Star Wars: The Bad Batch Announced
The next animated Star Wars has been revealed.
It's been two months since the final episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired on Disney Plus. The animated series set in the Star Wars universe ran for seven seasons following a feature film. The show first aired on Cartoon Network for five seasons, then switched to Netflix for a sixth, and finally Disney Plus for its last outing. After the first six seasons of Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, a sequel series, ran on Disney XD for four seasons.
Recently, Disney Plus ordered another Star Wars animated series in the same vein as Clone Wars and Rebels, called Star Wars: The Bad Batch. The series is set to follow the titular team of clones introduced in the first story arc of Clone Wars Season 7 as they struggle to redefine themselves in the aftermath of Order 66.
Each member of the Bad Batch possesses a slight mutation from the cloning process, giving them a special ability. Hunter, the team's leader, has heightened senses, making him an excellent tracker. Wrecker, the team's big man, is the physically strongest clone in the Star Wars universe. Tech, the smartest member of the team, has a handle on all technological equipment he comes across. Crosshair, the team's marksman, is deadly with a rifle, never missing his shot.
Their Clone Wars story arc adds a fifth member to the Bad Batch, Echo. Originally a member of the Domino Squad, Echo seemed to be killed on a mission to the Separatist prison known as the Citadel during Season 3 of Clone Wars. However, Rex discovered he had survived the attack, and rescued a mutilated Echo from a Separatist base on the planet Skako Minor. After that mission, Echo joins up with the Bad Batch, since he is no longer a regular clone, or "reg."
Little is known about Star Wars: The Bad Batch, save the basic premise, a 2021 Disney Plus release date, and that Clone Wars and Rebels creator Dave Filoni will serve as executive producer. The final season of Clone Wars sets a high bar, but with Filoni's track record, The Bad Batch will hopefully be able to reach it.