Appearing as one of three beasts set loose in the Genosian arena to kill Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padmé Amidala at the climax of Attack of the Clones, the nexu is genuinely threatening, very ugly, and is ultimately a new kind of Star Wars creature. Primarily feline with its speed, claws, and climbing ability, the nexu also brings in visual elements of rodents with a hairless tail, and ups the creepy quotient with four eyes and a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth. Before the nexu, most Star Wars creatures were hulking and slow; this smaller, quicker, more animal-like creature brought a faster, eye-level element to monsters in the saga.
