Mon Mothma is a character from the Star Wars universe. She served as a political figure from the waning days of the Galactic Republic, is one of the founders, as well as the leader of the Rebel Alliance, and is the first Chancellor of the New Republic. When the foundation of the Galactic Empire replaced the Galactic Republic that had existed for many millennia, she met with her allies in the Senate, such as Senators Padmé Amidala and Bail Organa.
Mon was a stern and stately individual as well as an ardent democrat and opposed Chancellor Palpatine's amassing of executive power during the Clone Wars. She contrasted greatly in her beliefs with those of Separatists who wished to leave the Republic, believing instead, in loyalty to the Republic and the preservation of its independence and democracy. It is this opposition to authoritarianism that led Mon to seek help from the Rebel Alliance. She promoted peace during the Clone Wars, but was still willing to fight to restore democracy to the galaxy. Her ideals led her to become the first Chancellor of the New Republic, where she pushed to avoid the mistakes that the Old Republic had made during the Clone Wars. Though strong executive powers were granted to her - she vehemently declined - believing them to be destructive to the democratic process.
Mon's devotion to her ideals proved difficult at times. After the Galactic Empire's massacre on Kashyyyk, she believed diplomacy to be dead and considered becoming a fighter pilot in the war against the Empire - but she later learned that she provided more value to the Rebellion as its leader than as a soldier. This was supported by the revelation that the Emperor intended to destroy Chandrila with the second Death Star as a means of silencing her - and in this threat lay proof of the effect of her antagonism in that Palpatine was willing to destroy an entire world just to eliminate the voice of opposition from one person. Throughout the Empire's reign, many Chandrilans begged her to cease her opposition to the Emperor for fear of Imperial reprisal against Chandrila - and Mon wondered if a destructive fate for Chandrila would be her fault. She refused to allow herself to be ruled by fear, tormented by the burden of acknowledging that if fear dictated her actions, she might as well surrender to the Empire.
As a Senator of the Galactic Republic, Mon was wary of the increasing amount of power that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was gathering, and along with 1999 other Senators, signed a petition calling for him to relinquish his emergency powers as the Clone Wars neared their end. Realizing that the Senate was quickly losing its last vestiges of political influence, a meeting was held to discuss what options were available if any were to oppose the Supreme Chancellor. After Palpatine reformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire, Mon continued to oppose his policies and did not hide her anger or dismay from him. She went underground and began openly resisting the Empire when its outrages became too difficult to ignore. Mon considered every breath she took to be in rebellion to the Empire.
She was not comfortable with the idea of a "secret council" as it "reeked of the Empire", in her own words - but with the Rebel Alliance on its last legs soon after the Battle of Yavin - Mon was forced to form one with Leia Organa and tasked her with a new protocol.
Film Appearances
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
After Chancellor Palpatine was rescued by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mon Mothma was among the senators present to greet the Chancellor upon his return.
Mothma also appears in several deleted scenes, such as during a private meeting between senators Padmé Amidala, Bail Organa, Chi Eekway Papanoida, Fang Zar, Giddean Danu, Terr Taneel, and herself in Bail's office to discuss the developments, Padmé wondered if the chancellor would dismantle the Senate, to which Mon said there was little use in disbanding it, in her view, the Senate barely existed due to its diminished powers, the group refused to allow a millennium of democracy to end without a fight. Later on, in Padmé's apartment, with Bail, Chi Eekway, Fang, Giddean, and senator Bana Breemu, when Padmé suggested they bring in the Jedi, Mon felt it was too extreme, and decided instead that they should present the Petition of 2000 to the Chancellor before involving the Jedi.
Mon appears in the movie, Rogue One. She is portrayed by Genevieve O'Reilly, who was originally cast to portray the character in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
Mon makes a cameo and non-speaking appearance in the last episode, "Resolve." She is seen next to Bail Organa, attending Padmé's funeral on Naboo where Organa spots former Jedi Padawan, Ahsoka Tano attending the funeral before disapperring.
In "Part Three: Time to Fly", Mon appears meeting Hera Syndulla, accompanied by New Republic senators through a hologram transmission. After warmly greeting Hera, Mon hears the General report she had encountered Imperial loyalists on the planet Corellia under the leadership of Morgan Elsbeth. When Hera reveals that she suspects Grand Admiral Thrawn is still alive and that he is planning to reemerge to take what remains of the Empire, Mon is shocked while some of the senators are in disbelief of Thrawn's survival. Because of the disagreement on Thrawn's possible survival, Mon is unable to send support to Hera and her allies to help investigate Thrawn's survival and fight his remaining forces.
The actress who plays her in the ride's finale, Imagineer VFX producer Marianne McLean, wore the actual costume Caroline Blakiston adorned in Return of the Jedi.
Genevieve O'Reilly was originally cast as Mon Mothma in Revenge of the Sith. However, most of her scenes were cut from the final film.
O'Reilly was chosen to portray the role due to her resemblance to Caroline Blakiston. Before filming, she studied Blakiston's performance, hoping to capture the character's voice and mannerisms.
She reprised her role in Rogue One, and would continue to do so in Andor and Ahsoka.
In the "Legends Continuity", Mon Mothma also had a son who was killed during the Battle of Hoth and Mothma died before the start of the Yuuzhan Vong War.
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