Star Wars: The Bad Batch: All you need to know about the animated series

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away Star Wars vowed to never let the hype die. With sequels, prequels and animated series coming out every now and then, the Star Wars universe successfully pulls fans right back in. The latest addition to this list of movies and series is Star Wars: The Bad Batch. This animated series, which is a spin-off of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, has been created by Dave Filoni for Disney+ and will release on May 4. If you’re not caught up on all the action yet, we’ve got you! Here’s all you need to know about Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Who are The Bad Batch?

If The Mandalorian was too cutesy for you, you’re going to love this series. The Bad Batch is a team of misfit clone troopers - they’re defective clones with desirable mutations, as explained by Commander Cody in their first introduction. The team comprises gang-leader Hunter, the brains of the group Tech, strong and brawny Wrecker, skilled marksman Crosshair and the freshest recruit Echo.

A job needs to be done in the Galactic Empire? Well, The Bad Batch has a 100 per cent success rate. They’re reckless and impulsive but when they come together, they’re unstoppable.

What is the premise of The Bad Batch?

The teaser of this series made one fact evident - the plot will pick up right after the events of The Clone Wars. It is possible that the early years of the Empire’s rise to power will be delved into for the first time in the Star Wars universe. It is likely that the gang is on the run from the Empire, since they are Moff Tarkin’s targets.

Who is returning and who is not?

Moff Tarkin will return as the main antagonist for the series. The trailer begins with the Bad Batch stationed at a training facility that is probably on the Clone homeworld Kamino. Since Echo is a part of the group in this scene, it is confirmed that this is not a flashback. This scene most probably takes place near the end of The Clone Wars, if not much later. Tarkin is overlooking their training and is worried about The Bad Batch’s rising level of disobedience.

Joining Echo as a new character is Omega, a mystery child who has proved to be the biggest point of speculation for fans. Several theories have emerged around Omega, the leading one being that she is the female clone of Jango Fett. Other recurrent Star Wars characters who made an appearance in the trailer were clone trooper Commander Rex, Mercenary Fennec Shand, Saw Gerrera and fan favourite R2-D2.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is surely going to answer some lingering questions from the Star Wars universe. Voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, the Bad Batch gang can be caught in action in Star Wars: The Bad Batch from May 4, which is also Star Wars day. So sit tight, prepare for the journey of The Bad Batch and may the force be with you!