Star Wars has always quietly been about the droids. R2-D2 might as well be the protagonist of the Skywalker saga, and BB-8 is probably the least controversial figure in the sequel trilogy. They’re often unsung heroes, but from repairs to starfighter dogfights, nothing could ever get done without them. Another invaluable droid that has made quite an impression on Star Wars fans is C1-10P, affectionally known as Chopper.
The orange and white C1 model was first introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels. During the highly successful series’ four seasons, Chopper was the resident droid on the Ghost and was an integral part of Hera Syndulla’s rebel cell. Chopper was kind of a cranky and chaotic droid that didn’t always want to be cooperative – which made for good comedic relief – but he was ultimately loyal and heroic.
Chopper has been shown primarily during the time known as the Rise of the Empire, which is in between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. In terms of years, that falls between 19 and 0 BBY. Star Wars has a lot of projects centered around that era, and as such, Chopper has made appearances in a number of those stories. Chronologically, Chopper first shows up on screen in 19 BBY during the recent Star Wars: The Bad Batch series. In Episodes 11 and 12, “Devil’s Deal” and “Rescue on Ryloth,” respectively, Chopper was given a backstory on Ryloth along with his owner, a young Hera Syndulla.
Star Wars Rebels, however, was where Chopper was most featured. After being introduced in the show’s premiere, he appeared in almost every episode and was a crucial part of uniting the various rebel cells into the Rebel Alliance. That series was set between 5 and 1 BBY, and it did a great job of connecting the prequel and original trilogies. It also set up a lot of Star Wars' future.
The fan-favorite droid was not just shown in animation, though. Chopper got to cameo in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Evidently, Chopper and the Ghost crew’s efforts were quite successful because by the year 0 BBY, the Rebellion had grown considerably. Their secret base was on Yavin 4 at that point, and by then, they could start to pose a united front against the Empire.
Chopper’s appearance came at the hour and 35-minute mark. Mon Mothma was conversing with a pair of other leaders when a communications technician came running up to the senator to inform her of the unsanctioned Rebel attack on Scarif Base. It’s during that scene that Chopper can be seen briefly in the bottom left of the screen.
That was not the only Star Wars Rebels Easter egg in the movie either. At the hour and 19-minute mark, “General Syndulla” can be heard over the intercom at the Yavin 4 base. Hera had been given the rank of general by then, so that is clearly a reference to her. On top of that, the Ghost can be seen at the 17-minute mark on Yavin 4 and again during the Battle of Scarif at the hour and 37-minute mark. Presumably, Hera was piloting and Chopper was onboard, and it would be fitting for Hera to have participated in the first major battle where the Rebels faced the Empire as an Alliance.