore at the end of the Clone Wars (which combines elements of the Phase 1 and 2 clone trooper armors). Rex’s inclusion was not simply fan service, however;, it was essential, considering both his prominence in The Clone Wars and his history with both Ahsoka and Anakin.
Captain Rex’s History With Ahsoka Explained
Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano were both co-leads in The Clone Wars’ ensemble cast, so it is no surprise that the two have quite a bit of shared history. The duo met during the Battle of Christophsis and, despite a somewhat rocky start, became friends by the following battle on Teth. Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex all led the renowned 501st Legion together, and Rex, notably, did not lose faith in Ahsoka Tano’s integrity when she was falsely accused of bombing the Jedi Temple.
Rex and Ahsoka would fight together during the Siege of Mandalore, though Rex briefly became brainwashed to follow Order 66 by his inhibitor chip implant. Ahsoka soon removed the device, restoring Rex’s free will. Rex and Ahsoka kept a low profile for much of the Imperial era, but the two eventually reunited and became founding members of the Rebel Alliance. Ahsoka’s presumed death on Malachor broke Rex’s heart, and while Rex continued to fight for the Rebellion throughout the Galactic Civil War, it is unknown if he ever learned that Tano survived. Rex’s last known mission for the rebels was the ground battle on Endor.
Clone troopers age at twice the rate of ordinary humans, meaning that Rex is likely at the biological age of 72 during the events of Ahsoka. With this in mind, Rex could appear again, this time outside of a Clone Wars-era flashback. Morrison’s live-action cameo as Captain Rex in Ahsoka was a welcome surprise for longtime Star Wars viewers, and considering his history and friendship with Ahsoka Tano (and the heartbreaking Rebels season 2 finale), Morrison may again return as the veteran clone.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
