The introduction of FN-2187 inStar Wars: The Force Awakenswas a novel idea for theStar Warsuniverse. Otherwise known as Finn, he was a deserter from the First Order Stormtrooper army. More than that, he was a child soldier that was purchased and forced into the ranks. As theStar WarsDisney Trilogy continued, and with the release ofThe Mandalorianon Disney+, fans learned that Finn is not the only child soldier, nor the only one who had a conscience.
IfRogue Onecould fill in the gaps of what happened with the Rebels and the Death Star flaw, so to should there be amovie solely about Stormtroopersand their lot in the galaxy. If one eagerly dives into the daydream of the idea, Star Wars: Stormtroopers could be filled with awesome action and explore a great deal of new themes for the franchise. Prior to John Boyega’s portrayal of Finn, Stormtroopers were merely considered the grunts of the Galactic Empire. They were faceless, nameless cannon fodder for Luke Skywalker to lightsaber or for Han Solo to laser blast away.Star Wars: The Clone Warsexplored the personalities and relationships of the Clone Troopers, but the thread between thePrequel Era and afterwardhas never fully been weaved.
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There is a chance thatStar Wars: The Bad Batchwill progress the story of the Clone Troopers and show when the transition from clones to natural-born soldiers occurred, and if there were any struggles or conflicts surrounding that event. Yet it is more likely to focus solely on the Clone Troopers and the change from the Republic to the Empire, rather than the change from clones to humans. There is a twenty-year span thatBad Batchjust cannot cover. The topic of Stormtroopers is a well ofboth entertainment and thoughtful inquiry, as they are essentially the professional enforcers of an oppressive violent regime – whether volunteers or conscripts.
Implications of Finn, Jannah and Mayfeld
Finn explained that he was taken from his parents (or sold by them) as a child and trained by the First Order.Witnessing the massacre on Jakkuand the execution of the defenseless San Tekka (played by the late great Max von Sydow) during his first real mission caused him to hesitate in shock. He felt such revulsion and guilt that he deserted the First Order and eventually joined the Resistance, ultimately becoming one of its Generals.
InStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,fans found out that more child soldiers defected from the First Order as Finn meets Jannah on planet Kef Bir. She and her squad refused orders to kill innocent civilians and went into hiding with a small tribe. Then they returned to the fray to join the Resistance and fight in the Battle of Exegol. InThe MandalorianSeason 2 Chapter 15, fans hear about the tragic battle of Operation Cinder. Migs Mayfeld (Bill Burr) is so traumatized by the battle that he assassinates Officer Hess in plain sight of the garrison. These characters serve as the precedent for what could come next.
“Long Live Secret Empire”
If Finn, Jannah, and Mayfeld can recognize the brutality of the Empire, how many others do as well? How many others feel the same way they do and are harboring desires to revolt against the Empire? Or, more intriguing, have they already formed a secretinternal faction of anti-Imperialistsin the vein of Galen Erso inRogue One?
This faction could undermine the exploitation and expansion of the Empire in subtle, devious ways. Perhaps culminating in a major assassination attempt against the Emperor, like in the movieValkyrie? Or climaxing with an attack on an Imperial fortress full of a wining and dining High Command, like the movieThe Dirty Dozen?Perhaps that fortress could be Darth Vader’s own castle on Mustafar? How cool would that be? Fans are already well versed in the deeds of the Rebellion and the Resistance. It wouldbe a new venture to explorethe internal dissatisfaction of the Imperials themselves.
Star Wars: Stormtroopers
The closest thing to a Stormtrooper story expansion is the animated children’s shortStormtroopers vs. Rebels – Soldiers of the Galactic Empire.
Now that Disney owns theStar Warsproperty, it seems like the franchise is expanding in new and wide directions. In the very near future, they will release shows and movies of all types about spies,about pilots, about droids,and of course about the Jedi and the Sith. No where in that roster of upcoming content is there anything about the rank-and-file Stormtrooper. It is a fertile field that can illuminate a once deliberately ignored sphere of the franchise. No longer are Stormtroopersviewed as minor henchmen. As evident with Finn and the others, there are real people under those ivory helmets. Their story should be told -and it could be the best war movieStar Warshas ever released!
Star Wars: The Bad Batchwill release on Disney+ on May 4th, 2021.
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