When we first met General Grievous It’s 20 years ago this month with Genndy Tartakovsky Clone Wars Microseries, there was one to him immediate, frightening presence. But then Revenge of the Sithand with that the Clone Wars 3DCG series, limited what could be done with the character. Grievous seemed like a Saturday morning cartoon villain – twirling lightsabers instead of mustaches. Tales of the Empire retains the whirling lightsabers, but perhaps also brings back a bit of the original threat.
Today Lucasfilm released the first clip from the upcoming anthology series Tales of the Empire– his spiritual successor Tales of the Jedithis time with a focus on Tales of the dark side, including the life of Morgan Elsbeth before she entered Thrawn’s service, and whatever happened to Barriss Offee after she radicalized against the Jedi’s role in the Clone War. The clip leans into the Morgan side of things stories‘ own riff on a specific moment from the 3D Clone Wars Series – the fourth season episode “Massacre”, in which Grievous and an army of battle droids launch a devastating attack on Dathomir to wipe him out as part of a revenge plot by Count Dooku Asajj Ventress and their night nurse comrades.
The clip is short but very funny – if war of stars is to insist on returning to stories of Clone Wars As is often the case these days, it’s at least nice to be able to do this in animation, given the lessons and experiences you’ve had since the end. It’s great to see this moment 12 years ago for the first time with modern images and style! But it’s also because here, with Grievous given free rein to act as a catalyst for Morgan’s traumatic past, he’s unleashed as a pure, sinister id.
Face off against Obi-Wan or other Jedi Clone Wars– of course never Anakin, because the two were only really allowed to meet Revenge of the Sith—Grievous was mostly doomed to be a bit of a jobber. Sure he had his moments here and there (the episode “Lair of Grievous” at the start of the first season is always worth a mention), but in Clone Wars Grievous has typically been a far cry from the charismatic, fearsome agent of death he was when he first entered the animated canon in the 2D series. Maybe just for a short time, but at least Tales of the Empire It looks like it will bring back at least a little of that advantage.
Tales of the Empire begins streaming on Disney+ on May 4th.
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