Zam Wesell is a fascinating and mysterious character in the Star Wars universe, known for shape-shifting abilities and skilled work as a bounty hunter. This Clawdite mercenary gained notoriety for deadly efficiency, cunning nature, and a brief yet memorable alliance with Jango Fett, one of the most formidable bounty hunters in the galaxy. Zam’s appearance in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (portrayed by Leanna Walsman) highlighted the dangerous and deceptive world of bounty hunters operating during the final years of the Republic.
The Clawdite Bounty Hunter
Zam Wesell is a member of the Clawdite species, an alien race from the planet Zolan known for their unique ability to shape-shift. This biological trait allowed Clawdites to alter their appearance, mimicking the look of other humanoids, which made them ideal for infiltration and espionage. For a bounty hunter like Zam, this ability became her most powerful tool, allowing her to blend into different environments and assume new identities to deceive her targets or evade pursuit.
Shape-shifting came with a price, though. The transformation process caused physical pain, and extensive use of the ability could strain a Clawdite’s body. Despite this limitation, Zam mastered the skill, making her one of the most unpredictable bounty hunters in the galaxy. The capacity to change forms at will set her apart from other hunters, giving her an edge in missions where deception and stealth were essential.
Partnership with Jango Fett
Zam Wesell’s most significant partnership was with Jango Fett, who hired her to help with a critical mission: the assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala. This task was part of a much larger plot orchestrated by Count Dooku to destabilize the Galactic Republic and pave the way for the rise of the Sith. Jango, trusted by the Sith for his skills and loyalty, turned to Zam because of her reputation for getting results in high-stakes situations.
Together, Jango and Zam devised a plan to eliminate the senator while keeping their own involvement concealed. Zam’s role was to execute the assassination in a way that wouldn’t draw attention to them, allowing the plot to proceed without suspicion. Initially, she attempted to carry out the task by planting a bomb on Padmé’s starship, but the senator survived the attack.
Zam then made a second attempt using Kouhun worms, venomous creatures delivered by a remote droid to Padmé’s residence on Coruscant. This method was meant to keep the assassins at a safe distance while still accomplishing their goal. However, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker intervened, saving Padmé once again and setting off a high-speed chase across Coruscant’s skies.
The Chase Through Coruscant
After the second failed assassination attempt, Zam Wesell was pursued by the Jedi across the bustling skylanes of Coruscant. Piloting her airspeeder, she tried to shake off Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, using the chaotic city environment to her advantage. Her impressive flying skills were on full display as she navigated through crowded lanes and narrow gaps between towering buildings, hoping to escape the Jedi’s relentless pursuit.
Despite her best efforts, Anakin’s piloting skills and determination proved too much, and the chase ended when he leapt from his speeder onto hers, forcing them to crash into a busy nightclub. Inside the club, Zam attempted to use her shape-shifting ability to blend into the crowd, but the Jedi quickly found her and captured her.
Interrogation and Betrayal
Once in Jedi custody, Zam Wesell was interrogated by Obi-Wan and Anakin, who wanted to know who had hired her to kill Senator Amidala. Under pressure, she revealed that Jango Fett was her employer, but before she could provide more details, Jango silenced her from afar. Using a Kaminoan saberdart, he killed Zam with a single shot to prevent her from exposing the larger conspiracy involving the Sith.
Zam’s sudden death served as a grim reminder of the ruthlessness within the bounty hunting world and the secrecy that surrounded those higher up the chain of command. Her loyalty to Jango and her involvement in the assassination plot ultimately cost her life, showing the dangers of working for powerful and shadowy figures like the Sith.
Skills and Weaponry
Zam Wesell’s skills as a bounty hunter extended far beyond shape-shifting. She was a skilled marksman, proficient in the use of blaster pistols and long-range weapons. Her preferred weapon was a modified KYD-21 blaster pistol, a lightweight, high-precision firearm suited for quick, efficient kills. Additionally, she was adept at setting traps and using various tools and explosives to take down her targets from a distance, as seen in her attempts to assassinate Padmé Amidala.
Her tactical mind was evident in her choice of unconventional methods, such as using Kouhun worms, which allowed her to avoid direct confrontation while still achieving her objectives. This strategic thinking set her apart from more brute-force bounty hunters, making her a versatile and dangerous opponent.
Her combat skills weren’t limited to ranged attacks; Zam was also capable of holding her own in hand-to-hand combat. Though she was primarily known for stealth and subterfuge, Zam could engage in close-quarter fights when necessary, utilizing her agility and reflexes to gain the upper hand in tight situations.
The Role of Shape-Shifting
Zam’s shape-shifting ability remained her most dangerous weapon. As a Clawdite, she could change her appearance to look like almost any humanoid species. This skill made her the perfect infiltrator, allowing her to adopt the identity of her target’s allies, servants, or even civilians. She could move undetected through high-security environments, blending in with the surroundings until the perfect moment to strike.
However, shape-shifting was not without its limitations. Clawdites could not change their body mass, which meant that their transformations were primarily superficial. Despite this, Zam used her ability to great effect, regularly escaping capture by changing her form and disappearing into crowds. This ability also made her a highly sought-after bounty hunter for jobs requiring stealth and deception.
