Star Wars: 10 Best Characters In Revenge Of The Sith

While The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones divided opinion upon their releases in 1999 and 2002 respectively, Revenge of the Sith won many fans round with its darker tone and epic scale. It’s in this movie that Anakin Skywalker finally completes his transformation into Darth Vader, and many characters also meet their end by the time the credits roll.

As with every movie, some individuals are better than others. So it’s now time to rank them accordingly to see who comes out on top.

10 C-3PO

C-3PO can definitely be a mixed bag, with some finding him funny and others outright irritating (like Han Solo). But the third entry of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy solves one of the biggest plotholes prior by explaining why he doesn’t tell Luke Skywalker the truth about his father when they meet during the original three films.

He’s also there throughout many key events, such as when Obi-Wan Kenobi defeats Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar and when Padmé Amidala heartbreakingly dies in the aftermath.

9 Nute Gunray

There are always going to be some characters Star Wars fans don’t unanimously agree on. And Nute Gunray is one of them. Nute didn’t prove to be a hit when he was first introduced in The Phantom Menace, and his screen time was cut as the trilogy went on, not helping matters.

Therefore, it was satisfying to see Gunray meet his end when Anakin cuts him down on the orders of his new master, Palpatine. He’d previously been of the belief he’d play a big part in a brave new world and this twist pays off. Sometimes, the best characters aren’t necessarily the most beloved ones, but they do make the story interesting.

8 Count Dooku

Another Star Wars villain to make the list is Christopher Lee’s Count Dooku. He’d been a dangerous antagonist during Attack of the Clones, defeating both Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in lightsaber combat while also managing to escape from Yoda. He appears early in Revenge of the Sith – yet doesn’t last long.

Dooku duels with the same endearing arrogance as in the previous title but loses to Anakin, who beheads him with Palpatine egging him on. It’s a key moment for young Skywalker, pushing him closer and closer to the dark side. After all, it’s not the Jedi way…

7 Mace Windu

Samuel L. Jackson’s character was another positive part of the previous movie, especially when he kills Bounty Hunter Jango Fett during the action-packed battle of Geonosis. And he’s forced into fighting in ROTS as well, attempting to kill Palpatine once the truth about the Sith Lord’s true identity comes to light.

Windu is dismissive of Anakin throughout, consequently contributing to the change the young Jedi undergoes. And his defeat is no surprise, with Palpatine sending him flying through the window of his office and into the Coruscant skyline. Many fans have pined for the character to return but, at the current time of writing, that’s yet to happen.

6 General Grievous

The Star Wars prequel trilogy hadn’t been short on evil figures prior to the release of Revenge of the Sith. Palpatine was present, his apprentices Count Dooku and Darth Maul were both introduced, and there were small-time antagonists such as Jango Fett, Nute Gunray, and Watto as well.

But that didn’t stop Lucas from bringing in General Grievous. A cyborg with a cough, and capable of wielding four lightsabers at the same time—he instantly became popular. Grievous’s death at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi marks the end of the Clone Wars and, inadvertently, the rise of the Empire.

5 Bail Organa

Bail Organa takes a backseat role during the first two prequels. Yet things change during Revenge of the Sith, with Jimmy Smitts’ character helping the remnants of the Republic once Palpatine orchestrates the downfall of the Jedi Order. Despite not being a skilled fighter on the battlefield he throws himself into the thick of it, aiding Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda as they look to mount a resistance.

It was certainly a welcome change, explaining where Leia gets her courageous spirit from. He takes Padmé’s daughter at the end of the film, while Luke is sent to live with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on the planet of Tatooine instead to ensure they’re trickier to find.

4 Yoda

Narrowly missing out on a medal is Yoda. Though the Empire is successful in eliminating most of the Jedi at the end of the war, Frank Oz’s character is difficult to beat. He doesn’t take the deaths of his friends well and, thanks to some help from Chewbacca and Obi-Wan Kenobi, he battles Palpatine—in one of the movie’s best scenes.

He doesn’t get the better of his opponent, however, and is forced to flee. This also explains why he’s later found hiding out on Dagobah by Luke Skywalker and also why he’s on the Empire’s hit list. Going after their leader, after all, is always bound to attract attention.

3 Palpatine

Speaking of Palpatine, it’s time to talk about the Sith Lord himself. Sure, seeing him fire bolts of force lightning during Return of the Jedi definitely showcases his power and manipulating the end of the Jedi from the shadows is an example of his villainy, too. But watching him wield a lightsaber was new territory and automatically enhanced the Sith Lord as a result.

His menacing smile when he breaks the news to Anakin about Padme’s death is another moment that stands out. There’s a reason why he’s considered one of Hollywood’s best-ever villains and his antics in the final movie of the trilogy is certainly one of them.

2 Obi-Wan Kenobi

Taking the silver medal when it comes to the best characters in Revenge of the Sith is Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. He’s central to much that happens throughout the course of the movie, whether that be the duel with Count Dooku and rescue of Palpatine during the early moments or the final showdown with the transformed Anakin Skywalker right at the ends, which ends in disaster.

It’ll be fascinating to see how Kenobi changes when his solo TV series comes out next year. The period where the Empire ruled the galaxy certainly wasn’t easy for its inhabitants, as Solo and Rogue One both showed. And operating with a target on his back will only up the stakes for Obi-Wan even further.

1 Anakin Skywalker

Hayden Christensen may have faced criticism for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker during Attack of the Clones but, in the sequel, it’s a different story entirely. He absolutely nails the role of a conflicted Jedi, beginning the movie loved up with Padmé and ending it encased in the dark, heavy armor of Darth Vader.

Christensen is another who will be back for Kenobi and, most likely, in Vader’s iconic attire as well. Anakin is full of rage by the end of Episode III and he’ll definitely be out for revenge, especially due to the fact he was unable to save Padmé Amidala from dying in childbirth.