![]() |
Remilia Scarlet foresees more to this article's fate, and any and all information on it may be outdated. Help improve this article by checking and updating its info wherever necessary. And now time resumes! |
Finis Valorum is a hero introduced in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He had been the former Supreme Chancellor of the Republic before Palpatine managed to get him ousted from office and took his place as Chancellor.
He was portrayed by Terence Stamp.
History
Early life
Born on Coruscant in 91 BBY, Valorum was a member of House Valorum, a highly placed family who counted several Supreme Chancellors amongst it members. His ancestor Tarsus Valorum was the first non-Jedi Supreme Chancellor after the reformation in 1032 BBY.
During his rise to the chancellorship Valorum had become friends with Grand Master Yoda.
Naboo's invasion
At some point in his administration, he sent a Jedi to resolve disputes between criminal organizations. In his final term, he sent two Jedi Knights as ambassadors to prevent a war between the Trade Federation and Naboo and stop the blockade. The Chancellor could not do anything except appointing meeting because of the Senate's control.
Queen Amidala called a Vote for No Confidence which left Valorum stunned. He was replaced by Senator Palpatine of Naboo.
The Clone Wars
Following his ouster, Valorum retired from public life. During the Clone Wars, he helped Yoda investigate the mysteries behind a Jedi Master's disappearance.
Some believed him to have been killed in 21 BBY when the freighter he was supposedly on exploded while leaving Coruscant. However Valorum had not been on the freighter and was still alive in 20 BBY.
After the collapse of the Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire Valorum lived a secluded existence. Even though Valorum had been an ineffective leader some Coruscanti had fond memories of him.
Personality
For his entire life, Valorum prepared for when he could one day become the Supreme Chancellor. Once elected, he enjoyed the privileges that came with being the leader of the Republic, though this attitude was to his detriment as ordinary voters did not respond well to it. Despite this, while his administration was hampered by corruption and the complex bureaucracies of the Republic, as Supreme Chancellor he was nonetheless a well-meaning man and a progressive diplomat. Valorum was reelected several times, and celebrated each time by redecorating his office, changing the color scheme of his surroundings.
Valorum held a low opinion of senators who represented companies instead of worlds; however, such an opinion was old fashioned by the time he was Chancellor, resulting in him keeping it private. In fact, he worked to ensure he did not showcase bias towards either type of senator. The final days of his term saw him attempt to resolve the conflict between the Trade Federation and Naboo, but his efforts led to his removal from office
Gallery
Trivia
- According to performer Terence Stamp, the character was intended by George Lucas to be based on then-President of the United States Bill Clinton as a "good but beleaguered man," although Stamp noted that this had been before the Clinton impeachment trial.
- Valorum's name stems from the original drafts of The Star Wars, in which it belonged to a character combined with Vader, then Vader's master, before being phased out of the original trilogy.