Pre Vizsla/Legends

Pre Vizsla was the male Human leader of the Mandalorian Death Watch faction during the Clone Wars. Seeking to restore Mandalore and its people to their warrior ways, Vizsla secretly allied himself with Count Dooku and his Confederacy of Independent Systems to overthrow Duchess Satine Kryze and her peace-seeking New Mandalorian government, which ruled over the Mandalorians' homeworld. While governing Mandalore's moon, Concordia, and maintaining loyalty to Kryze in public, Vizsla led the Death Watch in secret from several Concordian mining camp bases. The Death Watch's terrorist attacks on Mandalore came to a head when Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi arrived on Concordia with Kryze to follow leads on the Death Watch. Kenobi's investigations eventually forced Vizsla to make his true allegiances known, and Vizsla revealed himself as the leader of the Death Watch and an enemy to Kryze and her government. After engaging Kenobi in a short duel, Vizsla forced him and Kryze to flee Concordia.

Vizsla conspired with Mandalorian Senator Tal Merrik to capture Kryze during her journey to Coruscant, where she intended to plead her case directly to the Galactic Senate, but Merrik was defeated before he could complete his assignment. Amassing an army of Death Watch troops on Concordia in preparation to take over Mandalore, Vizsla was forced to wait until his and Dooku's plot to turn Mandalore against the Republic was completed. Vizsla dispatched a Death Watch assassin to Coruscant to kill Kryze, as her death would remove the opposition to the Senate's upcoming vote to have Republic troops occupy Mandalore&mdash;an occupation of which would allow the Death Watch to gain the Mandalore populace's support and "liberate" them from the Republic. However, the assassin failed to murder Kryze, and the plot itself fell through, with the Senate voting against occupying Mandalore. With this turn of events, Vizsla was forced to postpone his attack on Mandalore, as his forces would be unable to hold the planet without its people's support.

Leader of the Death Watch
The male Human Pre Vizsla was a Mandalorian who lived during the Clone Wars. By around 22 BBY, Vizsla had become the leader of the Death Watch splinter group in opposition to the pacifist Duchess Satine Kryze and her peaceful New Mandalorian organization's rule over the planet Mandalore, a government that Vizsla believed to dishonor the Mandalorians' generations-old warrior ways. Appearing supportive to Kryze in public and becoming one of her trusted allies while secretly leading the Death Watch, Vizsla rose to the position of governor of Mandalore's moon, Concordia, a separate province that operated independently of Mandalore's government&mdash;and also housed several abandoned mining camps, one of which Vizsla transformed into a Death Watch base.

Vizsla eventually came into the possession of the Darksaber, a black-bladed lightsaber that his ancestors had stolen from the Jedi Temple during the fall of the Old Republic and had since caused many Jedi to die by its blade. Vizsla desired to reignite the feud between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, as the latter had once been the former's mortal enemies. In order to overthrow Duchess Kryze and her New Mandalorians, Vizsla sought the allegiance of Count Dooku and his Confederacy of Independent Systems, which promised their support to Vizsla in his fight to undermine Kryze's rule and take over Mandalore. The Death Watch began to engage in acts of terrorism on Mandalore and in its capital city, Sundari, to undermine Kryze's rule and breed discord among the people. Vizsla himself maintained Kryze's trust by appearing to spearhead the search for the Death Watch so that the warriors could be captured.

Allegiances revealed
When word reached the Galactic Senate that Kryze was secretly building her own army to fight for the Confederacy, Mandalore became host to Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had been sent by the Jedi High Council to investigate the rumors of treason. Learning of Kenobi's presence on Mandalore, Vizsla holographically contacted Count Dooku from the Death Watch's secret Concordian military camp, perturbed with Kenobi's presence. Vizsla initially could not understand Dooku's apparent unconcern with the Jedi Master's arrival, reminding Dooku of his promise to help overthrow Kryze and her government and stating that if the Republic intervened now, the Death Watch would be unable to take over Mandalore. Dooku himself advised patience, proclaiming that the Republic's continued involvement in Mandalorian affairs, combined with the Senate's impending order to send troops to keep the peace on Mandalore, would spread discontent amongst the Mandalore populace&mdash;and, as Vizsla realized, cause them to rebel, set up Death Watch's role as the people's liberator, and strengthen the renegade faction's insurgency.

Eventually, Governor Vizsla and several of his guards greeted Kenobi and Kryze in the hangar of a Concordian governmental complex when the two came to Concordia in a Mandalorian shuttle to deliver the dead body of the instigator behind a Death Watch bombing of Sundari's memorial shrine. After being introduced to Kenobi, Vizsla attempted to rebuke the rumors of Kryze's alliance with the Separatists, to which Kenobi replied that his only instructions were to "seek the truth." Vizsla then took possession of the body of the bomber, who himself had chosen to die instead of being captured, and left with his men to attend to it. Later, while Vizsla was writing a condolence letter to the man's family on his datapad in his residence on Concordia and making arrangements for the body to be retrieved, he was joined by Kryze, who stated that Kenobi would be present shortly, as he needed to "meditate." Over refreshments, Kryze shared her concerns that someone was feeding misinformation to the Republic that the Death Watch was "taking over Mandalore" and shared her suspicions that an external force was assisting the Mandalorian renegades. Vizsla himself speculated that the party would have to be among the "highest levels of influence" in the Separatist Alliance and mused that Kryze herself was being targeted for her role as leader of the Council of Neutral Systems, which directly conflicted with the Separatists' conquest of the galaxy. Vizsla also humorously told Kryze to take the fact that a powerful individual was working toward her downfall as a compliment.

As time passed, Vizsla noticed that General Kenobi's meditation was taking rather long, and Kryze replied that the Jedi never did anything "by halves." Vizsla offered Kryze another drink and stated that they should begin dinner without Kenobi, but Kryze&mdash;who had, in fact, been secretly contacted by Kenobi, whose investigations had led him to be captured by the Death Watch&mdash;excused herself from the governor's company. Kryze stated that she needed some fresh air and politely refused Vizsla's offer to escort her outside. Again assuming his position as the Death Watch's leader, Vizsla arrived in full armor at the mining base where Kenobi was being held. When Kenobi&mdash;having been rescued by the Duchess&mdash;and Kryze emerged from a mining shaft close to the camp where Vizsla and his men were waiting, the Death Watch immediately opened fire on the pair. Vizsla ordered three more of his men forward to stop Kenobi, and the trio activated their JT-12 jetpacks, flying toward the Jedi Master's position and targeting their fire at him. However, they were unable to complete their task and were stopped before they could cause the enemy pair any harm. Resolving to take care of the matter personally, Vizsla ordered the rest of his troops to evacuate Concordia. Once three Death Watch shuttles had departed, Vizsla and several of his men walked toward the outcrop where Kenobi and Kryze had taken refuge.

Along the way, Vizsla used his blaster to coldly shoot one of his fallen men that had earlier been unable to stop Kenobi, disgusted by his subordinate's failure. Kenobi emerged from his refuge behind the rocks, and Vizsla continued forward without his guards. Vizsla then removed his helmet, revealing the identity of the Death Watch's leader to Kenobi and Kryze. Ignoring the latter's shock at learning of her fellow official's betrayal, Vizsla addressed Kenobi, proclaiming that Kryze tarnished the very name Mandalorian with her peace-seeking government. Tossing Kenobi back his lightsaber, which his men had stolen earlier during the Jedi's capture, Vizsla drew and activated his own black-bladed lightsaber, the very weapon that his ancestors had stolen from the Jedi Temple long ago. With a battle cry, Vizsla lunged at Kenobi, executing a powerful slash at him. A fierce lightsaber duel erupted, with both parties slashing at the other and dodging and blocking his opponent's attacks. However, Kenobi eventually Force-pushed Vizsla several meters backward, and he was caught by his three accomplices. Vizsla again advanced at Kenobi, only to be kicked and disarmed of his weapon. Vizsla then continued at Kenobi and socked him, taking advantage of the temporarily gap in the fighting to retrieve his own lightsaber.

This time, Vizsla used his jetpack to employ an advantageous greater altitude in the fight, but Kenobi simply jumped up and intercepted him in the air. Battered by Kenobi, Vizsla was forced back down to the ground, his jetpack and lightsaber deactivated. Getting back on his feet, Vizsla chose not to pursue Kenobi again and instead ordered his warriors to finish the Jedi Master. The three Death Watch members launched a missile apiece from their rocket packs, and Kenobi and Kryze were forced to jump into the mine shaft to avoid the explosives. The three warriors inspected the damaged mine shaft and inquired if they should pursue Kenobi. Vizsla ordered them not to, as there was no time, but noted that they would catch up with the Duchess "soon enough." After escaping Concordia, Kenobi and Kryze returned to Mandalore, from where they then departed for the Republic capital of Coruscant under Republic escort aboard Kryze's starship, the Coronet, so that Kryze could plead her case directly to the Galactic Senate. Vizsla schemed with Mandalorian Senator Tal Merrik, a Death Watch agent and one of the Coronet passengers, to capture Kryze. Merrik eventually reported his success in taking Kryze hostage to Vizsla and requested reinforcements so that he could transport her away. Pleased with Merrik's exploits, Vizsla replied that additional forces had been dispatched to cover his escape. In the ensuing battle aboard the Coronet, however, Merrik was killed by Kryze's Jedi escorts. Kryze was able to safely reach Coruscant, leaving the Death Watch with another failed attempt on her life.

Preparations for battle
"With your Death Watch army in place, now all we need do is to sit and wait.''" "But for how long? My men are anxious to fight." "''Considering the plot we've just set in motion, I assure you, the Republic will oblige you the fight you're looking for."

- Count Dooku and Pre Vizsla

Following the unsuccessful attacks on Kryze, Vizsla mobilized a Death Watch army at the Concordian base in preparation to take over Mandalore. The force was mainly compromised of Death Watch warriors but was also backed up by a number of Separatist Armored Assault Tanks. With his army in place, Vizsla used a comm station to contact Dooku, who was elsewhere in space with a Separatist fleet. Vizsla was impatient, as both himself and his men were anxious to fight, but Dooku recalled the plot that they had set into motion of manipulating the Republic Senate into ordering an occupation of Mandalore&mdash;which would subsequently cause Death Watch to appear as "liberators" when they attacked Mandalore and would thus gain Death Watch the people's support. Dooku ordered Vizsla to send a Death Watch assassin to Coruscant, as Kryze had to die if the Senate vote was to move forward and their plan was to succeed. Vizsla nodded to his agent, sending him after Kryze, and continued to confer with Dooku.

Later, while Vizsla was readying his men for the impending attack, he was contacted by the assassin. The agent reported that Kryze had twice escaped and stated that during their latest encounter, he had killed an informant that had appeared to be meeting with her to transfer something. Vizsla ordered the assassin to find her, as whatever Kryze was carrying might compromise the plan. Eventually, however, word reached Vizsla and his Death Watch army that the assassin had failed to kill Kryze and that the Senate had voted against sending an occupational force to Mandalore, nullifying the Death Watch's opportunity to gain the Mandalore populace's support during the invasion. Livid about having to postpone his attack, Vizsla angrily strode through his men&mdash;who had been ordered to stand down and were rushing around the base&mdash;to a comm station and contacted Dooku. Seething, Vizsla used the Count as a target for his frustration and stated his intention to continue with the invasion. Dooku advised against such a rash action&mdash;despite the Death Watch's capability of conquering Mandalore, they would only be able to hold the planet for "perhaps a day" if they did not have the people's support. Dooku cited Vizsla's inexperience in battle, attributing it to his rashness, and stated that he had other ways of accomplishing their goal.

Personality and traits
"Unacceptable! You promised us we would reclaim Mandalore from these weak-willed cowards! I will order my men to attack.''" "''And if you do, you'll hold the planet for perhaps a day. Without the backing of my forces or your people, your revolution will be over before it begins."

- Pre Vizsla expresses his frustration to Count Dooku

Pre Vizsla was a defender of the Mandalorians' historic past as warriors that had once fought against the Jedi Order itself. Recognizing the Mandalorians' previous culture and what he believed that they "should be," Vizsla possessed a desire to return Mandalore and its people to that reality by leading the Death Watch in its campaign to take control of the Mandalorians' homeworld. He also intended to reignite the ancient feud between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, seeking to make his people mortal enemies of the Jedi once more. Vizsla opposed Duchess Satine Kryze and her New Mandalorian government, viewing them as weak and believing that they tarnished the very name Mandalorian. However, Vizsla, as a loyal governor of Concordia and one of the officials leading the "search" for the Death Watch, was able to guard his true allegiances from Kryze for some time. His "support" of Kryze was to such a degree that he came to be considered one of her trusted allies. Vizsla was willing to ally himself with Count Dooku and the Confederacy of Independent Systems if it meant that the Death Watch could emerge victorious over Kryze's government and that his vision of the reemergence of the Mandalorians' generations-old warrior culture was recognized. Vizsla also schemed with the corrupt and evil Senator Tal Merrik to capture Kryze, although Merrik was unsuccessful in his exploits.

Vizsla was a ruthless leader, shooting down one of his own fallen warriors out of disgust for his subordinate's failure to stop Kenobi. However, Vizsla chose not to fight Kenobi when the latter was unarmed and instead returned Kenobi's lightsaber to him before engaging him in a duel. Vizsla was confident in his own abilities to make Kenobi join the many Jedi that had fallen by the Darksaber's blade, but his misjudgment cost him a defeat at the Jedi Master's hands. After being beaten back twice by Kenobi, Vizsla decided not to mount another attack and instead ordered three of his accompanying troops to finish the Jedi Master off themselves. When the plot to manipulate the Republic Senate in voting to occupy Mandalore failed, Vizsla became livid from this turn of events and used his intense frustration while making decisions. He intended to continue with invading Mandalore, despite the fact that the Death Watch would not have the people's support in the take-over, and only postponed the attack at Count Dooku's urging for patience. Dooku himself attributed Vizsla's rash desires to his inexperience on the battlefield.

Talents and abilities
Vizsla was an able fighter, possessing enough combat skills to hold out against Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi for a short amount of time in a lightsaber duel. In close combat, Vizsla used the Darksaber blade and attempted to use both brute force and greater height with his jetpack to his advantage. Although Vizsla acquitted himself well for a warrior without the benefit of the Force, he was ultimately unable to defeat Kenobi and was bested by the Jedi Master.

Equipment
Vizsla wore a suit of black-and-blue Mandalorian armor complete with a T-visor helmet that was painted with a distinctive cream-colored trident symbol above his visor. He also wore a striped light gray cape that displayed the mark of the Death Watch. His shoulder pads were adorned with a red-and-white rank insignia. Vizsla used a variety of equipment in combat; among his tools were a pair of blaster pistols and JT-12 jetpack, as well as the flat-edged, black-bladed Darksaber that his ancestors had stolen from the Jedi Temple long before the Clone Wars.

Behind the scenes
"I thought it would be a really cool thing for Jon, and fun for fans if he did the part. And he did a great job of playing Pre Vizsla; he's the one guy that, in this whole Mandalorian world, is the defender of the historic Mandalorian past. He's the one character who knows what the Mandalorians were and what they should be, and wants to get them back to that reality. He's a great character and I think that he'll become a favorite of many fans."

- Series Director Dave Filoni, on casting Jon Favreau in the role of Pre Vizsla

The character of Pre Vizsla was created for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series and first appeared in the series' 2010 second season after being mentioned in several issues of the Star Wars Insider magazine. He was featured as the primary antagonist of the episodes "The Mandalore Plot," "Voyage of Temptation," and "Duchess of Mandalore," all of which formed a story arc centered around the Mandalorians in the series. Vizsla was voiced in his television appearances by American actor Jon Favreau, the director of the popular Iron Man movie series, whose role in portraying Vizsla marked his first contribution to Star Wars canon. Favreau was recruited for the part by Series Director Dave Filoni. According to an interview with Filoni that was featured in Star Wars Insider 115, the name "Pre" is a title of stature, like "pre-eminent," while the "Vizsla" name came from Tor Vizsla, the original leader of the Death Watch who was featured in the 2002 Jango Fett: Open Seasons comic book series. Vizsla will be given an entry in the upcoming The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia book, to be released in Summer 2010. He will also be collected in Hasbro's 2010 toy figure line.

A concept art model sheet that was published in Star Wars Insider 116 indicated that Vizsla's name was originally spelled "Visla." On the same model sheet, the symbol on his cape was depicted as the Mandalorian symbol, suggesting that the symbol was originally that of the Mandalorians and was adjusted for the final version of "The Mandalore Plot." Because "Voyage of Temptation" was produced with the television series' first season, well before the other installments in the Mandalorian story arc, the character model used for Vizsla in the episode was based on the Phase I clone trooper armor design&mdash;disguised only by his serape&mdash;instead of the finalized character design used in the later episodes.