The Mandalorian’s sophomore season is almost upon us and if reports are any indication, it’s going to be good. However, we need to ask ourselves if the upcoming episodes will be too Skywalker Saga centric.
This is the way. The Mandalorian is coming back with full force and we’re all for it. Season 1 introduced us to Din Djarin, a lone Mandalorian warrior with zero ties to the Skywalker family. The standout star wasn’t Mando, but The Child or “Baby Yoda” as the media and fans have affectionately dubbed him. However, with new episodes, means new or already existing characters from previous media.
The first report we got was that Luke Cage star Rosario Dawson had been cast of Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan in the character’s live-action debut, according to The Verge.
Then, we got the surprise announcement (per Dork Side of the Force) that Temuera Morrison, who portrayed the clones Jango Fett and Commander Cody in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, would be returning to play either Boba Fett, Captain Rex or both.
Finally, we got a report that The Flash recurring guest star, Katee Sackhoff would be playing a live-action iteration of her animated The Clone Wars character, Bo-Katan Kryze via Deadline.
Don’t get us wrong. We love all these characters. Though, they all have ties to the Skywalker family in some way. We’re going to explore each in a bit more detail. Let’s begin with Ahsoka since she was the first one announced.
The Mandalorian Season 2 rumored new additions: Ahsoka Tano
She went from hated to beloved very quickly but from the beginning, it was obvious that Ahsoka was created to add an extra layer of depth to Anakin and his eventual fall to the dark side. Her departure from the Jedi Order ripped a hole in everyone’s hearts as she lost faith in the organization that raised her from a young age. Her leaving made her master question his own place as a guardian of the peace.
Season 7 of The Clone Wars showed what the former Jedi apprentice was doing before and during the early days of her master’s fall to the dark side. However, should she appear in The Mandalorian when there is has been no setup?
Sure, there has been speculation she might appear at some point, but remember, the show is about Din and Baby Yoda. If Ahsoka were to pop up, even in a cameo role, it would take away the true meaning of the story of the episode.
Now, Ahsoka is linked to the Skywalker Saga through Anakin since she was his student during the Clone Wars. She was also friendly with Padmé, Rex, and Obi-Wan, all of whom have links to the fallen Jedi Knight. It’s unclear whether she found out about Luke and Leia, but her master’s son, definitely knew about her since he wrote a passage about her in his field notes on Jedi history.
Tano also has a link to the two other characters on this list; Captain Rex and Lady Bo-Katan. What purpose could Ahsoka have if she were to show up? Could she illicit “parenting” advice to Mando for being the adoptive father of Baby Yoda? Maybe she joins the fight against Moff Gideon to get the Darksaber back. We just don’t have the answer yet.
The Mandalorian Season 2 rumored new additions: Boba Fett
Now, for all new Star Wars fans, you’re probably wondering how Boba Fett would know the Skywalker family. Well, let’s see. He wanted vengeance on Mace Windu for killing his father during the Clone Wars and Anakin helped to stop him.
Then, he would be hired as a bounty hunter years later by the Chosen One, who was now Darth Vader, to hunt down his son, Luke. Then, he accidentally got tossed into the Sarlacc Pit by Han Solo, who married Anakin’s daughter, Leia, who in turn killed Jabba the Hutt.
It should also be noted that when The Mandalorian was announced, people naturally assumed that the Fetts would be the focus. However, it was later revealed the protagonist would be totally original. However, there have been Boba Fett related Easter eggs during the first eight chapters to Din Djarin’s story.
Meanwhile, we also need to address the debate that has been brewing for several years regarding whether the Fetts were actual Mandalorians. George Lucas has stated that the father-son duo were NOT members of the creed that Din follows. This was even backed up in The Clone Wars Season 2 episode, “The Mandalore Plot,” where Prime Minister Almec tells Obi-Wan, “Jango Fett was a common bounty hunter. How acquired that armor is beyond me.”
Just because you have Mandalorian armor, it does not make you an automatic Mandalorian. Also, Jango’s Wookieepedia page states that he claims his home planet is Concord Dawn, though has never actually been confirmed. Also, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni wouldn’t change what was put in place beforehand. Also, Boba’s homeworld is listed as Kamino as this was where he was “born” as a clone of his “father.”
The Mandalorian Season 2 rumored new additions: CT-7657/Rex
Any fan of The Clone Wars and/or Rebels will have loved Rex. He was loyal and didn’t question his General’s orders. He became close to Anakin and to Ahsoka and even knew of the Jedi Knight’s marriage to Senator Padmé Amidala. In Skywalker’s eyes, the clone was more than just another soldier. He was a friend and like many of his fellow Jedi, he didn’t see the Fett copies as disposable.
Despite being a Jango Fett clone, does this mean that Rex should appear in The Mandalorian? At this point, we don’t know what the former captain is doing during this time in the story. We know from the Rebels series finale he survived past the Battle of Endor. Din’s journey takes place about five years after that event so there is no Skywalker Saga connection.
Honestly, We’d love to see Rex again, but not in The Mandalorian. Just his appearance takes away from the true purpose of the series. Every fan has their own definition for what defines the show but the overall reasons the show exists is to explore a whole new avenue of Star Wars storytelling that has never been done before.
If Rex were to appear post-Battle of Endor, it would be in a totally different project that dives into his adventures during this time. His link to the Skywalker Saga is one that that is simply too noticeable to simply brush off in The Mandalorian. While new viewers will want to know who he is, anyone who has seen The Clone Wars and Rebels won’t really need an explanation as there just wouldn’t be any point.
Rex’s contacts within the Rebellion might come in handy but given the Empire would be out of commission by this time or nearing their end, they might not be needed.
The Mandalorian Season 2 rumored new additions: Bo-Katan Kryze
One important factor to what we might see during Season 2 is the involvement of Lady Bo-Katan Kryze who was the last known person to have the Darksaber, the weapon seen wielded by Moff Gideon.
For Clone Wars and Rebels fans, the weapon is incredibly familiar and when we saw the Imperial lackey with the black bladed laser sword, we had to wonder how he got it. However, anyone who has not seen these shows will just see the blade as another a new cool lightsaber.
Now, you’re probably wondering where Bo-Katan comes into the Skywalker Saga. She has plenty of experience with Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan. She’s worked with the three of them a number of times over the course of the Clone Wars.
Bo is the sister of Obi-Wan’s late ex-girlfriend, Satine and the relationship between the duchess and the Jedi Knight was basically the worst kept secret outside of Anakin and Padmé’s marriage.
If we’re honest, Bo appearing in The Mandalorian has more weight than the other Skywalker Saga centric characters, given Moff Gideon now has the Darksaber which was last seen in Lady Kryze’s hands in Star Wars Rebels. Though, it might be too soon. Why? Well, given the series is set up to focus on Din Djarin and Baby Yoda, the logical answer would be yes, but if you take away both of those factors, it would be a no.
The reason for the no is because of how the Darksaber has come into play. Was it stolen? Could Bo-Katan have been killed and she’ll only appear in flashbacks? There’s a ton of ways she might show up. Also, we need to point out that when the Empire was in power, the Emperor removed Bo’s sway over her own people.
Conclusion
Are we against having Skywalker Saga centric characters in The Mandalorian? Not exactly, but we’re not for it either. It’s just way too soon in the series to involve most of them. However, it does make sense from a timeline perspective for at least Ahsoka and Rex, given the former Padawan is believed to be dead by the time The Rise of Skywalker occurs. The clone would likely be gone by that time too, given how fast he and his brethren age. Bo-Katan appear only makes sense given how the Darksaber was bought into play at the end of Season 1. Boba Fett should just remain a mystery.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Be sure to comment below!