Padmé Amidala

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Padmé Amidala
Star Wars character
Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala in Revenge of the Sith (2005)
First appearanceThe Phantom Menace
Created byGeorge Lucas
Portrayed byNatalie Portman
Voiced by
In-universe information
Full namePadmé Naberrie
SpeciesHuman
GenderFemale
Occupation
  • Queen of Naboo
  • Senator of Naboo
Affiliation
Family
SpouseAnakin Skywalker
Children
Relatives
HomeworldNaboo

Padmé Amidala (née Naberrie) is a character in the Star Wars franchise. She first appears in The Phantom Menace (1999) as the teenage queen of the fictional planet Naboo. After her reign, she becomes a member of the Galactic Senate. She secretly marries Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, and later dies while giving birth to the twins Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Anakin's fear of losing Padmé drives him toward the dark side of the Force, which eventually results in his transformation into Darth Vader. Natalie Portman portrays Padmé in all three films of the prequel trilogy. Catherine Taber, Grey DeLisle and Montana Norberg provide the character's voice in animated productions and video games.

Profile[edit]

Padmé Naberrie was elected queen of the planet Naboo at the age of fourteen. She adopted the surname Amidala as her formal name of state. The young monarch faced a challenge when, in the midst of a taxation dispute, the Trade Federation halted the shipment of goods to her planet. Two Jedi Knights—Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi—attempted to resolve the situation with diplomacy. When members of the Federation tried to kill them, the Jedi fled and informed Padmé of the betrayal. As the Federation deployed troops to Naboo, the trio escaped the planet and journeyed to Coruscant, the location of the Galactic Senate. To protect herself, Padmé exchanged identities with one of her royal handmaidens. Before reaching Coruscant, the group stopped on Tatooine. While searching for parts to repair their starship, they encountered Anakin Skywalker, a nine-year-old slave boy. After helping him secure his freedom, they took Anakin with them.[1][2][3]

When they reached the Senate, Padmé requested aid for her embattled planet, but her efforts were stymied by politics and the Trade Federation. Naboo's representative in the chamber, Senator Palpatine, urged Padmé to push for a vote of no confidence in Supreme Chancellor Valorum. After Valorum was ousted, Palpatine was chosen as the new Supreme Chancellor. Padmé returned home to confront the army of battle droids occupying Naboo. She formed an alliance with the Gungans and successfully drove out the invaders.[1][2][3]

When Padmé's term as queen ended, she became a member of the Galactic Senate. With stirrings of a Separatist movement across the galaxy, Palpatine sought to increase his power to put down the insurgents. A Senate vote was scheduled on the Military Creation Act, which would form a Grand Army of the Republic. Before Padmé could vote on the legislation, Separatists attempted to assassinate her. She was placed under Jedi protection, which reunited her with Anakin, now a grown man and a Jedi apprentice. Despite a Jedi Order prohibition on romantic relationships, feelings soon grew between Anakin and Padmé. When Anakin had a vision of his mother in danger, Padmé accompanied him to Tatooine in a failed attempt to rescue her from a band of Tusken Raiders. Anakin returned with his mother's body and confessed to Padmé that he slaughtered the entire Tusken tribe. Padmé was troubled by what Anakin had done, but nevertheless comforted him.[1][4]

Padmé and Anakin left for Geonosis, where Separatist activity had been discovered. They were captured and condemned to death by the Separatist leader and Sith Lord Count Dooku. Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda arrived with an army of clone troopers and rescued them, which marked the beginning of the Clone Wars. Later, Padmé and Anakin were married in a secret ceremony on Naboo. When Padmé became pregnant with Anakin’s child, he started having visions of her death. Palpatine suggested to Anakin that the dark side of the Force could save Padmé, which led to Anakin becoming Palpatine's Sith apprentice, Darth Vader. Anakin began murdering Jedi, and Palpatine proclaimed himself Emperor.[1][5]

Padmé confronted Anakin about his violent acts and his desire to rule the galaxy. Enraged, he strangled her into unconsciousness. After defeating Anakin in a duel, Obi-Wan rescued Padmé and supported her as she gave birth to twins. The infants—Luke and Leia—were spirited away by Obi-Wan, so Anakin could not find them. Padmé died in childbirth.[1][5]

Portrayal[edit]

Padmé was introduced in The Phantom Menace, the first film of the prequel trilogy. During the film's development, concept artists were given character outlines by Lucasfilm. The fourteen-year-old Padmé was described as similar to Princess Ozma from the Land of Oz series of novels.[6][7] George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars franchise and the director of The Phantom Menace, wanted to cast a performer who exhibited strength comparable to Princess Leia, a central character in the original trilogy and the daughter of Padmé.[8][9][10] The filmmakers auditioned over two hundred actresses for the role before selecting Natalie Portman, who was sixteen at the time.[11][12] One of the concept artists, Iain McCaig, said Portman had an "aura of vulnerability and strength" akin to Ozma.[7] Portman was enthusiastic about the role, and thought it would be empowering for young female viewers to witness the intelligence and leadership abilities of the teenage monarch.[13]

In addition to the prequel trilogy, Padmé appears in the animated film The Clone Wars and the animated television series of the same name. Catherine Taber provides the character's voice for both productions. Taber also voices Padmé in the web series Forces of Destiny and in various video games.[14] Grey DeLisle voices the character in video games and in the micro-series Clone Wars, and Montana Norberg provides Padmé's voice in the miniseries Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales.[15][16]

Costumes[edit]

Lucas has explained that galactic society in the prequel trilogy is more sophisticated than in the original trilogy. To illustrate this difference, the costumes in the prequels are more elaborate than those in the earlier films. Trisha Biggar, the costume designer for The Phantom Menace, said initially there were only three costumes planned for Padmé. However, Lucas felt that a noble of her stature would be constantly changing her wardrobe depending on the occasion. He decided that every time the queen appeared in the film, she would be wearing a different costume. McCaig cited Mongolian and Tibetan fashions as influences for the wardrobe.[17] For Attack of the Clones, Lucas wanted Padmé's garb to reflect the romantic storyline. He requested that her costumes be "skimpy" and "sultry".[18][19] The queen's costumes were displayed at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles in 2005, and at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 2018.[20] They have also been featured in the Japanese magazine High Fashion and in Vogue.[citation needed]

Appearances in novels[edit]

Queen's Shadow, a novel by E. K. Johnston released on March 5, 2018, features Padmé as the main character, as well as several of her handmaidens—especially Sabé.[21] Set four years after the events of The Phantom Menace, it reveals that as she ended her reign as queen and became a senator, Padmé helped liberate a number of slaves on Tatooine, but was unsuccessful in freeing Shmi. Padmé meets Clovis in a Senate orientation group, Captain Typho takes over for his uncle Captain Panaka as Padmé's bodyguard, and Amidala's relationship with Bail Organa and Palpatine is explored. In an epilogue set after Revenge of the Sith, Sabé determines to investigate Padmé's death. A prequel to the novel, titled Queen's Peril, was scheduled to be released on May 5, 2020,[22] but was later delayed to June 2. It is set soon before and during The Phantom Menace.[23] A third novel to complete the "Queen's Trilogy", Queen's Hope, published on April 5, 2022 taking place after her secret marriage to Anakin. The final novel focuses on a secret mission that Padmé takes on early in the Clone Wars and parallels with Sabé's mission to impersonate her in the Senate.

Star Wars Legends[edit]

In April 2014, most of the licensed Star Wars novels and comics produced since 1977 were rebranded by Lucasfilm as Star Wars Legends and declared non-canon to the franchise.[24][25][26]

Clone Wars (2003)[edit]

Padmé Amidala appears in eight chapters of the Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series that aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2005. She is secluded on Coruscant and maintains a correspondence with Anakin while he is fighting in the Clone Wars. In one chapter, Padmé travels with Yoda (voiced by Tom Kane) aboard her ship when he senses a disturbance in the Force coming from the ice planet Ilum. Despite Captain Typho's (voiced by James C. Mathis) protest, she accompanies Yoda and helps rescue Jedi Master Luminara Unduli (voiced by Cree Summer) and Padawan Barriss Offee (voiced by Tatyana Yassukovich). In another chapter, she is thrilled by Anakin's graduation to Jedi Knight, and stores his Padawan braid with the necklace he gave her in The Phantom Menace.[27] In the final chapter, Padmé is briefly seen during General Grievous' assault on Coruscant.

Novels and comics[edit]

Padmé's background prior to her appearance in the prequel films is revealed in Star Wars novels and comics. In Terry Moore's comic "A Summer's Dream" printed in Star Wars Tales 5 (2000) and set a year before the events of The Phantom Menace, Padmé is the Princess of Theed, Naboo's capital city. A young man, Ian Lago, falls in love with Padmé, but she places her duty to the people over her personal happiness and rejects him. Lago is the son of an advisor to King Veruna, the reigning monarch of Naboo.[28][29]

In the novel, Cloak of Deception (2001) by James Luceno, King Veruna is forced to abdicate the throne following accusations of corruption. Padmé is elected Queen of Naboo and contacts Palpatine to inform him that Veruna has been mysteriously killed. She and Palpatine discuss the events that lead to the Trade Federation blockade of Naboo. She admits to him, "Naboo can scarcely afford to become embroiled in a dispute that pits the Republic against the Trade Federation."[30]

Star Wars literature focuses on Padmé's career as ruling monarch of Naboo. The young-adult novel Star Wars Episode I Journal: Amidala (1999) by Jude Watson focuses on Padmé Amidala's early career and narrow escape from the Trade Federation.[31] The Queen's Amulet (1999) by Julianne Balmain narrates the close friendship between Padmé and her handmaiden Sabé immediately before the events of The Phantom Menace.[32] Erik Tiemens's short comic "The Artist of Naboo" follows a young, unnamed artist on Naboo who becomes captivated by Padmé's beauty, features her in a series of paintings and later risks his life to save her.[33]

Padmé's role in the Delegation of 2000—the senatorial resistance movement to Palpatine's growing absolutism—is discussed in James Luceno's Labyrinth of Evil (2005). The Delegation of 2000 is primarily concerned with Palpatine's calls for public surveillance and restrictions on freedom of movement and action. Still, Padmé is confident Palpatine will relinquish his power when the crisis is over: "He's not stubborn," she tells Bail Organa. "You just don't know him as I do. He'll take our concerns to heart."[34]

Padmé appears in novels and comics set after the events of the original trilogy as holograms and flashbacks. In Troy Denning's The Joiner King (2005), the first book in the Dark Nest trilogy, set 35 years after the events of A New Hope, Luke Skywalker discovers a hologram recorded by R2-D2 of Anakin Skywalker informing Padmé of his vision of her death in childbirth. This is the first time Luke sees his mother.[35] Another hologram discovered in R2-D2 chronicles a conversation between Padmé and Obi-Wan. In this hologram, Luke and Leia hear their mother's name for the first time.[36] In the final novel of the trilogy, The Swarm War, Luke and Leia see their mother's death and their own births.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Padmé Amidala". StarWars.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Hidalgo & Sansweet 2008, p. 27.
  3. ^ a b Lucas, George (1999). Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (Film).
  4. ^ Lucas, George (2002). Star Wars: Episode II—The Clone Wars (Film).
  5. ^ a b Lucas, George (2005). Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith (Film).
  6. ^ "Natalie Portman: Forbidden Love: Wise Beyond Her Years". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2006.
  7. ^ a b Wainerdi, Brandon (May 2022). "The Soul Sketchbook of Iain McCaig". Star Wars Insider. No. 210. p. 25.
  8. ^ "Return of the galaxy's new beauty: New look, love interest for Portman's role in 'Star Wars'". CNN. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Breznican, Anthony (April 13, 2017). "'Star Wars' Highlights Female Heroes with New 'Forces of Destiny' Stories — First Look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Coggan, Devan (May 27, 2022). "The 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' premiere reintroduces some huge familiar faces". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Bowen, Jonathan L. (2005). Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse. p. 3. ISBN 0-595-34732-0.
  12. ^ Bouzereau & Duncan 1999, p. 46.
  13. ^ "Star Wars Episode I Production Notes: The Actors and Characters – Part I". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2004. Retrieved August 5, 2006.
  14. ^ "Catherine Taber (visual voices guide)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  15. ^ "Grey DeLisle (visual voices guide)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  16. ^ "Montana Norberg (visual voices guide)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Costume Featurette (1999). Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Special Features DVD. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
  18. ^ George Lucas (2002). Love Featurette, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Special Features (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  19. ^ Trisha Biggar (2002). Love Featurette, Attack of the Clones (DVD). Los Angeles, California: 20th Century Fox.
  20. ^ "Star Wars: Dressing a Galaxy Opens Monday". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2006.
  21. ^ Liptak, Andrew (July 20, 2018). "The next Star Wars novels will flesh out the prequel era". The Verge. New York City: Vox Media. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  22. ^ Brooks, Dan (November 27, 2019). "Padmé Strikes Back in E.K. Johnston's Queen's Peril – Exclusive". StarWars.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "Teen Padmé transforms into the Monarch of Naboo in E.K. Johnston's new Star Wars novel, Queen's Peril". May 28, 2020.
  24. ^ "Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  25. ^ McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014). "Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for Star Wars Expanded Universe". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  26. ^ "The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  27. ^ Tartakovsky, Genndy et al. (2005). Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume Two (DVD audio commentary). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 15:00.
  28. ^ Moore, Terry (w). "A Summer's Dream" Star Wars Tales, no. 5 (September 2000). Milwaukie, Oregon: Dark Horse Comics.. ISBN 1-59307-286-4
  29. ^ Padmé Amidala, Expanded Universe, at the Star Wars Databank; last accessed August 5, 2006.
  30. ^ Luceno, page 323
  31. ^ Watson, Jude (1999). Star Wars Episode I Journal: Amidala. New York City: Scholastic Books. ISBN 0-590-52101-2.
  32. ^ Balmain, Julianne (1999). The Queen's Amulet. New York City: Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-2462-4.
  33. ^ Erik Tiemens (w). "The Artist of Naboo" Star Wars: Visionaries (March 2005). Milwaukie, Oregon: Dark Horse Comics.. ISBN 1-59307-311-9
  34. ^ Luceno, James (2005). Labyrinth of Evil. New York City: Del Rey Books. p. 57. ISBN 0-345-47573-9.
  35. ^ Denning, Troy (2005). The Joiner King. New York City: Del Rey Books. pp. 210–11. ISBN 0-345-46304-8.
  36. ^ Denning, page 345

Works cited[edit]

  • Bouzereau, Laurent; Duncan, Jody (1999). Star Wars: The Making of Episode I—The Phantom Menace. New York: Del Rey. ISBN 0345431111.
  • Hidalgo, Pablo; Sansweet, Stephen (2008). The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia. Vol. I (First ed.). New York: Del Rey. ISBN 9780345477637.

Further reading[edit]

  • Biggar, Trisha. Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2005. ISBN 0-8109-6567-4.
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