Yoda
Yoda | |
---|---|
Star Wars character | |
First appearance | The Empire Strikes Back |
Created by | George Lucas |
Voiced by |
|
Performed by | Unknown |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | |
Affiliation | Jedi Order [3] |
Apprentices | Count Dooku Luke Skywalker Numerous others |
Yoda (/ˈjoʊdə/) is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, first appearing in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. He is a small, green humanoid alien who is powerful with The Force and is a leading member of the Jedi Order until its near annihilation. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda was voiced and puppeteered by Frank Oz, who reprised the role in Return of the Jedi, the prequel trilogy, and the sequel trilogy. Outside of the films, the character was mainly voiced by Tom Kane, starting with the 2003 Clone Wars animated television series until his retirement from voice acting in 2021.
In his first appearance in the
Profile
Yoda was a Jedi Master who spent centuries training many Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. Standing 0.66 meters (2.2 ft) tall, Yoda also played an important role in the Clone Wars.[4] His species and homeworld have never been named in any official Star Wars media.[5]
Creation
The Star Wars franchise was created by George Lucas, who wrote and directed the original Star Wars film (1977). He created the character Obi-Wan Kenobi as a mentor for the protagonist Luke Skywalker, and originally planned for the Jedi Master to continue training Luke in the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back (1980). However, Lucas ultimately decided to kill off Obi-Wan in the first film. Lucas then introduced a new mentor character, who was originally a diminutive frog-like creature called "Minch Yoda".[6][7] One of Lucas's early notes reads: "Yoda tells a fairy tale to Luke ... We are not material. We are luminous beings who are tied together by the Force."[8] The film's visual effects art director, Joe Johnston, sketched hundreds of different versions of Yoda. The design that Lucas finally settled on was described by Johnson as a combination of a leprechaun, a troll and a gnome.[9][l]
Yoda was originally portrayed by a puppet created by Stuart Freeborn, the makeup artist for The Empire Strikes Back. Freeborn based Yoda's face on his own facial features and those of Albert Einstein, hoping the latter inspiration would make the character appear intelligent.[12][13] Lucas felt Yoda needed a unique way of speaking that was more dramatic than an accent.[14]
Portrayal
Lucas approached
For The Phantom Menace, Yoda was redesigned to look younger. He was created using
Yoda was recreated in CGI for the 2011
Performance
To perform Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back, Frank Oz inserted his right hand into the puppet's head, using said hand to control Yoda's mouth, while his left hand controlled Yoda's left hand. A second puppeteer, Kathryn Mullen, assisted Oz on the Dagobah set, operating Yoda's right hand. Wendy Midener, a puppet builder who had worked with Oz and Mullen on The Muppet Show, and later The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, was originally supposed to control Yoda's eyes, but when something on the set caused an allergic reaction for Midener, she was demoted to controlling Yoda's ears, with then-newcomer David Barclay operating the eyes instead (Barclay also substituted for Oz as lead Yoda puppeteer for production shoots when Oz was unavailable). For wide shots of Yoda moving around, actor and stunt performer Deep Roy wore a life-sized Yoda costume.[20][21][22][23]
Appearances
Original trilogy
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Yoda makes his first film appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. Luke Skywalker arrives on
Yoda does not initially identify himself to Luke and instead tests his patience by presenting himself as a comical backwater individual, deliberately provoking both Luke and
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Yoda makes a brief appearance in Return of the Jedi, set a year after The Empire Strikes Back. Now sick and frail, Yoda informs Luke that he has completed his training but will not be a Jedi until he confronts Darth Vader; he also confirms that Vader is Luke's father, something Vader had told Luke in the previous film. Yoda then peacefully dies at the age of 900, his body disappearing as he becomes "one with the Force". He leaves Luke with the knowledge that "there is another Skywalker." Moments later, Obi-Wan's spirit helps Luke come to the realization that the "other" of whom Yoda spoke is his twin sister, Princess Leia.
In the film's final scene, after the Empire has been defeated, Luke sees Yoda's spirit looking upon him with pride alongside Obi-Wan and the redeemed Anakin Skywalker, Vader's former Jedi self.[24]
Prequel trilogy
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Yoda returns as a younger version of himself in the prequel trilogy beginning with The Phantom Menace. The film marked the final time Oz would portray the character as a puppet until the release of The Last Jedi (2017).
When Qui-Gon is mortally wounded in a duel with Sith Lord Darth Maul, his dying request to his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is that Anakin be trained as a Jedi. Obi-Wan, determined to fulfill his promise to his master, tells Yoda that he will train the boy, even without the council's approval. Yoda makes Obi-Wan a Jedi Knight and reluctantly gives his blessing to Anakin's training.[26]
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Yoda makes his first CGI appearance in Attack of the Clones, set a decade after The Phantom Menace. Yoda, now in direct control of the Order's policy as Master of the High Council in addition to his traditional position as Grandmaster, is one of the many Jedi who are concerned about the emergence of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a
At the climax of the film, Yoda arrives in time to save Obi-Wan and Anakin from the Separatists and defeats his former apprentice, Count Dooku, the Separatists’ leader and a Sith Lord, in a lightsaber duel.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
In Revenge of the Sith, Yoda leads the Jedi Council in pursuing the mysterious Sith Lord
Anakin seeks Yoda's counsel about his prophetic visions that someone close to him will die. Yoda, unaware that the person of whom Anakin speaks is Padmé, or that she is Anakin's wife and pregnant with his child, tells him to "train yourself to let go of everything that you fear to lose." Unsatisfied, Anakin turns to Palpatine, who then reveals himself as Darth Sidious. Sidious manipulates the young Jedi into becoming his Sith apprentice, Darth Vader, with the promise that the
Sidious later transforms the Republic into the tyrannical
Subsequently, Yoda battles Sidious in a lightsaber duel that damages the Senate Rotunda. In the end, neither is able to overcome the other and Yoda is forced to retreat. He goes into exile on Dagobah so that he may hide from the Empire and wait for another opportunity to destroy the Sith. At the end of the film, it is revealed that Yoda has been in contact with Qui-Gon's spirit, learning the secret of immortality from him and passing it on to Obi-Wan.
Yoda is also instrumental in deciding the fate of
Sequel trilogy
The Force Awakens (2015)
In The Force Awakens, set 30 years after Yoda's death in Return of the Jedi, Yoda's voice is heard by the young scavenger Rey in a Force vision after she discovers Luke Skywalker's lightsaber under a castle owned by Maz Kanata.[28]
The Last Jedi (2017)
In The Last Jedi, Yoda appears to Luke as a Force spirit as he debates whether to burn down the tree storing the Sacred Texts of the Jedi.[29] As Luke makes his way to the tree, Yoda appears behind him and reminds him that a Jedi must always be sure of his path. When Luke decides to burn down the tree, Yoda summons a lightning bolt and sets it ablaze. When confronting Yoda as to why he did it, Yoda assures Luke that the books contained no knowledge that Rey didn't already possess. He stressed that true Jedi knowledge was not found in books but within Jedi themselves—and it is their responsibility to pass that knowledge on, reminding him, "The greatest teacher, failure is." As Luke takes in the message, he shares a quiet moment with his former master, who informs him that the burden of all masters is being surpassed by their students.
Unlike in the prequels, where fight scenes necessitated the character be rendered in with computer-generated imagery, Yoda is once more portrayed using puppetry, with Frank Oz once again both puppeteering (with three assistants) and voicing the character.[30]
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Yoda is heard in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as one of the voices of Jedi past who speak to Rey during her battle against the resurrected Darth Sidious.[31]
Animated series
Clone Wars (2003)
Yoda appears in the 2003
In 2014, the series was deprecated from the
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Yoda appears in The Clone Wars, again voiced by Tom Kane. In the pilot film, Yoda assigns Anakin Skywalker his own padawan, Ahsoka Tano as he believes that she will help Anakin grow as a Jedi and as a person. Throughout most of the series, Yoda spends his time on Coruscant with the Jedi Council but he occasionally leaves for certain tasks, such as negotiations with King Katuunko on Rugosa and a confrontation with Asajj Ventress's droid army. Yoda also watches over Anakin and Ahsoka throughout the series, pleased that they are both maturing with each other's influence. However, in the final arc of season five, Ahsoka is framed for a crime she didn't commit and Yoda and the Jedi Council turn her over to the Republic military. Along with other members of the council, Yoda observes Ahsoka's trial but Anakin bursts in with the true culprit, fallen Jedi Barriss Offee, before the verdict can be read. Afterwards Yoda, Anakin, and the Council personally invite Ahsoka to rejoin the Order but she refuses and leaves. According to show runner Dave Filoni, Yoda blames himself for Ahsoka's departure as he had made her Anakin's padawan in the first place.
In the final arc of the sixth season, Yoda hears Qui-Gon Jinn speaking to him from beyond the grave. Yoda flees the Jedi Temple with R2-D2 to travel to Dagobah, his future home, to find answers. Shown cryptic visions of the fall of the Jedi, Yoda learns he has been chosen to manifest his consciousness after death as a Force ghost. Yoda is tested by a group of spirit priestesses in order to overcome trials and temptations on his pilgrimage; one of these tests is to face an illusion of ancient Sith lord
Star Wars Rebels (2014)
Yoda was heard in the Star Wars Rebels episode "Path of the Jedi" with Frank Oz reprising the role for the first time since Revenge of the Sith.[33] He communicates with padawan Ezra Bridger and his master Kanan Jarrus during their experience in an ancient temple on Lothal, helping the pair do some soul-searching to analyze their true motivations. He appears physically for the first time in the season two episode "Shroud of Darkness", in which he appears in a vision of Ezra's and reunites with Ahsoka. His appearance in the series differs from his usual countenance as an homage to an early Ralph McQuarrie design for the character as well as a classic Kenner action figure. This was justified by premise that Ezra is viewing the character through his own imagination,[34] but the decision was confusing to many viewers.[35]
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022)
Yoda is seen in two of the six episodes of
Literature
Yoda appears extensively in the
Since 2014, Yoda has also been featured in a number of canon books and other works, including Dooku: Jedi Lost and Master & Apprentice, which take place before The Phantom Menace. He appeared in The High Republic Adventures comic, set 200 years before the prequel trilogy.[37]
Other appearances
Yoda was featured in a series of 2012 commercials for Vodafone, which were broadcast in the UK. He was animated by Industrial Light & Magic for the commercials.[38][39][40]
Yoda appears in a television series based on the Lego Star Wars toys, including Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles and The New Yoda Chronicles, of which he is the focus, as well as The Padawan Menace and Droid Tales.[41]
See also
- Yoda – a parody song by "Weird Al" Yankovic
- Yoda conditions – a style of writing conditionals in computer programming languages
Notes
- Star Tours, Star Wars Rebels
- ^ The Clone Wars film and series, Star Wars Forces of Destiny and various games
- Return of the Jediradio dramas
- ^ Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- ^ Star Wars: Rebellion [1]
- ^ Read-along storybook CDs
- ^ Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures [2]
- ^ Lead puppeteer, Episodes I, V–VI, VIII
- ^ Episodes I–VI
- ^ Episodes I–III
- ^ Episodes II–III
- ^ Yoda has blue skin in some of Johnston's drawings.[10] He also has blue skin in the novelization of The Empire Strikes Back.[11]
References
Citations
- ^ "Yoda Voice - Star Wars: Rebellion (Video Game)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Will Premiere May the Fourth". Gizmodo. February 9, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Yoda". StarWars.com. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ "Yoda". StarWars.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ Newby, Richard (November 15, 2019). "Will 'The Mandalorian' Answer One Question George Lucas Never Did?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Rinzler 2010, pp. 22, 34.
- ^ "Unscripted With Hayden Christensen and George Lucas". Moviefone. May 19, 2005. Event occurs at 5:22. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Rinzler 2010, p. 104.
- ^ Rinzler 2010, p. 165.
- ^ Rinzler 2010, p. 218.
- ^ Guynes & Hassler-Forest, p. 77.
- ^ "Star Wars make-up artist Stuart Freeborn dies aged 98". BBC News. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
- 20th Century Fox Television. Event occurs at 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- ^ Rinzler 2010, p. 241.
- ISBN 978-0-345-52612-0. Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ^ Desowitz, Bill (June 14, 2002). "Yoda as We've Never Seen Him Before". Animation World Magazine. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 6.
- ^ Logan, Tom (August 25, 2011). "Yoda Goes CGI in 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace' on Blu-ray". Hi-Def Digest. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ Gould, Chris. "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith". dvdactive. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
'The Chosen One' is another short documentary [...] [It] also feature[s] a scene from The Phantom Menace in which Yoda is presented as an entirely computer generated 'actor', perhaps warming up for a re-release somewhere down the line.
- ^ "The Making of Yoda (part two)". netdwellers.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ^ "Dagobah – T-bone's Star Wars Universe". February 25, 2013. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "Dogabah Second Unit Still". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- ^ "Deep Roy as Yoda". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
- ^ Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (December 16, 2017). "The Last Jedi spoiler talk: How an old-school Star Wars character made a surprising return". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- ^ Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- ^ Bryant, Jacob (December 21, 2015). "Obi-Wan, Yoda Secretly in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ McCluskey, Megan (December 15, 2017). "An All-Time Favorite Star Wars Character Makes an Epic Cameo in The Last Jedi". Time. Time Inc. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ Evans, Nick (January 2018). "Why Star Wars: The Last Jedi Used A Puppet For Yoda". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "'Star Wars' fans rejoice: Beloved character Yoda will return". New York Daily News. April 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ Cotter, Padraig (May 23, 2019). "Why Genndy Tartakovsky's Star Wars: Clone Wars Isn't Canon". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ "Exclusive: Yoda Returns for Star Wars Rebels". tvguide.com. December 15, 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (January 16, 2016). "'Star Wars: Rebels' — A deep dive into the shocking new trailer with creator Dave Filoni". EW.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ David, Margaret (December 12, 2020). "Why Yoda Looked SO Different on Star Wars Rebels". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ "The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Brooks, Dan (September 1, 2020). "Inside Star Wars: The High Republic: Meet Yoda". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- DigitalSpy. Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- DigitalSpy. Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Lepitak, Stephen (January 19, 2012). "Yoda features in Vodafone campaign to promote RED box transfer service". The Drum. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Lego Group (September 21, 2020). "The LEGO Group Reveals LEGO Star Wars The Child Construction Set". Lego.com. Lego. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
Works cited
- Guynes, Sean; Hassler-Forest, Dan, eds. (2018). Star Wars and the History of Transmedia Storytelling (PDF). Amsterdam University Press. ISBN 9789462986213. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- Rinzler, J.W. (2010). The Making of the Empire Strikes Back (eBook v3.1 ed.). London: Del Rey. ISBN 9780345543363.
Further reading
- Greydanus, Steven D. "Is Star Wars Gnostic?". Decent Films. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- Hauptfuhrer, Fred; Peterson, Karen (June 9, 1980). "Yoda Mania: America Falls in Love with the 26–Inch, Green, Pointy-Eared Sage and his Master Puppeteer, Frank Oz". People. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- Kent, Castor Rosencrantz (June 13, 2020). "May The Force Be With You…And Also With You: An Examination of Religion in and the Cultural Impact of Star Wars". Relics, Remnants, and Religion: An Undergraduate Journal in Religious Studies. 5 (1). Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- "Frank Oz: In Confidence (Season 1, Episode 4)". NOW. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
External links
- Yoda on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
- Yoda on IMDb
- Yoda title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database