Star Wars Bad Batch Season 2 Interview: The Empire Is Coming

Shows like Andor and The Mandalorian would possibly seize the headlines, however there’s one other large present presently going down in a galaxy far, far, away. Star Wars: The Bad Batch returns for season two on January 4, as soon as once more following a crew of specialised clones combating again towards the Empire that discarded them.

Season one ended with the Empire destroying the Clone dwelling on Kamino; in season two, Hunter, Echo, Wrecker, and Tech, together with their fellow clone Omega, are a crew and not using a dwelling. They should full harmful missions simply to remain alive, all whereas Emperor Palpatine and his evil Empire proceed to seize maintain of the galaxy.

To mark the event of season two, io9 spoke with Star Wars: The Bad Batch’s head author and government producer Jennifer Corbett in addition to government producer and supervising director Brad Rau in regards to the expectations and objectives going into this season. No spoilers right here.

Germain Lussier, io9: So once you started planning and prepping season two, what had been your large objectives and goals proper at the beginning?

Jennifer Corbett: I feel the large theme for this season is coming to a crossroads when it comes to all of the characters, and we discover that in varied episodes with varied factors of view. We wished to—because the Empire is rising and, as , different issues are altering all through the galaxy—see how that impacts the Batch and Omega, and each internally and externally.

Brad Rau: Also, we created a poster to provide to the followers at Star Wars Celebration and the tagline we placed on it was “Long road ahead.” We wished to see the Batch, all of them, together with Omega… they’re not dwelling excessive on the hog. They’re somewhat threadbare. They’re somewhat beat up. They’re attempting to remain off the Empire’s radar. They’re dwelling gig to gig. We wished to start out there and present no matter they do, it’s going to be robust journey. There’s undoubtedly much more to determine.

io9: Because you’re an animated present, not each episode is seeped with mythology. There are a lot of action-packed, side-mission episodes. Talk about the way you steadiness that over the course of the season—is there any type of particular ratio episode to episode? 

Corbett: I imply, it’s all about constructing the highway, basically, and having every little thing construct upon the opposite episodes. And it was all very intentional the place we’re getting in season two. But we needed to guarantee that we had episodes that explored some enjoyable and we had some journey. And additionally that gave us a possibility to discover our Batch extra and shine a light-weight on Tech and Echo and Wrecker and Hunter and actually type of enable them the chance to develop as particular missions type of relate to them. Whenever you cope with the Empire, it type of turns into an enormous factor. So we simply wished to ensure as we had been constructing to an even bigger story, we had different episodes that had been main in direction of that.

io9: Watching a bunch of those new episodes, I picked up what appeared to me like references from a ton of different popular culture—The Dark Tower, Indiana Jones, Godzilla—which is definitely a staple of Star Wars. Are these references deliberate or is it simply baked into you as filmmakers?

Corbett: Well, often earlier than the author’s convention, we have now pre-conference conferences the place we’re speaking in regards to the subsequent batch of episodes and the themes that we wish to hit and what are issues we haven’t explored but. What classes are they studying? So that’s talked about means upfront. But we pull inspiration from many motion pictures and plenty of TV reveals—and it’s additionally like, how can we make it completely different? And why is it serving our story?

io9: Obviously that is Star Wars so you’ll be able to’t and gained’t spoil something—however, at this second earlier than the season begins for followers, what do you hope they take away on the finish of the season?

Rau: You know, one factor that was actually enjoyable was to see by way of the season, our star of the present, Omega—to see her rising and studying, not simply mechanically, however failing. We did that rather a lot in season one, however we actually dig into how that works in season two. And, if we’re doing it proper, we see her arc proper in entrance of your eyes as an viewers by way of the motion she does, by way of the issues she says.

Corbett: I feel for me, it’s the concept if you happen to may also help somebody, you do it. Even although you’ll be able to’t save all people, you attempt to do your greatest. And I feel that’s a hopeful message for this present and simply hopefully the world normally. 

io9: Last factor. Do you two know, at this second, the place the Bad Batch is through the authentic trilogy? I’m not asking if we see it, simply if you happen to two know.

Corbett: [Laughs] That appears like a spoilery query.

Rau: We can’t give that away.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch returns for season two on January 4 with a two-episode premiere on Disney+/

Want extra io9 information? Check out when to anticipate the most recent Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and every little thing that you must learn about the way forward for Doctor Who.