Legends Grievous Is Almost an Unstoppable Monster, but That’s Not the Angle Lucas Was Really Going for With Him

General Grievous, the unique cybernetic blend of alien and machine, has captivated many fans. Are there any Grievous enthusiasts here? 

To be honest, what Grievous accomplished in the Star Wars series and the movies is nothing short of spectacular. 

His background is fascinating, and his skills are phenomenal. However, did you know that George Lucas viewed Grievous as a “cowardly villain”? 

Yes, George Lucas himself mentioned this in the Revenge of the Sith commentary. 

So, let’s dive into exactly what George Lucas had to say about General Grievous. 

General Grievous: The Most Formidable Cyborg in the Star Wars Galaxy

We understand how dangerous General Grievous was, General Grievous: The Fearsome Jedi Hunter and A Master of Lightsaber Combat.

One of the most iconic scenes featuring General Grievous is his confrontation with Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. 

Grievous wields four lightsabers simultaneously, each one taken from Jedi he has defeated in battle. 

One of Grievous’ most iconic moments in Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) is during the Battle of Hypori. 

Grievous takes on several Jedi at once, including Ki-Adi-Mundi, Shaak Ti, and Aayla Secura, single-handedly defeating most of them. 

His speed, agility, and brutal efficiency highlight just how dangerous he is, despite his lack of Force sensitivity. 

His ability to dodge attacks, leap incredible distances, and strike with pinpoint precision make him nearly impossible to counter.

Or consider how he led the Separatist Droid Army in the invasion of Dathomir, wiping out every single one of the Nightsisters.

After Count Dooku orders the extermination of the Nightsisters as revenge for Mother Talzin’s betrayal, Grievous leads the Separatist Droid Army in an all-out assault on the planet.

Grievous’ strategic brilliance and sheer combat ability shine as he leads his forces against the powerful Nightsisters, who use dark side magic to resist the droid onslaught. 

Despite the Nightsisters’ mystical powers, Grievous ruthlessly cuts through their ranks, demonstrating his combat prowess in one-on-one confrontations with formidable enemies. In a key moment, Grievous faces Asajj Ventress.

Their duel is fierce, but Grievous’ superior strength and cybernetic enhancements give him the upper hand, forcing Ventress to retreat.

George Lucas about General Grievous

When George Lucas created General Grievous, he wanted to offer a glimpse into what Anakin Skywalker would eventually become. 

As Lucas explained, Grievous was designed to be “20% alien and 80% robot,” mirroring Anakin’s future as Darth Vader, who is similarly part-machine, part-lifeform. 

Grievous serves as a visual and thematic precursor to Vader, embodying what Anakin is destined to become—a hybrid of organic life and machinery, drained of humanity.

Unlike previous villains in the Star Wars saga, Lucas didn’t want Grievous to be an overwhelmingly powerful, unstoppable figure. 

Instead, Lucas envisioned him as more cunning and cowardly—a villain who is dangerous in combat but often retreats when things get tough. 

We can also look back at the duel between Grievous and Obi-Wan on Utapau in Revenge of the Sith. 

Despite being surrounded by droids and having the upper hand initially, Grievous chose to flee on his wheel bike after a few exchanges of lightsaber combat, rather than facing defeat head-on.

Grievous isn’t intended to be physically dominant like Darth Vader or Dooku; rather, he’s more of a strategist, someone who operates behind the scenes. 

His role as a manipulative, behind-the-scenes figure draws comparisons to Emperor Palpatine, who is also more concerned with control and cunning than brute force.

Lucas wanted Grievous to feel like a villain who could outsmart his enemies but wasn’t invincible. 

In fact, Grievous is characterized by his tendency to flee at the end of every fight. This element was intentional, reflecting his weakness and vulnerability despite his formidable appearance. 

He is a stark contrast to the bigger, more imposing villains like Vader. 

Grievous’ willingness to run away from battles highlights his lack of the strength or determination that Anakin, even at his worst, demonstrates.

Here is the full Revenge of the Sith commentary. You can start hearing George Lucas share his ideas about General Grievous at the 6:11 timestamp.