We are all aware that May the Fourth is international Star Wars day (for those of you who have managed to miss this I explain all below) and Disney Plus are using this to their full advantage by releasing the new animated series Star Wars’ The Bad Batch. But what is The Bad Batch and how does it fit in with the wider Star Wars universe? Keep reading to find out!
Why May the Fourth?
All the way back in 1979 Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of the UK on the 4th May and her political party created the pun ‘May the Fourth be with you’ as a combination of the date and the famous Jedi salutation ‘May the force be with you’ from the Star Wars movie which had been released in 1977. Not what you were expecting? Me either when I started researching this blog. Don’t worry that’s the last of the politics and nothing much happened after this until May 4th 2001 when a costume party and movie marathon was held at the Toronto Underground Cinema celebrating all things Star Wars. Since then May the Fourth as Star Wars day has grown in popularity with fans and across social media.
Where Does Star Wars’ The Bad Batch Fit in the Wider Franchise?
We first met the experimental clones of the Bad Batch in season 7 of the Clone Wars with The Bad Batch a sequel to this series. The timing’s fit after Episode III Revenge of the Sith (find out more about the Star Wars Timeline) and focuses on Clone Force 99’s adjustment to life in the Empire, where we also come across some other Clone Wars favourites including Grand Moff Tarkin (who also appears in numerous points throughout the Star Wars franchise), Rex and Saw Gerrera (also seen in Rogue One). We can also expect to see nods to The Mandalorian with early models of the Dark Troopers making an appearance as well as the inclusion of an animated version of Fennec Shand who is also expected to appear in the upcoming Boba Fett series (expected to be released in December 2021).
What Can we Expect from Star Wars’ The Bad Batch?
This 10 episode long series will start on May the fourth with a 70 minute special and follows the genetically mutated Clone Trooper known as the Bad Batch. The Bad Batch is made up of the following characters:
Team leader Hunter has exceptional senses and is the Tracker of the team.
Sniper Crosshair is the man to call if you need sharp vision, accuracy and on target results at distance.
Wrecker the, well, wrecker! Stronger than other clones meet the demolition expert.
Computer and weapons specialist Tech brings data analysis skills to the team and can solve any technical issue they come across.
Clone turned Cyborg Echo is the most recent recruit to the Bad Batch and he brings with him a knowledge of military tactics and strategy.
In this new series we see the Bad Batch on the run as the Republic transitions into the Empire which no longer has a need for their special talents. The show is set to answer questions such as how do the Bad Batch cope with the Clone Armies new allegiance to the Empire, how will they survive on their own and will they manage to avoid clashes within the unit?
I for one can’t wait to find out how the Bad Batch fair in this new world and will be keeping an eye out for any crossovers into the wider Star Wars Universe.
If you like this blog you may want to check out our Bad Batch range for Boys or our wider Star Wars Merchandise or read further with our Star Wars Timeline blog.
