Rex became a favorite among fans, consistently placing in fan polls and Star Wars character ranking lists.īaker (pictured) and Filoni approached Rex as the central character type to which the clones around him aspired.
Rex was developed as the central personality to which the troopers around him aspired and featured in story arcs exploring his character development. However, Lucas felt this created too much alliteration with the existing principal cast, and a new character was created instead. Initial development for The Clone Wars film chose Alpha-17, featured in Star Wars: Republic, to be the primary clone trooper character. Rex is characterized as believing it is his duty to not only carry out orders but also to protect the men under his command however, his belief in the Republic wavers over the course of the series. He is described as a reliable and exemplary soldier, considered by Anakin to be his "first-in-command".
Rex was also distinguished by his use of twin blaster pistols in combat. He is physically distinguished from other clone troopers by his close-shaved blond hair, and he is identified by blue markings on his armor and by stylized hawk eyes painted on his helmet. Like all clone troopers in The Clone Wars and Rebels, Rex is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
Since his introduction in The Clone Wars, he has also appeared in the 2014 Star Wars Rebels television series and various spin-off media. Rex is a clone trooper of the Grand Army of the Republic, cloned from Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, and serves the Galactic Republic under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano. He was introduced as a main character in the animated The Clone Wars 2008 film and the related television series of the same name.