Captain Rex debuted a new helmet design in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, with the distinctive hybrid headgear a combination of previous versions.
The LEGO Group has just officially revealed two new additions to its LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection in the shape of 75349 Captain Rex Helmet (854 pieces) and 75350 Clone Commander Cody Helmet (766 pieces). The prequel trilogy-era designs echo those seen in the hit animated series, Star Wars: The Clone wars, and both will release on March 1, 2023, priced at £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99.
For 75349 Captain Rex Helmet, the company chose to focus on the later look of the character’s distinctive headgear, which first appeared in Season 4 of the show in 2011. That version of the ARC Clone Trooper’s helmet combined elements from the older Phase I Attack of the Clones-style design with the appearance of the revised Phase II helmets that debuted in Revenge of the Sith. The T-shaped visor of Rex’s new helmet used the existing visor design as a base, but retained the old proportions, requiring some elements to be lowered in order to make everything fit.
Dave Filoni created an in-universe backstory for Captain Rex’s updated helmet design, suggesting that the character’s uniqueness was visible in his armour, which essentially welded together a hybrid version of both styles. Filoni believed that Rex’s revised helmet design was indicative of the character’s distrust of new armour and that the ‘hodgepodge of old gear and new gear’ demonstrated that with ‘classic stuff, the craftsmanship is a little better.’
In addition to tally marks representing kills, Rex’s updated helmet features distinctive blue Jaig Eyes – a pair of shriek-hawk markings. The Mandalorian sigil was bestowed on clan leaders as a sign of honour and were awarded to soldiers who had managed to distinguish themselves in battle. Jaig Eyes were first painted onto an early version of Boba Fett’s helmet by Joe Johnson, whilst The Empire Strikes Back was in production.
To take a deeper dive into the upcoming 75349 Captain Rex Helmet and 75350 Clone Commander Cody Helmet sets, be sure to head on over to our sister site, Brick Fanatics.
Images: Star Wars / Brick Fanatics
