Was General Grievous Always Supposed to Be a Coward?

General Grievous, a prominent character in the Star Wars universe, often evokes a mix of fascination and controversy due to his complex and evolving characterization. In the original Legends continuity, Grievous was portrayed as a tactical genius and an almost invincible warrior. However, in newer works such as the animated series The Clone Wars, he is depicted as a coward who frequently runs away when things do not go his way. This transformation in his character raises the question: was he always meant to be a coward?

Background and Motivation

General Grievous was originally a warlord from the planet Kalee, who was later transformed into a cybernetic being. His fear of Jedi and desire for revenge against them stems from personal losses and his hatred for the Jedi Order. The events at the Battle of Kiyuens and his subsequent transformation into a cyborg cemented his resentment towards the Jedi.

Tactical Approach

In earlier continuities and novels such as The Labyrinth of Evil, Grievous is not portrayed as a coward but rather as a brilliant tactician and formidable battlefield commander. In The Labyrinth of Evil, he is able to stalemate Mace Windu and even hard-press Darth Tyranus in combat. He also led successful attacks on the Deep Core and forced the planet Duro to submit to the Confederacy of Independent Systems. These actions demonstrated his skill and determination in battle.

Character Design and Development

The character design of General Grievous in the newer works, particularly in the animated TV series The Clone Wars, underwent a significant transformation. Created by Genny Tartakovsky, the 2003 2D series depicted Grievous as a powerful and almost invincible machine that terrorized and overwhelmed a group of Jedi Masters. This version of Grievous was by many considered to be a more worthy adversary, yet his portrayal was not consistent with the vision of George Lucas and Dave Filoni.

Cinematic and Narrative Choices

Lucas and Filoni have explicitly stated in interviews that their vision for Grievous was to portray him as a coward. In their version, Grievous is a power-hungry psychopath who hat ESAOS the Jedi out of envy. He is described as someone who killed wounded clones and reveled in the chance to kill thousands of recovering clones on a medical station, showcasing a level of cruelty and negligence. The character is portrayed as not as clever as he appears, often boasting after victory and fleeing when the tide turns.

While the Jedi do engage in battles with Grievous, a significant amount of time is spent on locating and chasing after him. The narrative often focuses more on the characters' efforts to find and catch Grievous when he hides, rather than him being a constant threat. This emphasis on Grievous's cowardice serves the storyline by contrasting his behavior with the bravery of Jedi characters like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, thereby highlighting the resilience and duty of the Jedi Order.

In conclusion, while General Grievous was not always explicitly labeled a coward in the original Legends continuity, his characterization evolved to emphasize these traits, particularly to serve the story and the themes of the conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. This transformation in his character can be attributed to the creative choices made for the animated series The Clone Wars and the storytelling needs of the wider Star Wars universe.