While it only appeared in one Star Wars movie, Geonosis is one of the most important planets in the franchise, setting both the Clone Wars and the Death Star project in motion. It first appeared in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, home to the insect-like Geonosians who lived in catacombs beneath the surface and operated as a hive. Geonosis later appeared in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series and was fleshed out more through books, comics, and more.
Viewers who have only seen the movies may assume that Geonosis has little relevance to the Star Wars timeline after its live-action appearance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Events and plotlines centering around Geonosis had major ramifications for the galaxy and affected countless characters across the Star Wars movies and TV shows. Analyzing the history of Geonosis puts several aspects of the Star Wars franchise while tracking the development of conflicts and superweapons.
Geonosis Quietly Produced A Droid Army As Kamino Produced Clones
A task perfectly suited to the hive-minded Geonosians
Obi-Wan Kenobi was shocked when he discovered a clone army made for the Republic on Kamino, but he was just as surprised to see the Geonosians producing a secret droid army. Thousands of battle droids were ready to go if war broke out, which finally convinced the Republic Senate to grant Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers so he could approve a Grand Army of the Republic. Unknown to the Senate or the Separatist council, both sides were pawns in Palpatine and Count Dooku’s plan for the Sith to regain control of the galaxy.
The Clone Wars’ First Battle Took Place On Geonosis
“Begun the Clone Wars has.”
The Battle of Geonosis marked the beginning of the Clone Wars when Mace Windu led a contingent of Jedi to rescue Obi-Wan, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala from execution. Despite a valiant fight, the Jedi were overwhelmed by the newly manufactured battle droids until Master Yoda arrived with the clone army and a fleet of Republic ships. The Jedi led the clones in a ground battle while Yoda directed the artillery to take down the Trade Federation starships. Although the Republic was victorious, Dooku had escaped, leaving the galaxy in a state of war.
How The Battle Of Geonosis Changed The Jedi Order
From keepers of the peace to soldiers
The shroud of the dark side fell after the Battle of Geonosis, and many Jedi changed. Most of Mace Windu’s strike force was killed in the Geonosian arena, and despite their rule against non-attachment, the Jedi Order was devastated by the loss of friends and comrades. The Jedi felt compelled to accept their role as generals in the Grand Army of the Republic, despite Master Windu’s previous proclamation that they were not soldiers. The escalating conflict would see several Jedi fall to the dark side, and even the Jedi Council was blinded by the seemingly endless war.
The Second Battle Of Geonosis Explained
The Jedi were sent to destroy another droid factory
The Geonosians later succeeded in retaking their world, forcing the Republic to launch a second invasion to destroy a new droid factory. While the Jedi were victorious, the second Battle of Geonosis was almost as costly to the Republic forces as the first, with some Jedi being severely injured and others coming close to death. Even after the capture of Geonosian Archduke Poggle the Lesser, a clone trooper infected by a Geonosian brain worm infected his crew with the mind-controlling parasites, but this plot was thwarted by Jedi Padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano.
Geonosis’ Role In The Death Star’s Construction
The Geonosians designed the original plans and helped build it
With Poggle the Lesser captured, and the Death Star plans in Republic custody thanks to Count Dooku, the Geonosians were recruited to construct the massive battle station. Director Orson Krennic oversaw the Death Star project and used Geonosian labor to begin rapid construction, but Poggle later betrayed him and returned to the Separatists. Even with this setback, the Death Star continued to be built over the next two decades, with remains left in the rings around Geonosis.
The Fate Of The Geonosians Under The Empire
A tragic end for the entire species
With the Death Star completed, the Empire had no further use for the Geonosians and attempted to exterminate the entire species. A few survivors remain deep beneath the planet’s surface but would not stay safe for long. Darth Vader eventually came to Geonosis and tracked down what he believed to be the last queen, killing her and any chance of the species ever returning. Geonosis suffered greatly for its role in Star Wars history, ironically one of the worlds most affected by the Clone Wars and the Death Star.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
- Cast
- Mark Hamill , James Earl Jones , David Prowse , Carrie Fisher , Harrison Ford , Daisy Ridley , Adam Driver , Ian McDiarmid , Ewan McGregor , Rosario Dawson , Lars Mikkelsen , Rupert Friend , Moses Ingram , Frank Oz , Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
- The Mandalorian , Andor , Obi-Wan Kenobi , The Book of Boba Fett , Ahsoka , The Acolyte , Star Wars: Skeleton Crew , Lando , Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Star Wars Rebels , Star Wars: The Bad Batch , Star Wars: Resistance , Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures , Star Wars: Visions
- Character(s)
- Luke Skywalker , Han Solo , Rey Skywalker , Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious , Obi-Wan Kenobi , Ahsoka Tano , Grand Admiral Thrawn , Grand Inquisitor , Reva (The Third Sister) , The Fifth Brother , The Seventh Sister , The Eighth Brother , Yoda , Din Djarin , Grogu , Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader , Leia Organa , Ben Solo/Kylo Ren