Summary
Netflix’s upcomingGears of Warmovie could learn a valuable lesson from Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine’s relationship throughout theStar Warsfranchise. AGears of Warmovie has been in various forms of development for almost 20 years, bouncing between creative minds and different studios before landing at Netflix. The streaming service announced its plans for the adaptation in 2022, and it has recently kicked into high gear with the addition ofDeadpool 2andBullet Traindirector David Leitch signing on to helm the project.
TheGears of Warmovie will likely adapt the plot of the original game, following the human resistance on the planet Sera,focusing on Marcus Fenix, a court-martialed soldier pulled back into the fight as humanity attempts to mount their last-ditch effort to wipe out the Locust Horde threatening their world.Gears of Warcomes with a rich lore that the movie can explore, and beyond the heroic soldiers controlled by players, the Locust villains present an opportunity for complex characters that bring more than a fight to the story.The villains in theGears of Wargames also already have the perfect setup to mimic a proven relationship fromStar Wars, which could enrich the film.
Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine’s Relationship InStar WarsIs SomethingGears Of WarCan Copy
Darth Vader and Palpatine have a storied history throughout theStar Warsfranchise. When Anakin Skywalker was the apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, his mind was already clouded by dark thoughts, with Palpatine using those feelings to seduce him to the dark side of the Force. Anakin wouldeventually evolve into Darth Vader, serving as Palpatine’s apprentice and the central figurehead of the Empire throughout the original trilogy. Audiences saw Vader as an imposing enemy who instilled fear through his mere presence, but he was also bending the knee to Palpatine through it all, ensuring his will was served.
While Darth Vader was the primary antagonist of the original trilogy, Palpatine worked behind the scenes, pulling the strings from the shadowsto wipe out the rebel resistance and assert the Empire’s dominance over the galaxy. Vader would ultimately betray Palpatine to save his son Luke in Return of the Jedi, but their villainous relationship throughout the originalStar Warstrilogy could be fitting for theGears of Warmovie.The firstGears of Wargame presents enemies that could embrace a similar apprentice-style relationship, utilizing RAAM and Queen Myrrah.
RAAM Should Be The Main Villain Of TheGears Of WarMovie
RAAM was the central antagonist in the firstGears of Wargame. He began as a Locust Drone whose exemplary service and loyalty saw him rise through the ranks, becoming the High General and leader of the Locust Horde.Much likeDarth Vader inStar Wars, RAAM is the figurehead of the Locust, putting a central face to the threat that Marcus and his squad are fighting to stop. Vader’s cause was to wipe out the rebels, and RAAM follows a similar path, hoping to eradicate humanity so that the Locust can rule Sera.
Throughout the firstGears of Wargame, RAAM fuels the villainous threat, but players are also presented with voice-over narration from Myrrah, who imparts the exposition that sets up the world. However, at the end of the game, Myrrah is revealed to be the Queen of the Locust Horde, whom RAAM ultimately serves.While RAAM presents as the central villain like Darth Vader, he is similarly controlled by a much darker enemy in Queen Myrrah.
Queen Myrrah Should Be Pulling Strings From The Shadows
Queen Myrrah’sbackstory inGears of Waris quite bleak, which helps to paint a sympathetic side to the character prior to her descent into evil. Myrrah was a human child who was subjected to cruel genetic experimentation. She also had a child named Reyna, whom she believed had been killed, which spurred her to take over the Locust Horde, utilizing a Hivemind she helped create to control the Locust via a psychic link. With control of the Locust, Myrrah sets about eradicating humanity, which includes enacting the events of E-Day, which saw the Horde emerge from their subterranean existence and start a war.
Despite Myrrah’s prominence throughout later games, she is initially simply a voice, pulling the strings from the shadows, much like Palpatinedid throughout the originalStar Warstrilogy.Palpatine would later become a more prominent threat, as Myrrah herself would do inGears of War, highlighting a unique symmetry that the forthcoming movie can capitalize on.Darth Vader and Palpatine’s relationship shares a similar setup to RAAM andMyrrah inGears of War. If the movie adaptation embraces the dynamic to full effect, it could produce an endearing villain relationship that could help the film thrive through strong villain arcs and backstories. While theGears of Warmovie is still in early development, the creative team behind the project could learn a valuable lesson fromStar Warsto help craft memorable and imposing villains.
