The Star Wars animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, and more recently, The Bad Batch have delighted fans of the beloved franchise, while also ushering in a new generation of Star Wars fans by providing them with new stories, characters, and insight from unique perspectives into what transpired in between — and, in some cases, during — the events of the films from the Skywalker Saga. Star Wars: The Clone Wars covers The Clone Wars, starting immediately following Attack of The Clones and ending contemporaneously with the events of Revenge of the Sith. The Bad Batch covers the events immediately following the infamous Order 66, and Rebels covers a large portion of the time between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Each of these shows has brought with it familiar faces like Obi-Wan Kenobi, while introducing new characters like Ahsoka Tano to the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
Star Wars fans have grown fond of these animated characters and their individual story arcs. Let's take a look at the characters from the animated series that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have brilliantly brought to live-action in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, as well as some we'd like to see join the live-action portion of the rapidly expanding Star Wars Universe.
11 Saw Gerrera — Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Saw Gerrera was first introduced to fans in The Clone Wars and made his live-action debut, played brilliantly by Forest Whitaker, in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Saw Gerrera is a freedom fighter who initially worked with the Jedi and subsequently with the rebels against the Empire. He is assisted by Obi-Wan and Anakin in The Clone Wars, but by the events of Rogue One, he is ostracized by the Rebels, considered to have methods that are "too extreme." He is also featured briefly in the third season of Rebels.
Saw Gerrera's live-action screen time, albeit short, is brilliantly performed by Forest Whitaker, who made the character both callous and kind, deadly, yet full of compassion and dedicated to seeing the galaxy free from the control of the Empire. His on-screen chemistry with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is sensational. It tugs at the heartstrings. Saw Gerrera's short-lived live-action appearance leaves fans desperate for more of the character. Seeing Saw Gerrera in The Mandalorian and or The Book of Boba Fett is unlikely since his character met his end in Rogue One. However, with multiple Star Wars spinoffs in the works, including Andor, a Rogue One spinoff, it is highly likely we will get more of Forest Whitaker's brilliant portrayal of the most masterful guerilla military tactician and thorn in the side of the Empire.
10 Ahsoka Tano — The Mandalorian
Anakin Skywalker's padawan introduced in the Clone Wars movie proved an instant hit with franchise fans. Ahsoka Tano is arguably the heart and soul of The Clone Wars series, playing the stubborn, emotional, reckless apprentice to Anakin that Anakin was to Obi-Wan before he would fall to the dark side as Darth Vader. Ahsoka's live-action portrayal from Rosario Dawson sent fans into an absolute frenzy when she showed up in Season 2 of The Mandalorian. Fans were equally thrilled when she reappeared in the penultimate episode of The Book of Boba Fett to give both Luke and Mando some counsel — there's a trio that is dripping with fan service, and we love every minute of it.
Ahsoka is featured in The Clone Wars and Rebels, with one heartbreaking episode climaxing in a duel with her former Master-turned-Sith Lord. Ahsoka's mission in The Mandalorian involved her search for Grand Admiral Thrawn (also featured in Rebels). What may be next for Dawson's version of Ahsoka is yet unknown. Still, we expect her to collide with Thrawn and potentially some Imperial inquisitors tasked with hunting down the remaining Jedi after Order 66. Ahsoka's live-action show is rumored to feature Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader, which means we could see a live-action duel between the former Master and Apprentice. With the upcoming Ahsoka series expected to begin production in March, fans won't have to wait too long to see where Dave Filoni takes arguably the most adored addition to the Star Wars Extended Universe.
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Bo-Katan Kryze — The Mandalorian
Next on the list is the heir to House Kryze, Bo-Katan Kryze. Bo-Katan is a warrior who believes Mandalore should reclaim its rightful glory. She takes pride in her Mandalorian ancestry. Bo-Katan first appeared in The Clone Wars and was antagonistic toward her sister Satine, the pacifist ruler of Mandalore. Bo-Katan would go on to wield The Darksaber, gifted to her in Rebels by Sabine Wren, to unite Mandalore under one ruler. Despite having a united Mandalore and wielding the Dark Saber, Bo-Katan's rule of Mandalore would come to a swift and horrific end during the Night of a Thousand Tears when the Empire completely obliterated the planet in a show of strength. We saw a brief flashback to this event in The Book of Boba Fett. Bo-Katan lost the Darksaber, and it ended up in the hands of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito). Now, Din Djarin, aka Mando, wields the Darksaber, much to the chagrin of Bo-Katan.
8 Cad Bane — The Book of Boba Fett
The newest addition to the live-action Star Wars Universe is the terrifying bounty hunter Cad Bane. Cad Bane did not disappoint, making his live-action debut in the penultimate episode of The Book of Boba Fett. He is just as deadly and stoic as in the animated series. Cad Bane meets his end at the hands of Boba Fett in the show's final episode, so while short-lived, seeing live-action Cad Bane sent Star Wars fans into a frenzy.
Bane appears throughout The Clone Wars working as a bounty hunter for The Hutts as well as the Separatists. He is even enlisted by Darth Sidious on several occasions. Boba Fett and Cad Bane square off in a duel in an episode of The Clone Wars that never aired, causing Boba to have a dent in his helmet. Live-action Boba Fett has the same dent in his helmet. Whether that is meant to have been caused by Cad Bane is unclear. When the two square off in live-action, it appears that they do have some history, some bad blood. Bane can handle himself against the likes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker. He has no loyalty, except to the highest bidder, and he, in fact, reappears in The Bad Batch working for the Empire. In the final episode of The Book of Boba Fett, Bane's death leaves fans wondering if we will see the character again in spinoffs like the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series scheduled to hit Disney+ on May 25, 2022.
7 Want to See: Hondo Ohnaka
Hondo Ohnaka is our favorite pirate in the galaxy featured in The Clone Wars, and Star Wars Rebels is one character we would all love to see in live-action. Hondo has a love-hate relationship with the Jedi and the Republic in The Clone Wars. He eventually winds up in the crosshairs of General Grievous and Separatist forces. This leads to a tenuous friendship with the Republic fighting alongside the Jedi against the Separatists. Hondo would eventually meet Ezra Bridger in Rebels and grow fond of the young Jedi Padawan. Hondo adds a level of comedic relief even in the most perilous of situations, and he would make an excellent live-action addition to the Star Wars universe.
6 Want to See: Assaj Ventress
Asajj Ventress is another villain from The Clone Wars that stood out and became extremely popular amongst fans. Hailing from Dathomir, Ventress transitions from being a Sith Assassin training to be Count Dooku's apprentice to a member of the Nightsisters and eventually a bounty hunter after Count Dooku attempts to murder her, decimating the Nightsisters in the process. Ventress would be a fabulous deadly addition to the live-action Star Wars universe as the first live-action female wielding not one but two red lightsabers! Ventress is a perfect candidate to show up in the fast-approaching live-action Obi-Wan-Kenobi series. She has had multiple run-ins with Obi-Wan Kenobi, even once fighting alongside him (sort of) in an episode of The Clone Wars. She also briefly teamed up with Ahsoka when Ahsoka was falsely accused of bombing the Jedi Temple in season six of The Clone Wars. We will just have to wait and see what plans (if any) Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, and the geniuses behind the expanding Star Wars Universe have for her character going forward.
5 Want to See: Captain Rex
Next on our list is the captain of the 501st CT-7567, aka Captain Rex. Throughout The Clone Wars, we see Captain Rex on the front lines of the fight against the Confederacy, fighting alongside Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and others. He is a loyal soldier who follows orders, but not blindly. During Order 66, Ahsoka Tano is able to remove the chip that caused the clones to turn on their Jedi allies. Fortunately for Rex, he escapes death at the hands of his former clone brothers thanks to Ahsoka in the series finale of The Clone Wars. Rex reappears in Rebels assisting Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus on their respective missions, fighting the good fight against the Empire. Aside from Boba Fett, there has never been a more beloved clone in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Rex believes freedom should reign across the galaxy, and he would make a fantastic addition to the live-action Star Wars Universe, potentially showing up in Season three of The Mandalorian or other Star Wars projects on the horizon.
4 Want to See: Kanan Jarrus
Kanan Jarrus is a Jedi Knight who survives Order 66. He trains Ezra Bridger in Rebels, and during one mission, he ends up being blinded by Darth Maul. Despite being blinded, Kanan continued teaching Ezra Bridger and the Mandalorian Sabine Wren. He meets his tragic end in Rebels by sacrificing himself to allow Ezra and the others to escape the clutches of the Empire. We would love to see Kanan Jarrus in live-action.
3 Want to See: Ezra Bridger & Grand Admiral Thrawn
If we are going to see the Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger in live-action, Grand Admiral Thrawn will likely make an appearance. Rumors are circulating that they will appear in the Ahsoka series on Disney+. With Thrawn and Ezra last seen on Rebels, their fates are unknown, and with Ahsoka on the hunt for Thrawn, we are likely to see these characters in live-action sooner rather than later.
2 Want to See: Sabine Wren
Sabine Wren is a Mandalorian who wields the Dark Saber in Rebels. She is trained by Kanan Jarrus, developing a deep bond with Ezra Bridger in the process. She passes the Darksaber on to Bo-Katan Kryze to unite Mandalore and bring them toward the Rebel cause. Due to the history of the Darksaber and how it must be won in combat, Bo-Katan’s reign was unsuccessful to say the least. The Empire absolutely obliterated the planet during the Night of a Thousand Tears, and Moff Gideon took the Darksaber from Bo-Katan. It would be interesting to see Sabine in live-action and the door is wide open for her to make her entrance into the live-action Star Wars Universe in more than one of the multiple Star Wars series coming to Disney+ in 2022 and beyond!
1 Want to See: The Bad Batch
We want the whole batch in live-action — yes, even Crosshair. The first season of The Bad Batch was a delight for fans of Clone Force 99. This group of "defective clones" first made their appearance in the seventh season of The Clone Wars and, in the subsequent spinoff, enthralled fans of the group of misfit clones. The Bad Batch animated series is slated for a second season, so we will definitely get more of this ragtag group of clones as they try to survive the Empire's expansion. The question remains, will we ever see these misfits in live-action? Only time will tell!