There are on Star Wars movies in active development. Obi-Wan Kenobi was soundly beaten in ratings by Stranger Things. The fandom seems in a funk. How can it be repaired?
As we’re finding out that even by its third episode, Obi-Wan Kenobi had failed to reach the billion minutes watched mark that separates popular streaming shows from blockbuster streaming shows, one writer here at That Park Place, Lorn Conner, is diving deep into how to repair the franchise. For comparison, Stranger Things’ Season Four episodes even before the finale were doing more than seven times the watch participation of Kenobi. How can Lucasfilm perhaps flip that situation in the future?
This is the second in a series of articles outlining ways in which Lucasfilm could try to move forward with Star Wars, repairing some of the damage that has been done over the last 10 years. It’s a rough outline that could be used to try and heal some of the divisions in the fanbase. My last article focused on restoring the Sith Kings of the Old Republic era (giving the casual audience an introduction into Sith culture and society). This article jumps forward in time to one of the most well-trod eras of Star Wars history, but also one with one of the most frustrating holes – The Clone Wars.
You could use some Bacta, Delta
In 2005, Lucasarts published Republic Commando – a squad-based shooter that was ahead of its time, that ended with a cliffhanger that to this day has not been resolved. On release, the game promised a sneak peak at Kashyyyk and some of the characters that would be introduced in Revenge of the Sith. Despite a somewhat troubled development, the game was a qualified hit, and introduced us to a group of Clone Commandos. The members of Delta Squad were variations of the standard Jango Fett template – far more independent, and specializing in a particular area of warfare. These were the clone special forces, bred for covert operations behind enemy lines – a four-man squad that packed the punch of an infantry battalion. Republic Commandos became an instant hit, and made cameo appearances in The Clone Wars animated series, and were clearly the inspiration behind The Bad Batch – characters with very similar backstories introduced in the final season of that show.
Recently spun off into their own show, they encountered Republic Commandos multiple times in the first season, and ultimately discovered Palpatine’s secret cloning facility on Wayland. (Yes, I know they changed the spelling in the show. No, I will not use it.) If Disney is wise, they can parlay these plot points in two different ways:
First – at the climax of the Republic Commando video game, squadmember Sev (the dour sniper of the group) was captured by enemy forces before the remaining Commandos were ordered off Kashyyyk to rush back to Coruscant as the Separatist invasion began. His fate was never revealed. Recent comments by Temura Morrison indicate that he will be voicing more characters in future games. While these are likely Boba/Mando spinoffs, a sequel to Republic Commando would satisfy long pent-up consumer demand, AND provide additional tie-ins to The Bad Batch.
Second – Wayland is a very important location in Star Wars history. If the rumors are true, and the live-actions shows are intended to culminate in a Thrawn story, it stands to reason that Thrawn will need to discover the location of Wayland. In Heir to the Empire, this was accomplished through a raid on the library world of Obroa-Skai. At the Mt. Tantiss cloning facility, he discovered Spaarti Cloning Cylinders, and the hand of Luke Skywalker – used to create the clone Luke. Also recovered was the original Skywalker Lightsaber. If Lucasfilm wants to mend fences, they must hew close to the original Heir to the Empire story. To do that, some clever retcons will be needed.
I believe of ultimate strategic interest to Thrawn will be the World Between Worlds, and the Mt. Tantiss cloning facility. If a second Republic Commando game were to be produced which revealed the fate of Sev, it’s possible that he may have been moved to the Mt. Tantiss facility, where he was modified like Echo, from the Bad Batch. The rescue could cause Delta Squad to go on the run, much like The Bad Batch soldiers, where years later their exploits could come to the attention of Thrawn. (Possibily in the rescue from the facility, they “liberated” some advanced technology recognizable to Thrawn, which were used in future exploits.)
For Lucasfilm to succeed in this new era, they will have to embrace synergy between their properties, without teasing TOO much. The shows and other projects can’t feel like commercials for the other shows and projects, and they can’t be too watered down. Throw the audience some red meat and they will respond. The original Republic Commando gave us a glimpse of Kashyyyk and the moments leading up to Episode 3. Republic Commando 2 could give us a campaign set in the aftermath of Episode 3 and Order 66, the rescue of Sev…and a flash forward years later to his capture by Thrawn, when the military genius returns to the galaxy. Instead of the raid of Obroa-Skai, the information Sev gives him could lead to him learning the location of Wayland and Mt. Tantiss – the first part of his plan to rebuild the Empire as a bulwark against the invasion of the Gryssk from the Unknown Regions.
But that’s just my theory – what’s yours?
Would you be interested in seeing a Republic Comamndo 2 game? Will we ever see Republic Commandos in live action? Is a tie to Wayland and Mt. Tantiss impossible? Let me know your thoughts below! Next Time – Return of the Jedi – sort of.
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