Editing Grand Moff Tarkin (section)

==Appearances==

===Film===

====''Star Wars'' (1977)====
Introduced in the first film in the [[Original trilogy (Star Wars)|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]], Governor Tarkin is a Grand Moff of the Galactic Empire and commander of the [[Death Star]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Peter Cushing in "Star Wars"|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|publisher=[[Block Communications]]|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|date=August 13, 1976|pages=29}}</ref> After [[Emperor Palpatine]] dissolves the Imperial Senate, Tarkin and [[Darth Vader]] (portrayed by [[David Prowse]], voiced by [[James Earl Jones]]) are charged with pursuing and destroying the [[Rebel Alliance]]. He threatens [[Princess Leia|Princess Leia Organa]] ([[Carrie Fisher]]) with the destruction of her home planet, [[Alderaan]], if Leia does not reveal the location of the Rebel main base of operations. When Leia names the planet [[Dantooine]] as the base's location, he destroys Alderaan regardless, hoping to make an example out of the planet's support of the Rebellion. Upon learning that Leia's coerced information was false, Tarkin orders Leia's execution.

He allows the Rebels to escape the Death Star with Leia after placing a tracking beacon on the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' in order to find the Rebel base. He orders the Death Star to destroy the Rebel base on [[Yavin 4]]. In the film's climax, Tarkin refuses to believe that the Death Star is in danger from the Rebel starfighter attack; as a result, he refuses to evacuate. He is subsequently killed by [[Luke Skywalker]] ([[Mark Hamill]]), who succeeds in destroying the Death Star by firing torpedoes into the exhaust port. Tarkin is last seen deep in thought seconds before the Death Star explodes.

====''Revenge of the Sith'' (2005)====
At the end of ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'', the final film in the [[Prequel trilogy (Star Wars)|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]], a younger version of Tarkin, played by [[Wayne Pygram]], makes a [[cameo appearance]] overseeing the original Death Star's construction, standing beside Darth Vader ([[Hayden Christensen]]) and Emperor Palpatine ([[Ian McDiarmid]]).<ref name=EntertainmentCast>{{cite magazine|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|title=Should Star Wars: Rogue One resurrect Peter Cushing as Tarkin?|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/24/star-wars-rogue-one-peter-cushing-tarkin|access-date=August 24, 2015|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=August 24, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825223923/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/24/star-wars-rogue-one-peter-cushing-tarkin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=GuardianCast>{{cite news|last1=Child|first1=Ben|title=Star Wars: Rogue One 'to resurrect Peter Cushing via CGI', despite slipper issues |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/24/star-wars-rogue-one-to-resurrect-peter-cushing-via-cgi-despite-slipper-issues|access-date=August 24, 2015|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=August 24, 2015}}</ref>

====''Rogue One'' (2016)====
In the film ''[[Rogue One]]'' (which takes place just a week before the events in ''A New Hope''), [[Orson Krennic]] ([[Ben Mendelsohn]]), Director of Advanced Weapons Research for the Imperial Military, meets with Tarkin, who expresses his skepticism about Krennic's management of the Death Star project. Tarkin oversees the Death Star's first attack on the Rebellion when it is used to destroy the Holy City of the planet Jedha. Impressed, he congratulates Krennic before announcing that he is going to take command of the Death Star from that point on, pointing out security breaches that had occurred under Krennic's command (much to Krennic's chagrin). Later in the film, Tarkin is informed of a Rebel attack on Scarif, the planet where the plans to the Death Star are kept. He orders the jump to hyperspace to the planet, where an ongoing battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance rages. Tarkin has the Death Star target and destroy the Scarif base, killing Krennic, [[Jyn Erso]] ([[Felicity Jones]]), [[Cassian Andor]] ([[Diego Luna]]), and any other survivor of the ground battle.

===Television series===

====''The Clone Wars'' (2010–2013)====
In the animated television series ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', set during the events of the prequel trilogy, a younger Tarkin (voiced by [[Stephen Stanton]]) is depicted as a Captain and later an Admiral in the [[Galactic Republic]] Navy.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Christian|last=Blauvelt|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/02/17/star-wars-clone-wars-grand-moff-tarkin-exclusive-video/|title=Star Wars - The Clone Wars: Grand Moff Tarkin makes his debut!|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 19, 2011|archive-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219235248/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/02/17/star-wars-clone-wars-grand-moff-tarkin-exclusive-video/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the third season, Captain Tarkin and Jedi Master Even Piell (Blair Bess) are ambushed and attacked by [[Confederacy of Independent Systems|Separatist]] forces. Prisoners to the Citadel, Tarkin and Piell are freed from captivity by a rescue team. Initially pessimistic about being in enemy territory, Tarkin puts himself at odds with Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker ([[Matt Lanter]]), but their respective opinions of each other improve when each realizes that both know Supreme Chancellor Palpatine ([[Ian Abercrombie]]). During a skirmish, Tarkin fights and attempts to execute Citadel Warden Osi Sobeck ([[James Arnold Taylor]]), but fails when Sobeck swiftly retaliates and nearly kills him. However, Tarkin is rescued just in time by Anakin's Padawan [[Ahsoka Tano]] ([[Ashley Eckstein]]).

In the fifth season, Tarkin, now an admiral, suspects Ahsoka of masterminding a [[terrorist]] attack on the Jedi Temple, and attempts to have the Padawan arrested. After Ahsoka is recaptured, Tarkin requests that the Jedi Order expel her and turn her over to the Republic so she can receive more "impartial" judgement. The Jedi concede and Ahsoka is tried before a jury of senators, with Tarkin heading the prosecution while [[Padmé Amidala]] ([[Catherine Taber]]) heads the defense. Despite Padmé's impressive defense, Tarkin casts doubt by mentioning that Ahsoka had been seen with [[Dark Jedi]] [[Asajj Ventress]] ([[Nika Futterman]]). After Tarkin and Padmé's arguments conclude and the jury reaches a verdict that Palpatine is about to read, Anakin arrives with [[Barriss Offee]] ([[Meredith Salenger]]), the real mastermind of the attack.

====''Star Wars Rebels'' (2014–2018)====
In the television series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'', Tarkin (voiced once again by Stanton) starts off as Governor of the Outer Rim territories, including [[Lothal (Star Wars)|Lothal]], but eventually receives his Grand Moff title.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Get your exclusive first look at Grand Moff Tarkin on 'Star Wars Rebels'|url=http://community.ew.com/2015/02/03/tarkin-on-rebels-exclusive/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 10, 2015|date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207071847/http://community.ew.com/2015/02/03/tarkin-on-rebels-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref> He visits the planet Lothal to deal with its growing Rebel activity, and reprimands Minister Maketh Tua ([[Kath Soucie]]), [[Agent Kallus]] ([[David Oyelowo]]), and the Inquisitor for their repeated failures to stop the planet's [[Rebel Alliance|Rebel cell]]. Tarkin has the Inquisitor execute Commandant Aresko and Taskmaster Grint (both [[David Shaughnessy]]) for their inability to deal with the cell's leader, Jedi Knight [[Kanan Jarrus]] ([[Freddie Prinze Jr.]]). Later, Tarkin sets a trap for the Rebels and manages to capture Kanan during their mission to send a message through one of the planet's communication towers. The Rebels' message gets sent out, but Tarkin then orders the tower to be destroyed. Kanan is tortured by the Inquisitor and transported to the [[Mustafar]] system aboard Tarkin's [[Star Destroyer]]. During Kanan's rescue by Rebel forces, Tarkin's Star Destroyer is destroyed, and the Inquisitor is killed. On Lothal, Tarkin introduces Agent Kallus to Darth Vader ([[James Earl Jones]]).

Taking the loss of his Star Destroyer personally, Tarkin orders that Maketh Tua be brought before him for her failure to find the Lothal rebels. Knowing the true meaning behind the summoning after the deaths of Aresko and Grint, Tua attempts to defect to the rebellion, but she is killed by Vader and Kallus before she can leave Lothal. Tarkin later appears in the season three premiere where he meets with Governor Pryce (Mary Elizabeth Glynn) regarding the Lothal Rebels. He subsequently grants her request for use of the Seventh Fleet, commanded by [[Grand Admiral Thrawn]] ([[Lars Mikkelsen]]). Tarkin appears via hologram in the season three finale, being briefed on Thrawn's imminent attack on Atollon to stymie a coordinated Rebel attack on Lothal. Towards the end of season four, he warns Thrawn that he must prove the worth of his [[TIE Fighter|TIE Defender]] program, Thrawn's prototype design of a new Imperial Star Fighter, or it will be shut down in favor of diverting resources to Krennic's "Stardust project" - which would eventually become the Death Star.

====''Star Wars: The Bad Batch'' (2021–2024)====
Tarkin (voiced again by Stanton) appears in the [[Disney+]] series ''[[Star Wars: The Bad Batch]]'', set between the events of ''The Clone Wars'' and ''Rebels''. In the premiere episode, "Aftermath", Admiral Tarkin arrives on [[Kamino (Star Wars)|Kamino]] to discuss with Prime Minister [[Lama Su]] if the Empire should continue to produce [[clone troopers]], noting that conscripted soldiers would be less expensive.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schaefer|first=Sandy|date=May 4, 2021|title=Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Season 1, Episode 1, 'Aftermath' Recap & Spoilers|work=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-bad-batch-recap-spoilers-season-1-episode-1/|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505044936/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-bad-batch-recap-spoilers-season-1-episode-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> He later evaluates Clone Force 99, a group of genetically enhanced clone troopers also known as the Bad Batch, through a battle simulation. While impressed by their extraordinary skills, he also notices disobedience in them.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=David|date=2021-04-05|title=Every Star Wars Character Returning In The Bad Batch|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-bad-batch-characters-returning-confirmed/|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145748/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-bad-batch-characters-returning-confirmed/|url-status=live}}</ref> He then dispatches them to the planet of [[Onderon]] to eliminate a group of refugees led by [[Saw Gerrera]], as a test of their loyalty. When the Bad Batch disobeys orders, Tarkin has them arrested, but separates Bad Batch member Crosshair from the others after noticing that he is more loyal to the Empire. Tarkin has Kaminoan scientist Nala Se intensify the programming of Crosshair's inhibitor chip, turning him against his teammates, who escape Kamino.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Silliman|first=Brian|date=2021-05-04|title=The Premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Answers Burning Questions and Hurts Our Souls|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/star-wars-the-bad-batch-premiere-answers-questions-omega-crosshair|website=[[Syfy Wire]]|language=en-US|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508013936/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/star-wars-the-bad-batch-premiere-answers-questions-omega-crosshair|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tarkin is later promoted to Governor, and in the episode "Replacements", he puts Crosshair in charge of an "elite squad" of recruited soldiers, who are then sent to finish the mission the Bad Batch had abandoned. After the mission is successful, Tarkin sees potential for conscripts.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=Alex|date=May 14, 2021|title=The third 'Bad Batch' introduces an all-new 'Star Wars' monster|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewed/2021/05/14/star-wars-bad-batch-season-one-episode-three-recap-replacements/5096378001/|access-date=2021-05-15|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515005053/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewed/2021/05/14/star-wars-bad-batch-season-one-episode-three-recap-replacements/5096378001/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the episode "Return to Kamino", after most Imperial personnel are evacuated from Kamino, Tarkin orders Vice Admiral Rampart to destroy all settlements on the planet, wiping out most of the Kaminoan race.

In the series finale episode "The Cavalry Has Arrived", he went with Captain Bragg and the stormtroopers to find Dr. Royce Hemlock's base destroyed.

===Novels===
Tarkin appears in ''[[Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel]]'', the prequel novel to ''Rogue One'', where Tarkin forms a rivalry with Advanced Weapons Director Orson Krennic.

====''Tarkin'' (2014)====
''Star Wars: Tarkin'' explores the title character's origins, and chronicles how he meets and aligns himself with [[Emperor Palpatine]] and [[Darth Vader]] prior to the events of ''A New Hope''.<ref name="NYDN">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-tarkin-brings-empire-dark-heart-blog-entry-1.1997843 |title=REVIEW: ''Star Wars: Tarkin'' brings us into the Empire's dark heart |work=[[New York Daily News]] |first=Sean |last=Keane |date=November 3, 2014 |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223134040/https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-tarkin-brings-empire-dark-heart-blog-entry-1.1997843 |url-status=live }}</ref> The novel was one of the first four canon novels to be released in 2014 and 2015.<ref name="SW Adult"/> Tarkin's Star Destroyer, the ''Executrix'', is introduced; it later appears in ''Rogue One''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crouse |first=Megan |title=Star Wars: A Guide to the New Ships of Rogue One |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/star-wars/260806/star-wars-a-guide-to-the-new-ships-of-rogue-one |website=Den of Geek |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014181455/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/star-wars/260806/star-wars-a-guide-to-the-new-ships-of-rogue-one |url-status=live }}</ref> In the novel, he advocates for the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)#Tarkin Doctrine|Tarkin Doctrine]], a military system based on "the threat of force, rather than force itself". His philosophy becomes central to Imperial policy and earns him the position as the first Grand Moff in the Empire. (In the Galactic Empire, a "Moff" is the governor of a Sector, or subdivision of the Empire; a "Grand Moff" is the governor of an Oversector, a grouping of several Sectors.)

====''From a Certain Point of View'' (2017)====
In [[Glen Weldon]]'s [[short story]] "Of MSE-6 and Men", featured in the anthology ''[[From a Certain Point of View]]'', Tarkin is revealed to have been sleeping with the stormtrooper TK-421 during the events of ''A New Hope'', after capturing [[Leia Organa]], but before his armour was stolen by [[Luke Skywalker]] in order to rescue Organa.<ref name="TK-421">{{Cite web|url = http://www.scififantasynetwork.com/tarkins-gay-lover-star-wars-bizarre|title = Tarkin's Gay Lover: Star Wars Bizarre|date = May 31, 2021|access-date = February 8, 2022|archive-date = February 8, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220208155117/http://www.scififantasynetwork.com/tarkins-gay-lover-star-wars-bizarre/|url-status = live}}</ref>

===''Legends''===
With the 2012 acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] by [[The Walt Disney Company]], most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe material produced since the originating 1977 film ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' was rebranded as ''[[Star Wars Legends]]'' and declared [[Star Wars canon|non-canon to the franchise]] in April 2014.<ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line |publisher=StarWars.com |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="THR Legends">{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |last=McMilian |first=Graeme |title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830203115/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SW Legends">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page |website=[[StarWars.com]] |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044317/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''Legends'', Tarkin appears in several novels, including ''[[Death Star (novel)|Death Star]], [[Cloak of Deception]], [[Rogue Planet (novel)|Rogue Planet]]'' and ''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''. The original Marvel [[Star Wars (1977 comic book)|''Star Wars'' comic series]] features a powerful superweapon called "The Tarkin" after the late Grand Moff. His protegee and lover, Natasi Daala, is later featured as a frequent antagonist in novels set after his death.

[[West End Games]]' roleplaying material describes the "Tarkin Doctrine", which emphasizes ruling "through the fear of force, rather than force itself", and has been mentioned various other times in the ''Star Wars'' canon. He is also mentioned during the ''[[New Jedi Order]]'' novel series as having been present on [[Zonama Sekot]] with Anakin Skywalker. In the comics series ''Darth Vader and the Lost Command'', Tarkin is seen telling Vader of a missing convoy of Imperial craft and adds that his own son was in command of the convoy and is also missing.