While cloning has been a possibility in the real world ever since scientists made a breakthrough with Dolly the Sheep (via National Museum of Scotland), they have yet to replicate that success with humanity. However, recent cinematic franchises have put the concept front and center, either paying homage to classic science fiction or perhaps moving along their respective narratives in a fresh and unpredictable manner.
Whether it's in major space battles or perhaps comedy-driven sitcoms, the concept of cloning has been utilized in plenty of settings. It continues to draw in the audience, as the philosophical consequences of recreating a fellow human can cause all kinds of character-based conflicts.
From Attack Of The Clones to The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, the cloning process is front and center in Star Wars. There's a whole conflict named after the mysterious army of Jango Fett copies that were secretly commissioned by Palpatine himself.
The clones hold such an integral role in the galaxy far, far away, becoming instrumental not only in the battle against the Separatists, but ultimately in carrying out Order 66. One of the most significant plot threads here though is the fact that the clones are still treated with individual personalities.
A hugely underrated series, Orphan Black sees Sarah Manning uncover multiple versions of herself. Finding out that she's the center of a clone conspiracy, the series takes audiences on a journey as multiple iterations of the same character are introduced from a variety of backgrounds.
The show steps from a mystery thriller into the realms of science-fiction and the performance of Tatiana Maslany is sensational. The tropes of the genre ensue, from surprising clone swaps to conversations surrounding identity and belonging. It also spirals even into the realms of body modification and mutation.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom introduced cloning to the series in the form of Maisie. While similar genetic science was utilized to bring the dinosaurs themselves to life, albeit with a little bit of hybrid experimentation to get the right look, in Maisie's case, she is a pure human clone.
Dominion pushed the idea further, exploring the background as to why Maisie was cloned in the first place and what implications that could have for the wider world. Ultimately, the Jurassic Park series itself wouldn't exist without the basis trope of cloning, from the DNA found with that initial mosquito.
A Netflix comedy series starring Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea, Living With Yourself was overlooked by many but was a surprisingly touching, and hilarious take on the cloning genre. Rudd's Miles wanted to lead a better life and thus goes on a trip to transform himself.
The procedure actually clones Miles, taking away his terrible traits so that the newer version of the character can live their best life. The problem is, the original Miles isn't disposed of. The series spirals into thrilling territory as the bizarre concept plays out the psychological and practical issues to their full extent.
DC Comics is no stranger to producing narratives with well-known science fiction arcs. Legends Of Tomorrow leaned into that with their original character Ava Sharpe. Once a leader of the Time Bureau, her reality comes crashing down when she learns the truth of her origin.
Created by Bishop, the Ava clone is one of millions, each one designed to carry out a specific task. However, the Avas that fans are introduced to have sentience and are able to make their own choices. Sharpe might have a fictional backstory and life, but the personality and moves she makes as a Legend are all authentically her own.
Every Alex Rider book brings something unique to the table and in Point Blanc, the character saw himself getting cloned. An academy for rich and troublesome boys is created, with the idea that they can be cloned and sent back into society, thus contributing to a network of powerful people.
The narrative was translated into the ongoing TV show, where the process of cloning Alex begins since Point Blanc is unaware that he isn't who he says he is. It's a thrilling combination of espionage and science fact turned up to eleven, in a way that only Anthony Horrowitz could pull off.
The Watchmen TV show stood in new territory, pushing the story of the comics in different directions. The fate of Ozymandias was one such area that fans were intrigued to learn about. It turns out that he'd spent some time trapped on a moon, creating clones for himself.
These clones served Adrian Veidt tirelessly but set up their own infrastructure as well, (including a court). While they were unhappy with how they were treated, considering he cared little for their lives, ultimately they were still subservient and were left behind once Ozymandias had escaped.
Topics like cloning are pretty common in Doctor Who since there are just so many episodes to watch through. Classic Who experienced the topic a handful of times, but more modern Doctors have met villains and heroes alike that were influenced by cloning in some capacity.
The Doctor's Daughter, for instance, was created partially through cloning methods. Or there's the Flesh, doppelgängers who are created as exact clones but serve as ways to protect the bodies of the originals. No matter the story, The Doctor always fights for clone rights and freedoms.
Logan is one of the most well-received entries into Wolverine's on-screen filmography as it finally adapted the Old Man Logan story in the comics, while bringing in the clone of Logan, X-23. While he considers her to be his daughter, she is also genetically based on Mutant X.
The story sees yet another clone of Logan brought in, who is an exact copy of the original. Compelling, violent, and emotionally charged, the film asks a lot of questions about what this means for the relationship between Laura and Logan, never treating her as a mere carbon copy as some clones are.
Pokémon has actually trodden a lot of ground when it comes to taking intriguing concepts from other genres. The villains of this universe are always looking to clone the most powerful Pokémon so that they can take control of them for their own nefarious desires.
This has famously worked a single time, with Mew getting cloned for Mewtwo. While the assumption was that this experiment could be controlled, in actual fact Mewtwo became the most unpredictable being in the universe, powerful beyond belief and capable of complete thought.
These films and TV shows have worked cloning into their plots!George Chrysostomou