Bodie Taylor


Bodie Tihoi Huitoroa-Taylor, born in 1976, is the actor who played the part of Jango Fett's clones in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, specifically when the clones were the same age as Jango in his twenties. In addition, he took on the role of a clone trooper from the 212th Attack Battalion without a helmet in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Similarly to the other unhelmeted clone roles played by Temuera Morrison, Bodie was outfitted in a blue suit that was later replaced digitally with clone armor created by computer graphics.

Biography

Before his involvement in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Bodie Taylor had no prior experience acting in front of a camera. Before his Star Wars role, Bodie participated in Ahorangi 2000, a Māori cultural performance of kapa haka. He and Tupoutahi Winitana, an 11-year-old co-performer who was the main character in the production and the son of the director/producer, were approached by Temuera Morrison and a casting director representing Lucasfilm Ltd. while performing in Hamilton, New Zealand. They were asked to audition for the parts of younger versions of the clones. During the audition process, they were filmed and photographed striking threatening poses with traditional Māori weaponry, including the taiaha, and demonstrating the Māori martial art known as Mau rākau. They were both informed after the audition that they had been chosen to appear in Attack of the Clones. Winitana's parents declined his role in the film due to scheduling conflicts between the filming of Attack of the Clones and the tour dates for Ahorangi 2000. Consequently, Daniel Logan was eventually cast in his place. Because his role was less significant, Taylor was able to leave the production.

After his work on Star Wars, Taylor secured several roles in film and television productions in New Zealand, including Bro-tour.com, a Māori Television program. In this show, he and his friend Mike Jonathan traveled the globe, meeting notable Māori individuals residing abroad, such as Rena Owen.

Notes and references

  • Bodie Taylor at the Internet Movie Database
  • Bodie Taylor (@tuatoatanga) on Instagram (backup link (tuatoatanga) not verified!)

Appearances