Nute Gunray

Known for their exceptional organizational skills, ruthless Neimoidians play key roles within the hierarchy of the ominous Trade Federation. A Viceroy and member of the Trade Federation Executive Board, Nute Gunray wields great power in the galactic commercial arena. He directs the actions of the well-funded secret fleet of the Trade Federation armed forces, and knows a thing or two about deceit and murder. His usually avoids naked, open aggression, but that undergoes a change when he falls under the power of Darth Sidious and blockades and later invades Naboo.

The Neimoidians were initially designed to resemble the lean, wiry battle droids that they command in The Phantom Menace. The look was based on the assumption that the Neimoidians had created the droids in their own image. A last-minute design change resulted in the somewhat grotesque beings depicted in the final design of the characters. These changes allowed for the characters to be portrayed by live actors, rather than being entirely computer-generated.