Pretty much every Star Wars fan was expecting the next animated Disney+ series to get announced to be the long-awaited sequel to Star Wars: Rebels. Just about every fan was surprised when it got announced the new animated series, releasing 2021, as The Bad Batch, focusing on the titular group seen in The Clone Wars' final season, also known as Clone Force 99.
The announcement drew confused, excited, and even some deflated responses. There is definitely a lot to get excited about with the show, but at the same time, some fans have reason to be worried about this choice by Lucasfilm, even if any Star Wars is good.
Worried - Why This Story So Soon?
The seventh and final season aired mere months ago, with the Bad Batch kicking off that season with a four-episode arc centering around the group, and their soon to be fifth member, Echo.
So, that begs the question, why so soon? Many fans are still recovering from how emotionally draining The Clone Wars finale was; having what is effectively Clone Wars-adjacent content, this soon seems like it an odd move.
Excited - Dave Filoni, Kevin Kiner, & The Rest Of The Crew
Then again, with Dave Filoni involved in the project, it is hard to feel disappointed by the news of a new animated show related to The Clone Wars.
There is no doubt that, despite his different role with the show as an executive producer, he has a story in mind. On top of that, with Kevin Kiner on board to produce more excellent music, presumably, the brilliant Dee Bradley Baker reprising his roles, and Athena Portillo, Brad Rau, Jennifer Corbett, Carrie Beck, and Josh Grimes (all from the various Star Wars shows) in producer roles, it bodes well.
Worried - A Lot Of Pressure & Fans Wanted Other Shows
One thing that has become clear over the past few years is that when Star Wars fans do not have their expectations or desires fulfilled, it can often mean trouble.
Most fans got locked into the idea that the Rebels sequel was next, and nobody really asked for a Bad Batch story, even if it is going to be fantastic. That puts a lot of pressure on the show to deliver and meet many fan's expectations, even if it is unfair.
Excited - Other Characters Who Could Appear
It would likely hurt not only this show but others as well should The Bad Batch choose to focus too much on characters like Ahsoka, who seem to be popping up everywhere. But, the potential for other character roles in this show is phenomenal.
Imperials, Inquisitors, clones, Jedi, bounty hunters, Hondo Onaka, the potential for well known and new characters to have recurring or even regular, well done, well-balanced roles in this show is high and will likely be a highlight.
Worried - What If It Does Not Draw A Lot Of People In?
Going back to the issue of fans wanting other shows, it is a situation along the same lines as when Solo got announced as the second Star Wars story. Fans did not ask for it, and as great and fun as it is, most fans did not go to see it, halting the production of those films.
Since fans have been vocal about a lot of the series they want, it raises the question as to whether or not this will be another Solo. With Filoni and animation's track record, it is unlikely, but should most fans not tune in; it will likely mean trouble.
Excited - Mercenary Missions
As mentioned earlier, the show has a lot of potential for beloved characters to pop up, and one of the biggest reasons why this is so likely is because the press release detailed that the group will be going on mercenary missions.
That sounds excellent, seeing these unique clones on various missions, running into various criminals who have become adored by the fandom, or even new characters introduced for the missions.
Worried - The Bad Batch Arc Was Not The Best
The Bad Batch arc opened up the final season of The Clone Wars and was really good if not great most of the way through. However, it was not anywhere near the best that The Clone Wars has to offer.
It once again goes back to the point of purpose and what the point in this show existing is. While that may be too much thinking and not enough enjoying, one has to wonder why this arc and these characters merited their own show.
Excited - Early Transition From Republic To Empire
Since fans have not gotten a look at the Galaxy in an in-depth way this close to the events of Revenge Of The Sith and the Clone War, it presents some great potential for the show, with it taking place immediately after.
Seeing how quickly and severely the democratic Republic transitions to the tyrannical Galactic Empire will be great, and from a character standpoint, seeing how the clones get phased out of use in favor of stormtroopers will be likewise.
Worried - Too Much Clone Wars & Post-Order 66?
It has gotten brought up already that the Bad Batch arc and the final season of The Clone Wars just aired and finished, and so this story is coming awfully quickly afterward.
Couple that with the potential style and feel of the show, as well as the rumored and probable characters who will appear, and you have to wonder if this will be too much Clone Wars related content. It seems hard to imagine, but it is possible fans get sick of seeing the same people and the same thing over and over again, especially with characters like Ahsoka popping up all over the place.
Excited - The Purpose Of The Clones In A New Galaxy
In the same vein, though, The Clone Wars was phenomenal, with a standout aspect of the beloved show being the clones themselves and their growth, as they get shown to be individuals with distinctive personalities and features, not numbers.
Seeing how not only the Bad Batch cope in this new Galaxy and find themselves a role and purpose in it, but other clones who lived to see the Empire like Cody, Neyo, Bacara, etc. and how they coped is something for which fans are incredibly excited.