Credit: Lucasfilm**SPOILERS Ahead For The Bad Batch Episode 11 (“Devil’s Deal”)**
In this week’s episode of Dave Filoni’s Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Clone Force 99 — Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and female first-generation Jango Fett clone, Omega — barely appeared.
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In fact, we only saw the elite squad of clone troopers in one scene — when one of their mercenary missions for Cid (Rhea Perlman) saw them delivering arms to Twi’Lek Gobi Glie (Corey Burton), who was accompanied by a young version of fan-favorite Star Wars Rebels character, Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall).
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Hera’s return to the Star Wars universe in this Ryloth-centric episode was a huge treat for Rebels fans, and seemingly set up a lot more of the Ghost ship pilot in the future.
It’s obvious that Bad Batch creator and Mandalorian executive producer Dave Filoni is introducing an ever-increasing number of animated characters into the live-action Star Wars canon. During The Mandalorian Season 2, for example, we saw Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) make her live-action debut — and Corvus Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) named Grand Admiral Thrawn as her master.
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Dawson herself has indicated that Rebels character Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar in Rebels) may be appearing in a live-action series, and we are almost certain to see Jedi Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray in Rebels) in Mandalorian spinoff, Ahsoka.
We also just saw Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) in The Bad Batch Episode 1 (“The Aftermath”). Although Jarrus died in Rebels, it is quite possible we could see a flashback scene featuring him, as he and Hera ultimately have a son together, Jacen Syndulla, whose story has barely been explored.
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With rumors abounding that another Mandalorian spinoff, Rangers of the New Republic, is currently being reworked to feature Syndulla instead of scrapped character Cara Dune (Gina Carano), it seems all but certain that we’ll see the Twi’Lek pilot in “real life” sooner rather than later.
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And, Star Wars fans can’t wait. In fact, some fans have been taking to social media to share their thoughts about who should play Hera Syndulla when she makes her first live-action appearance.
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Steven wants to see Dominque Tipper (The Expanse, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) take on her first role in the Star Wars franchise:
We’re so close to live action Hera Syndulla. So close! So, I want to hear casting choices, people. Who would you like to cast as Hera “best pilot in the galaxy don’t @ me” Syndulla?
Mine would be… Dominique Tipper!
We’re so close to live action Hera Syndulla. So close! So, I want to hear casting choices, people. Who would you like to cast as Hera “best pilot in the galaxy don’t @ me” Syndulla?
Mine would be… Dominique Tipper! pic.twitter.com/bAr5y7rLiS
— Steven (@StevenSankey88) March 3, 2021
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Meanwhile, Alexis Nedd would love to see The Umbrella Academy’s Emmy Raver-Lampman take on the role of Syndulla:
If Hera Syndulla is really coming to the Mando universe (just a rumor but I’m having fun) may I make one small casting suggestion….
If Hera Syndulla is really coming to the Mando universe (just a rumor but I’m having fun) may I make one small casting suggestion…. pic.twitter.com/yCd5TSkX2T
— alexis nedd – DON’T HATE THE PLAYER out now ? ? (@alexisthenedd) March 2, 2021
Bryan Shumate would love to see A-lister Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider, Maleficent, Girl, Interrupted, Changeling) become part of the Star Wars story:
Dream Casting…Christian Bale as Thrawn, Angelina Jolie as Hera Syndulla, Mena Massoud as Ezra Bridger, Naomi Scott as Sabine Wren, and maybe Jacob Tremblay as Jacen Syndulla….C’mon guys…this has to happen…
Dream Casting…Christian Bale as Thrawn, Angelina Jolie as Hera Syndulla, Mena Massoud as Ezra Bridger, Naomi Scott as Sabine Wren, and maybe Jacob Tremblay as Jacen Syndulla….C'mon guys…this has to happen…
— Bryan Shumate (@bshu89) November 16, 2020
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Although Anthony Hortin didn’t provide his own casting suggestion, he, too, is hoping that Hera’s return in The Bad Batch signals her live-action debut, perhaps in reported Rebels sequel, Ahsoka:
Was good seeing a young Hera Syndulla and Chopper on this weeks The Bad Batch. Would love to see Hera and Sabine show up in the live action Ahsoka series #TheBadBatch #StarWarsRebels
Was good seeing a young Hera Syndulla and Chopper on this weeks The Bad Batch. Would love to see Hera and Sabine show up in the live action Ahsoka series #TheBadBatch #StarWarsRebels
— Anthony Hortin ︽✵︽ (@maddisondesigns) July 9, 2021
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Star Wars fan account, Star Wars Universe, shared thoughts about the potential for a live-action meeting of Omega and Hera in the future. This could possibly even happen in The Mandalorian’s “next chapter”, The Book of Boba Fett, this December:
It was great seeing a young Hera Syndulla woven into the story of The Bad Batch & meeting Omega. Perhaps this means they will meet again in the future in one or more of the live action series as older versions of themselves.
*SPOILER ALERT*
It was great seeing a young Hera Syndulla woven into the story of The Bad Batch & meeting Omega. Perhaps this means they will meet again in the future in one or more of the live action series as older versions of themselves.#TheBadBatchhttps://t.co/zzpkhZrWZx
— Star Wars Universe ? #FireKathleenKennedy (@TheStarWarsUniv) July 9, 2021
Where are you hoping to see Hera Syndulla in live-action first — The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian Season 3, or another Star Wars show?