Lucasfilm and Disney have announced that theClone Warsspin-off seriesStar Wars: The Bad Batchwill premiere on Disney Plus on May 4th, 2021. The second episode will then premiere on May 7, with subsequent episodes available on Fridays on a weekly basis.
The series will follow the exploits of Clone Force 99,an elite squad of Republic commandosbetter known asThe Bad Batch,as they make their way through the rapidly changing galaxy during the fall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the Empire. Each member of Bad Batch has a unique genetic mutation which gives them heightened abilities that are ‘desirable’ for the battlefield. When they first appeared in the originalClone Warsseries, Clone Force 99 is portrayed as rebellious and unconventional in their tactics, so it will be interesting to see how they adapt to a more authoritarian change in leadership.
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The Bad Batch first appeared in the seventh and final season ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars,which premiered on Disney Plus last year. During a four-episode arc, the elite squad was seen helping Captain Rex and Anakin Skywalker as they searched for their fallen comrade Echo, who was being used to predict republic battle strategies after being captured by the separatists. Dave Filoni will serve as an executive producer onThe Bad Batch,having previously worked on several otherStar Warstelevision shows, most notably in animation, including the originalClone Warsseries,Star War Rebels, andStar Wars Resistance.More recently, Filoni has served as an executive producer, writer, and director on the hit live-action Disney PlusseriesThe Mandalorian.
After the continued success ofThe Mandalorian,it seemsStar Warsmay have found a new homeon the small screen.The Bad Batchwas one of 11Star Warsshows recently announced during Disney’s Investor Day last year. This included twoMandalorianspin-off shows, a series focused on fallen Jedi Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawnson), and an Obi Wan Kenobi series in which Ewan McGregor will be reprising his role as the famous Jedi mentor.
The Bad Batchis set to premiere on May 4th, better known as “Star Wars Day.” Although it wasn’t officially created or declared by Lucasfilm, May 4th has become synonymous withStar Warsand is used by fans to celebrate the franchise. The date was chosen due to the pun on the catchphrase “May the Force be with you”, which is instead changed to “May theFourthbe with you.”
Disney and Lucasfilm have previously used the unofficial holiday to promote content. Last year, on May 4th, the final episode ofThe Clone Warspremiered on Disney Plus, as didThe Rise of Skywalker,the final chapter of the sequel trilogy.
Star Wars: The Bad Batchpremieres on Disney Plus on May 4th, 2021.
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