Although his screen time was quite brief, Chancellor Finis Valorum played a key role inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceas Palpatine’s last obstacle to becoming Supreme Chancellor himself. Queen Amidala famously heeded Palpatine’s advice to seek a vote of no confidence against Valorum in an effort to gain help for the people of Naboo.
Palpatine soon took Valorum’s place, and he all but disappeared from theStar Warsmythos - though not completely. After the sad passing of Valorum actor Terence Stamp, it’s certainly worth exploring what became of the Republic’s last chancellor prior to Palpatine’s unjust self-appointment as the galaxy’s emperor.
Chancellor Valorum Remained On Coruscant
After being voted out of office and replaced by Palpatine, Valorum remained on Coruscant, no doubt sticking with the life he had known even if he was no longer as active in the galaxy’s politics.Valorum, however, wasn’t completely absent from everything during the Clone Wars, as he once played a key role in a Jedi investigation.
Star Wars: The Clone Warsseason 6, episode 10 “The Lost One” sees Yoda visiting Valorum in the midst of the Jedi Council’s investigation into the fate of Master Sifo-Dyas, who was famously credited with hiring theKaminoans to create the clone army. After coming across a file sealed by Valorum’s office, Yoda seeks the former chancellor out himself.
Valorum is only able to provide scant details, due to the mysterious circumstances surroundingSifo-Dyas' fateand the passing of time since the Jedi’s disappearance. Still, however,he’s more than willing to help Yoda and the Jedi, proving that his faithfulness to the Republic remainedeven after his ousting from office.
Was Valorum A Secret Supporter Of The Rebellion?
Not much else is known about Valorum’s life, especially after the Clone Wars came to an end, but it’s possible he might have been a secret supporter of theRebel Alliance.Andorseason 1, episode 7 “Announcement” and episode 8 “Narkina 5” see Senator Mon Mothma hosting dinner parties, during whichValorum’s name comes up in background chatter.
It’s impossible to make out what’s being said about Valorum, buta mention of his name around someone like Mon, who was a key part of secretly building the Rebellion prior to its true establishment, could indicate that he was a potential supporter of whatever she was building. Given Valorum’s history with Palpatine, this would certainly make sense.
Either way, Valorum still has quite a legacy following his appearances inThe Phantom Menace. It may not be much, but it’s still enough to prove that Valorum left his mark on galactic history, just as Stamp’s legacy will always endure with his role inThe Phantom Menace.
