In recent years, the Star Wars franchise has been flooded with new material ranging from new movies to games, and even shows. In February 2020, Disney released the seventh – and final – season of the fan favorite show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. One of arcs in the show revolved around Clone Force 99, also known as the Bad Batch. This team is comprised of elite clone troopers known for their unorthodox tactics, stubborn independence, formidable combat skills, and their distinct personalities.
This team quickly won the hearts of Star Wars fans, and many fans wondered if there would be any follow-up material on this impressive unit. To everyone’s pleasant surprise, in July 2020, Disney announced a series of shows, including the Bad Batch show, and announced the show’s release date of May 4th, 2021 in February. In March, the show’s trailer was revealed, giving fans a solid idea of what to expect. Produced by Dave Filoni, who also directed the show, the show will explore the Bad Batch’s adventures and missions during the ushering of a dark era for the galaxy – the end of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Galactic Empire. The first season is expected to have 14 episodes, and the premiere episode will be 70 minutes long.
When I watched Season 7 of The Clone Wars, I was immediately thrilled by the Bad Batch. Their confident swagger, combined with their cool, collected approach to taking down even the toughest enemies, left a lasting impression on me as the coolest unit ever! When I saw the trailer, I was going crazy with joy! Dave Filoni has always been known for bringing in lots of famous characters together, and this show was no exception. I was absolutely thrilled to see the sights of characters such as the cruel, ruthless Grand Moff Tarkin, the ever-beloved Captain Rex, the mysterious yet popular bounty hunter Fennec Shand (who made her debut appearance in The Mandalorian), and radical anarchist Saw Gerrera.
Last but not least, I was excited to see the appearance of a brand new character, Omega, who was a kid who seemed to be enamored with Clone Force 99. She won my heart with her genuine interest and fascination, and I was completely blown away at her amazing fighting skills. As someone who looked up to a young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace when I was little, I felt the same inspiration I had so many years earlier.
May 4th isn’t just a special day because of when the Bad Batch show kicks off. It’s also known as Star Wars Day due to a pun on a very famous Star Wars line (“May the 4th be with you”). It will truly be the perfect start to this perfect show!
The Roar 