Star Wars Bits: The Bad Batch Reports For Duty, Empire At 40, Alden Ehrenreich Talks Solo, A Doctor Aphra Audiobook, And More!
In this edition of Star Wars Bits:
Disney+ Calls in the Troops withStar Wars: The Bad BatchStar Wars: The Bad Batch, an animated spin-off series that will focus onthe Bad Batch, a group of elite clones first introduced inThe Clone Wars, as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War.
Fresh off of the critically-acclaimed series finale ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars, the Disney+ original series will premiere on the streaming service in 2021. Here’s the official description for the series, which briefly explains the origins of The Bad Batch:
“Members of Bad Batch – a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army — each possess a singular exceptional skill which makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew. In the post-Clone War era, they will take on daring mercenary missions as they struggle to stay afloat and find new purpose.”
Star Wars: The Bad Batchis executive produced byDave Filoni(The Mandalorian, Star Wars: The Clone Wars),Athena Portillo(Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels),Brad Rau(Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance) andJennifer Corbett(Star Wars Resistance, NCIS) withCarrie Beck(The Mandalorian, Star Wars Rebels)as co-executive producer andJosh Rimesas producer (Star Wars Resistance). Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer.
The news that the Bad Batch would be getting their own series was originally broke byNoah Outlaw(@OutlawNoah), host of Kessel Run Radio (@KRTransmissions) back in June.
We can 100% say that the next Star Wars animated series features The Bad Batch as the main leads. It’ll take place after “The Siege of Mandalore” and Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, Wrecker, and Echo will all be back.pic.twitter.com/0GLRZA51HI
— Noah Outlaw (@OutlawNoah)July 19, 2025
Empire at 40: 15 Factoids AboutThe Empire Strikes Back
On June 15, 2025,The Empire Strikes Backmade its theatrical debut. To celebrate the classic film’s landmark 40th anniversary, StarWars.com presents"Empire at 40,“a special series of interviews, editorial features, and listicles.
Star WarsluminariesGeorge Lucas, Mark Hamill, Joe Johnston, Ben Burtt, and more chatted withStarWars.comas part of their yearlong celebration of the 40th anniversary, revealing fun behind-the-scenes factoids straight from the source! For example, tauntaun sounds are the slowed-down chatter of a sea otter!
And on the subject of Empire’s theatrical debut, the film recently found itself at the top of the box office charts again, 23 years after the February 1997 Special Edition reissue. According toDeadline, the 1980 sequel struck hard and fast with a$611K3-day and$644Kfive-day gross. That brings the lifetime gross of theIrvin Kershner-directed movie to $290.4 million.
Alden Ehrenreich TalksStar WarsandSoloSequel Potential
In an interview withEsquire,Solo: A Star Wars StoryactorAlden Ehrenreichwas asked if he’d ever reprise his role of Han Solo, to which he said,“It depends on what it is. It depends on how it’s done. It depends if it feels innate to the story.”
As for aSolosequel, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything going on that front right now, but there is a sliver of hope. He has heard some rumors about happenings in the Star Wars universe:
“I’ve heardsoooomestuff, but nothing concrete.”
As someone who thoroughly enjoyedSolo: A Star Wars Story, I would love to see more of the adventures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian, as well as more stories featuring Qi’ra, Dryden Vos, and Enfys Nest. For what it’s worth,Editor-in-Chief ofCinelinxandStar Warsscooper extraordinaireJordan Maisonhas heard rumblings about Disney+ series in development that focus on characters fromRon Howard’s 2018 film.
FWIW, I’d heard of a couple Disney Plus series being developed to focus on various characters in#Solo. Haven’t heard any updates since the start of this year, however, so not sure if those are still being worked on, or ever got beyond the “idea stage.”
— Jordan Maison (@JordanMaison)July 21, 2025
Doctor Aphra Encounters Maz Kanata inDoctor Aphra: An Audiobook Original
InDoctor Aphra: An AudiobookOriginal, an expanded adaptation of the galactic archaeologist’s introduction in Marvel’sDarth Vaderseries, Aphra makes a deal with the Sith Lord and begins a memorable misadventure.StarWars.comhas an exclusive excerpt from the audio drama, in which actorEmily Woo Zellerbrings Aphra to life “with a simultaneously hilarious, chaotic, and faux-confident performance befitting the not-so-good doctor.”
In thisexclusive clip, an all-new scene added to the classic story, Aphra encounters the legendary pirate Maz Kanata, who is not to be trifled with. Look forDoctor Aphra: An AudiobookOriginal, written bySarah Kuhnand featuring a full cast, on digital download starting July 21.
Also,Star Warssuper-fan and Doctor Aphra cosplayerAlyssa Vidales(@instalyssa) recently revealed on Twitter that she was the reference model for the audiobook’s cover art, illustrated byKevin Tong!
The best parts about the new Doctor Aphra audiobook:
1. NEW DOCTOR APHRA STORY!
2. The AMAZING@tragicsunshineillustrated the cover!!
- I was the reference model for this Doctor Aphra! THAT IS MY POSE!!!https://t.co/IednFtjyaw
— Alyssa Vidales (@instalyssa)August 04, 2025
Trisha Biggar and E.K. Johnston Talk Padmé Fashion
On the most recent episode ofThe Star Wars Show, we get a behind-the-scenes look atStar Wars: Jedi Temple Challengeand watch adorable baby animals take on the Empire. Plus, authorE.K. Johnstonand hostKristin Bavertalk Padmé fashion with legendary costume designer,Trisha Biggar.
Watch more ofThe Star Wars Showon the official Star Wars YouTube channel.
Amy Ratcliffe’sThe Jedi MindExplores Mindfulness in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
StarWars.com associate editor Kristin Baver recently sat down withAmy Ratcliffe, author ofStar Wars: Women of the Galaxy, to discuss her upcoming book,The Jedi Mind.The book takes quotations and lessons fromStar Warsand pairs them with mindfulness practices such as breathing, posture, and meditation.
These lessons are complimented by stunning illustrations from artistChristina Chungto give readers meditations on everything from letting go to looking inward.StarWars.comhas your first look at the cover as well as pages and passages on gratitude and more! You canpre-order your own copynow before it’s released this fall!
Also, Amy Ratcliffe was recently in the interviewer chair for Nerdist, going over 40 minutes withDave Filoni, supervising director and executive producer ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars, to talk about the show’s legacy, making the final season, and to answer some fan questions!
The Mandalorian-Inspired Books and Comics Are ComingStarWars.comrecently announced a new publishing program dedicated toThe Mandalorian, featuring books and titles for fans of all ages:
In addition,The Mandalorian-inspired comics are coming from Marvel and IDW Publishing, and magazine, novelty, and coloring and activity titles are on the way too. Younger bounty hunters can look forward to a Little Golden Book and a Screen Comix retelling of Season One.
Alex DamonatStar Wars Explainedhas a great breakdown of all the new titles coming our way!
Ludwig Göransson &Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.
And finally, watch as the Oscar-winning composerLudwig Göransson(Black Panther,Creed) performs the theme fromThe Mandalorian. Also, just as a friendly reminder, all eight episodes of the behind-the-scenes seriesDisney Gallery: The Mandalorianare streaming right now on Disney+ and it’s an absolute delight (and a must-watch for anyStar Warsfan). Until next time, may the Force be with you… always!
