Nute Gunray
Encyclopedia
Nute Gunray is a fictional character and supporting villain from the Star Wars
universe
, played by Silas Carson
in the films. Besides Palpatine (Darth Sidious)
, he is the only villain to appear in all three episodes of the prequel trilogy.
-faced humanoid with snake
-like eyes, and an enemy of the Galactic Republic. In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
, Gunray and his organization, the Trade Federation
, appear to be the movie's primary villains, but it is made clear early on to the audience that the real antagonist is the Sith Lord
Darth Sidious
(Ian McDiarmid
). Gunray, like most Neimoidians, is paranoid, cowardly, and greedy.
, Gunray blockade
s the planet Naboo
from trade route
s. After a failed attempt to kill the Jedi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Ewan McGregor
) and Qui-Gon Jinn
(Liam Neeson
), Gunray meets with Naboo's Queen, Padmé Amidala
(Natalie Portman
), and feigns ignorance. Gunray orders the droid OOM-9 to find the Jedi, but the droid fails.
Gunray's forces eventually take Theed, the capital city of Naboo, with only the native Gungans eluding him. The invasion sets in motion the events which bring Senator Palpatine to power and lead to the Battle of Naboo.
At the end of the film, with his forces destroyed, Gunray and his accomplice Rune Haako are arrested and sent back to Coruscant
to stand trial for their crimes.
Gunray is never named in The Phantom Menace but simply referred to as "Viceroy"; his name is first mentioned on-screen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
.
, it is revealed that after four trials in the Republic Supreme Court, Gunray still maintains control over the Trade Federation. His quest for power and revenge brings him to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He and Separatist leader Count Dooku
(Christopher Lee
) plan to combine the Trade Federation's droid armies with those of the Techno Union in order to strong-arm smaller star system
s into supporting the Confederacy.
Gunray goes to Geonosis with Haako and several other Separatists to oversee the production of a new droid army. There, Gunray finally gets his chance at revenge when Padmé and the teenaged Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen
) are captured by the Geonosians while trying to rescue the captive Obi-Wan Kenobi. Along with Dooku, Jango Fett
(Temuera Morrison
), Jango's son Boba
(Daniel Logan
), and Poggle the Lesser, Gunray and Haako sit back in a private viewing to watch the former queen and the two Jedi be sentenced to death
in the Geonosian execution arena.
When Yoda
(Frank Oz
) arrives with an army of clone trooper
s, Gunray and Haako scurry aboard their shuttle and flee from the battle.
) agrees to provide the jungle world of Rodia with fresh food and supplies after they are attacked by pirates. Gunray demands one condition: Padmé Amidala's execution. The plot eventually backfires on Gunray, and he is taken into custody by the Republic and to pay for his war crimes. While en route to the Republic capital of Coruscant
, he is freed by Dooku's agents, Asajj Ventress
and a rogue Senate Captain by the name of Argyus. Gunray is tracked down to a Vassek moon by Kit Fisto and his former Padawan, Nadhar Vebb, but escapes. Darth Sidious later ordered Gunray to dispatch reinforcements to assist bounty hunter Cad Bane at Devaron. Bane had stolen a Jedi Holocron which contained vital information which Sidious desired. Gunray sent a Trade Federation escort of Munificent-class frigates to safeguard Bane's escape from Devaron, but was furious when he discovered that Bane had lost four of his ships in battle with the Republic. Though Bane assured Gunray that Sidious would compensate him for the loss of his fleet, Gunray demanded that Bane transmit him the data from the Holocron, but Bane had been unable to open it thus far. Much to Gunray's shock, Bane let Jedi board his ship, and then successfully forced Jedi Anakin Skywalker to open the Holocron in exchange for his Padawan's life. Bane reported his success to Gunray, and the Viceroy offered to send him a rescue ship in exchange for the data from the Holocron — but Bane remained far too cagey to accept Gunray's offer, and made his own escape as the last ship in Gunray's borrowed fleet was destroyed.
, Gunray finds himself at odds with the droid army leader General Grievous
(Matthew Wood). Both Dooku and Grievous are eventually killed, leaving Gunray the last surviving Head of the Confederacy. Darth Sidious contacted Nute Gunray on the moon of Mustafar and acknowledged Gunray had "done well" in leading the Separatists and that he would send his new apprentice Darth Vader to "take care" of Gunray. Gunray welcomes Vader — only to realize that the Sith Lord is in fact Anakin Skywalker, and has come to tie up Sidious' loose ends by killing them all. After a brief fight, Vader slaughters all the council members leaving the head of the Council Nute Gunray for last and killing Gunray by his lightsaber.
, Gunray and his associates visit the Baktoid factories to acquire even more powerful weapons, including destroyer droids
. The book depicts Gunray's rise to Viceroy of the entire Trade Federation, and the events which lead up to the blockade of Naboo in Episode I.
depicts Darth Maul
, at the behest of Darth Sidious, tracking and killing one of Gunray's associates. The incident terrifies Gunray, who realizes for the first time that he is dealing with a very dangerous man.
, Gunray returns to his home on Cato Neimoidia to plunder what wealth he can, while being pursued by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gunray escapes, but is later sent to the planet Utapau with the other Separatist leaders. When Grievous begins his attack on Coruscant, Gunray begins to think he has underestimated the cyborg
general, and, for the first time during the war, he celebrates with his comrades.
by Terry Brooks
, he is portrayed as a great deal braver than his film counterpart, standing his ground when Padmé holds him at gunpoint, and even standing up to Sidious, who accuses Gunray of defying him. In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith
by Matthew Stover
, Gunray is described as treacherous, venal, and cowardly.
giving OOM-9 his missions for the Trade Federation levels and the character is playable in the custom game section. Gunray also appears in the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
video game, on the level 'Assassination on Mustafar', where he realizes Darth Sidious has betrayed him and dispatches security to kill Vader. The player (as Vader) must engage Gunray in a fight, as he has escaped in his personal shuttle.
He was going to appear and be a playable character in the Lego Star Wars
video game series, but the producers cut him out but he is playable in Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars and is purchasable.
s. While most of the complaints were focused on Jar Jar Binks
, complaints were also made concerning Nute Gunray and the Neimoidians negatively portraying Asian culture
by associating stereotypical "Engrish
" accents with the Neimoidian race, known for its greed, cowardice, and connection with the evil Trade Federation.
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
, played by Silas Carson
Silas Carson
Silas Carson is an English actor, mostly known for playing Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and Viceroy Nute Gunray in all three of the Star Wars prequels and providing the voice of the Ood in Doctor Who....
in the films. Besides Palpatine (Darth Sidious)
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
, he is the only villain to appear in all three episodes of the prequel trilogy.
Character overview
Gunray is a Neimoidian, an amphibianAmphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
-faced humanoid with snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
-like eyes, and an enemy of the Galactic Republic. In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms...
, Gunray and his organization, the Trade Federation
Trade Federation
The Trade Federation is a fictional organization in the Star Wars universe at the time of the Galactic Republic. It appears in the franchise's three prequel movies and the Star Wars Expanded Universe...
, appear to be the movie's primary villains, but it is made clear early on to the audience that the real antagonist is the Sith Lord
Sith
-Sith:The Sith is a name applied to certain characters in the Star Wars universe. In the films they are the central antagonists. They are capable of using the dark side of the Force.-The Invention of the Sith:...
Darth Sidious
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
(Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish theatre actor and director, who has also made sporadic appearances on film and television.McDiarmid has had a successful career in theatre; he has been cast in many plays, while occasionally directing others and although he has appeared mostly in theatrical productions,...
). Gunray, like most Neimoidians, is paranoid, cowardly, and greedy.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
In The Phantom MenaceStar Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms...
, Gunray blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
s the planet Naboo
Naboo
Naboo is a fictitious planet in the fictional Star Wars universe with a mostly green terrain and which is the homeworld of two societies: the Gungans who dwell in underwater cities and the humans who live in colonies on the surface...
from trade route
Trade route
A trade route is a logistical network identified as a series of pathways and stoppages used for the commercial transport of cargo. Allowing goods to reach distant markets, a single trade route contains long distance arteries which may further be connected to several smaller networks of commercial...
s. After a failed attempt to kill the Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several primary characters in the Star Wars series. Along with Darth Vader, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear in all six Star Wars films...
(Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
) and Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, and a main protagonist of the 1999 film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by Liam Neeson. He also appears in the Star Wars Expanded Universe of comic books, video games, and novels...
(Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
), Gunray meets with Naboo's Queen, Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala is a fictional character in the Star Wars science fiction franchise. She first appeared on film in the 1999 feature film, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, as the young queen of the planet Naboo. In subsequent prequel trilogy films, Padmé represents Naboo in the Galactic Senate...
(Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
), and feigns ignorance. Gunray orders the droid OOM-9 to find the Jedi, but the droid fails.
Gunray's forces eventually take Theed, the capital city of Naboo, with only the native Gungans eluding him. The invasion sets in motion the events which bring Senator Palpatine to power and lead to the Battle of Naboo.
At the end of the film, with his forces destroyed, Gunray and his accomplice Rune Haako are arrested and sent back to Coruscant
Coruscant
Coruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...
to stand trial for their crimes.
Gunray is never named in The Phantom Menace but simply referred to as "Viceroy"; his name is first mentioned on-screen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of the series' internal chronology...
.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
In Attack of the ClonesStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of the series' internal chronology...
, it is revealed that after four trials in the Republic Supreme Court, Gunray still maintains control over the Trade Federation. His quest for power and revenge brings him to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He and Separatist leader Count Dooku
Count Dooku
Count Dooku is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. Dooku is one of the main antagonists of both Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the events of the Clone Wars and is a supporting villain in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Count Dooku plays a substantial role...
(Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
) plan to combine the Trade Federation's droid armies with those of the Techno Union in order to strong-arm smaller star system
Star system
A star system or stellar system is a small number of stars which orbit each other, bound by gravitational attraction. A large number of stars bound by gravitation is generally called a star cluster or galaxy, although, broadly speaking, they are also star systems.-Binary star systems:A stellar...
s into supporting the Confederacy.
Gunray goes to Geonosis with Haako and several other Separatists to oversee the production of a new droid army. There, Gunray finally gets his chance at revenge when Padmé and the teenaged Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen is a Canadian actor. He appeared in Canadian television programs when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in Life as a House, for which he was nominated for a Golden...
) are captured by the Geonosians while trying to rescue the captive Obi-Wan Kenobi. Along with Dooku, Jango Fett
Jango Fett
Jango Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He first appeared as one of the main antagonists in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and later served as the protagonist of the LucasArts video game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, played by Temuera Morrison.Jango Fett serves as...
(Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
), Jango's son Boba
Boba Fett
Boba Fett is a character in Star Wars. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, he is a minor villain in both Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
(Daniel Logan
Daniel Logan
Daniel Logan is an actor from New Zealand known to Star Wars fans as the young Boba Fett from the film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.-Early life and career:Logan was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 6 June 1987...
), and Poggle the Lesser, Gunray and Haako sit back in a private viewing to watch the former queen and the two Jedi be sentenced to death
Death Sentence
Death Sentence is a short story by the American science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the November 1943 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov.-Plot summary:...
in the Geonosian execution arena.
When Yoda
Yoda
Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, appearing in the second and third original films, as well as all three prequel trilogy films. A renowned Jedi master, Yoda made his first on-screen appearance in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back where he is responsible for...
(Frank Oz
Frank Oz
Frank Oz is a British-born American film director, actor, voice actor and puppeteer who is known for creating and performing the characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Show, Cookie Monster, Bert and Grover in Sesame Street, and for directing films, including the 1986 Little Shop of...
) arrives with an army of clone trooper
Clone trooper
The clone troopers of the Army of the Republic are soldiers in the fictional Star Wars universe, cloned from Jango Fett, a Mandalorian bounty hunter. They first appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and returned in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith where they were played...
s, Gunray and Haako scurry aboard their shuttle and flee from the battle.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
A few months into the war, Gunray (voiced by Tom KennyTom Kenny
Thomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
) agrees to provide the jungle world of Rodia with fresh food and supplies after they are attacked by pirates. Gunray demands one condition: Padmé Amidala's execution. The plot eventually backfires on Gunray, and he is taken into custody by the Republic and to pay for his war crimes. While en route to the Republic capital of Coruscant
Coruscant
Coruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...
, he is freed by Dooku's agents, Asajj Ventress
Asajj Ventress
Asajj Ventress is a fictional character from the Star Wars Expanded Universe. She is best known for her appearances in the Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series, in which she is played by voice-actress Grey DeLisle and serves as Anakin Skywalker's arch nemesis during the first season...
and a rogue Senate Captain by the name of Argyus. Gunray is tracked down to a Vassek moon by Kit Fisto and his former Padawan, Nadhar Vebb, but escapes. Darth Sidious later ordered Gunray to dispatch reinforcements to assist bounty hunter Cad Bane at Devaron. Bane had stolen a Jedi Holocron which contained vital information which Sidious desired. Gunray sent a Trade Federation escort of Munificent-class frigates to safeguard Bane's escape from Devaron, but was furious when he discovered that Bane had lost four of his ships in battle with the Republic. Though Bane assured Gunray that Sidious would compensate him for the loss of his fleet, Gunray demanded that Bane transmit him the data from the Holocron, but Bane had been unable to open it thus far. Much to Gunray's shock, Bane let Jedi board his ship, and then successfully forced Jedi Anakin Skywalker to open the Holocron in exchange for his Padawan's life. Bane reported his success to Gunray, and the Viceroy offered to send him a rescue ship in exchange for the data from the Holocron — but Bane remained far too cagey to accept Gunray's offer, and made his own escape as the last ship in Gunray's borrowed fleet was destroyed.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithStar Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
, Gunray finds himself at odds with the droid army leader General Grievous
General Grievous
General Grievous is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, an antagonist in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He was voiced by Matthew Wood...
(Matthew Wood). Both Dooku and Grievous are eventually killed, leaving Gunray the last surviving Head of the Confederacy. Darth Sidious contacted Nute Gunray on the moon of Mustafar and acknowledged Gunray had "done well" in leading the Separatists and that he would send his new apprentice Darth Vader to "take care" of Gunray. Gunray welcomes Vader — only to realize that the Sith Lord is in fact Anakin Skywalker, and has come to tie up Sidious' loose ends by killing them all. After a brief fight, Vader slaughters all the council members leaving the head of the Council Nute Gunray for last and killing Gunray by his lightsaber.
Cloak of Deception
In the novel Cloak of DeceptionCloak of Deception
Cloak of Deception is a 2002 novel set in the Star Wars galaxy. It is a prequel novel occurring before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The book was written by James Luceno. The cover art was by Steven Anderson...
, Gunray and his associates visit the Baktoid factories to acquire even more powerful weapons, including destroyer droids
Battle droid
Battle Droids are a fictional, robotic combat unit used in the Star Wars Universe. Though developed earlier, battle droids served as frontline units in the Trade Federation Army and for the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars era. They were mass produced on Confederate planets...
. The book depicts Gunray's rise to Viceroy of the entire Trade Federation, and the events which lead up to the blockade of Naboo in Episode I.
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
The novel Darth Maul: Shadow HunterDarth Maul: Shadow Hunter
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter is a 2001 novel set in the Star Wars galaxy. It is a prequel novel occurring before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The book was written by Michael Reaves. The cover art was by David Stevenson...
depicts Darth Maul
Darth Maul
Darth Maul is a fictional character in the science fiction saga Star Wars. He is one of the main antagonists of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by martial artist Ray Park and voiced by Peter Serafinowicz....
, at the behest of Darth Sidious, tracking and killing one of Gunray's associates. The incident terrifies Gunray, who realizes for the first time that he is dealing with a very dangerous man.
Labyrinth of Evil
In the novel Labyrinth of EvilLabyrinth of Evil
Labyrinth of Evil is a 2005 novel by James Luceno set in the fictional Star Wars universe. The events of this novel occur just before Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, overlapping with the events of the second season of Star Wars: Clone Wars.-Summary:On the planet Cato Neimoidia, Jedi...
, Gunray returns to his home on Cato Neimoidia to plunder what wealth he can, while being pursued by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gunray escapes, but is later sent to the planet Utapau with the other Separatist leaders. When Grievous begins his attack on Coruscant, Gunray begins to think he has underestimated the cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
general, and, for the first time during the war, he celebrates with his comrades.
Novelizations
The representation of Nute Gunray differs somewhat in the novelizations of the films. In The Phantom Menace novelizationStar Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (novel)
The Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace novelization was written by Terry Brooks and published on 21 April 1999 by Del Rey. It is based on the script of the film of the same name and released with multiple covers, including Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Queen Amidala.-...
by Terry Brooks
Terry Brooks
Terence Dean "Terry" Brooks is an American writer of fantasy fiction. He writes mainly epic fantasy, and has also written two movie novelizations. He has written 23 New York Times bestsellers during his writing career, and has over 21 million copies of his books in print...
, he is portrayed as a great deal braver than his film counterpart, standing his ground when Padmé holds him at gunpoint, and even standing up to Sidious, who accuses Gunray of defying him. In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (novel)
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is a novelization of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith written by Matthew Stover and published on April 2, 2005 by Del Rey Books....
by Matthew Stover
Matthew Stover
Matthew Woodring Stover is an American fantasy and science fiction novelist. He is perhaps best known for his four Star Wars novels, including the novelization of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He has also written several fantasy novels, including Iron Dawn and Jericho Moon...
, Gunray is described as treacherous, venal, and cowardly.
Video games
Nute Gunray appears in the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace video game on both the first and final levels. He also appears in the strategy game Galactic BattlegroundsStar Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds is a real-time strategy computer game set in the Star Wars universe.Players have a choice of factions and campaigns. The factions in the original game include the Wookiees, Royal Naboo, the Trade Federation, the Empire, the Rebels, and the Gungans...
giving OOM-9 his missions for the Trade Federation levels and the character is playable in the custom game section. Gunray also appears in the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (video game)
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith is the official LucasArts 2005 video game based on the movie of the same name. It centers around Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as the Clone Wars come to an end. It was released on May 5, 2005, for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and...
video game, on the level 'Assassination on Mustafar', where he realizes Darth Sidious has betrayed him and dispatches security to kill Vader. The player (as Vader) must engage Gunray in a fight, as he has escaped in his personal shuttle.
He was going to appear and be a playable character in the Lego Star Wars
Lego Star Wars
Lego Star Wars is a Lego theme that incorporates the Star Wars saga. The first Lego Star Wars, released in 1999, included model 7140, the first Lego X-Wing. Star Wars was the first intellectual property to be licensed in Lego Group history . The first few sets based on the original trilogy were...
video game series, but the producers cut him out but he is playable in Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars and is purchasable.
Other appearances
- The Stark Hyperspace War
- Darth Maul: SaboteurDarth Maul: SaboteurDarth Maul: Saboteur is a short story by James Luceno, set in the Star Wars universe. It was released in ebook form, with a length equivalent to about 55 printed pages, on February 1, 2001....
- Reversal of Fortune
Costumes
In The Phantom Menace, Nute Gunray wears a crimson robe and tricornered headdress. In Attack of the Clones, he wears red robes and a slightly different head-dress. In Revenge of the Sith, he wears an orange robe with a turban like head-dress.Controversy
Following the release of The Phantom Menace, some critics charged that the mannerisms and voices of a few Star Wars characters represented racial stereotypeStereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
s. While most of the complaints were focused on Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character...
, complaints were also made concerning Nute Gunray and the Neimoidians negatively portraying Asian culture
Culture of Asia
The culture of Asia is human civilization in Asia. It features different kinds of cultural heritage of many nationalities, societies, and ethnic groups in the region, traditionally called a continent from a Western-centric perspective, of Asia...
by associating stereotypical "Engrish
Engrish
refers to unusual forms of English language usage by native speakers of some East Asian languages. The term itself relates to Japanese speakers' tendency to inadvertently substitute the English phonemes "R" and "L" for one another, because the Japanese language has one alveolar consonant in place...
" accents with the Neimoidian race, known for its greed, cowardice, and connection with the evil Trade Federation.