Barret Wallace

Barret Wallace is one of the main characters in Final Fantasy VII. He is the leader of an eco-group called AVALANCHE, located in Midgar. He is sometimes criticized as being a stereotype of African-Americans, with his manner of speech and action rooted in the same vein as popular television icon Mr T.

Final Fantasy VII
Barret is the leader of AVALANCHE, an eco-group trying to prevent Shin-Ra from using Mako, the planet's life source, as a form of energy.

Barret grew up in the small, coal mining village of Corel. He advocated co-operation with Shin-Ra in building a Mako reactor into Corel to his friend, Dyne. They succeded and the reactor was built. However, after an explosion at the reactor, Corel was burnt down by the Shin-Ra corporation, killing his wife. He and Dyne were not in the village at the time and when they were returning they were attacked by Shin-Ra troops. Barret survived, however Dyne had fallen off a cliff.

Assuming Dyne was killed, he adopted Marlene, Dyne's daughter. He goes to Midgar and has a gun grafted to his arm and looks to seek revenge on Shin-Ra.

During the game Barret sees Dyne again at the Desert Prison, the old Corel. Dyne is mad at Barret and a battle ensues. Dyne want's to kill Marlene, because he wanted her to be with her mother in the lifestream. Barret Informs Dyne that she is safe with him. After the battle, Dyne is content and asks Barret to give a pendant to Marlene, which was his wife's memento. Dyne then throws himself off of a cliff (most likely to be with his wife) and most probably dies.

Advent Children
Barret has been confirmed for the computer-generated imagery movie Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. His exact role is unknown. However we know some information. He has left Marlene in the care of Tifa and has gone searching the Planet for a new energy source. It has also been confirmed that the function of his right hand has changed.

Update: Barret appears in the movie for a brief period of time near the ending. During this sequence all of the Final Fantasy VII characters show up and help Cloud fight a battle. The battle is against Neo Bahamut and needless to say, is completely awesome. Barret still uses his gun on his right hand as a weapon.