Although the Jedi and the Sith have long dominatedStar Wars, there’s one group fromStar Warsmovies and TV showsthat deserves much more attention. From the beginning,theStar Warstimelinehas focused on the Jedi, the Sith, and the Force. Even when other Force groups, such asthe Nightsisters of Dathomirandthe Witches of Brendok, have been introduced,the dichotomy between the Jedi and the Sith remains paramount inStar Wars’stories.
While the Jedi and Sith are, of course, some ofStar Wars’best characters, the time for other stories has certainly come.Star Warshas begun to transition to new stories in the years since the Skywalker Saga ended inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerwith shows likeAndorandStar Wars: The Bad Batch, both of which center on non-Jedi characters. While these are amongStar Wars’best TV shows, one group still hasn’t gotten the proper attention—and it’s more than time for them to get their own show.
Bounty Hunters Have Become More Interesting Than Jedi Or Sith In Star Wars
The Moral Ambiguity Of Bounty Hunters Is More Compelling
The Jedi and Sith are undeniably fascinating, and these opposing sides of the Force were a major reason why the original trilogy was immediately popular, even as the world-building was happening in real time.Star Warshas also continued to expand those initial ideas and stories in interesting ways, especially with the prequel trilogy revealing what the Jedi Order looked like before the tragedy of Order 66. The prequels also provided significantly more insight into the ways of the Sith, including by introducingthe Sith Rule of Two.
Over time, though,the Jedi versus the Sith formula has started to feel a bit overdone. This began with the sequel trilogy, which was accused of borrowing too heavily from the original trilogy; many viewers specifically feltStar Wars: The Force Awakenswas too similar toA New Hope. WhenThe Rise of Skywalkerthen revealed that Palpatine was the main villain yet again, it seemed as thoughStar Warsmay never escape this formula.
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This detail from Return of the Jedi proves that Palpatine was never meant to be the main villain of Star Wars, reinforcing what a misstep this was.
In more recent years,Star Warshas become a bit more experimental with the Jedi and the Sith, particularly in terms of pulling back from the firm divide between the light and the dark.The Acolytein particular depicted Jedi who were clearly conflicted, if not outright confused, about the light and dark side, such as Master Sol, who felt justified even when his actions caused devastation.Ahsokaalso suggested that Baylan Skoll is neither fully aligned with the Sith nor aligned with the Jedi, as he is a dark side Force-user but continues to have respect for the Jedi.
Bounty hunters have proven to be completely flexible inStar Wars.
Ultimately, though,the Jedi will always be on the light side, and the Sith will always be on the dark, and that makes the stories told about them somewhat limited. This is not true when it comes to bounty hunters. Bounty hunters have proven to be completely flexible inStar Wars, not feeling an allegiance to one side or the other as much as they are looking to earn some credits and complete their job.
Din Djarin is perhaps the best example of this. Although he was previously willing to take a variety of jobs, inThe Mandalorianseason 3 ending, Din Djarin agreed to take jobs with the New Republic specifically. This type of flexibility and moral ambiguity (at least earlier on in Din Djarin’s career), which is true for bounty hunters inStar Warsfar beyond just Din Djarin, is what makes the bounty hunters' story possibilities so much more interesting than the same story of the Jedi versus the Sith.
Many Of Star Wars' Best Characters Have Been Bounty Hunters
In Animation And Live-Action, Bounty Hunters Are Beloved
Perhaps because bounty hunters don’t adhere to the binary of the light and dark side of the Force and therefore have room for so much complexity,bounty hunters have proven to be some of the most popular characters in the entireStar Warsfranchise. This became clear with the immense popularity of Boba Fett in the original trilogy. Even George Lucas did not expect Boba Fett to take off in the way that he did, but something about his armor, his skill set, and his role inStar Warsdrew audiences in.
Since Boba Fett, a number of fan-favorite bounty hunters have been introduced inStar Warsmovies and shows. Although Asajj Ventress began inStar Wars: The Clone Warsas an assassin for the Sith Lord Count Dooku, when he cast her aside, she began working as a bounty hunter. Her arc also took a particularly interesting turn at this point, reflecting exactly the complexity that is possible in a story about a bounty hunter.
Whereas Ventress had been firmly on the dark side when working alongside Dooku, her allegiances were shaken when she struck out on her own. This became most clear withVentress' return inThe Bad Batch, which revealed that she now wields a yellow lightsaber—a sign that she may no longer be on the dark side. Even with that switch, however, Ventress is not suddenly a Jedi; as a bounty hunter, she can simply toe that line without needing to pick one side.
Fennec Shand, Aurra Sing, and Cad Bane have also become important bounty hunters, with Fennec Shand in particular appearing inThe Mandalorian,The Bad Batch, andThe Book of Boba Fett. Of course, arguably the most popular bounty hunter at present is Din Djarin, particularly given his leading role inStar Wars’next movie,The Mandalorian & Grogu. Part of this popularity is due to his father-and-son dynamic with Grogu, which swiftly won audiences over, but his work as a bounty hunter is also a critical part of his character—one that was originally the focus.
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A Bounty Hunter Show Would Be A Perfect Addition To Star Wars
This Was The Original Plan For The Mandalorian
AlthoughThe Mandalorianhas become much more focused on the incredible bond that developed between Din Djarin and Grogu, initially, it was teased as a show about bounty hunters. It makes sense thatThe Mandalorianmade this pivot. Until season 2, Grogu didn’t even have an official name, referred to only as The Child in the show and ‘Baby Yoda’ among many viewers. Perhaps evenStar Warsdid not fully anticipate what a sensation Grogu would become, but the popularity ofThe Mandalorianhas been due in large part to this unique and touching relationship between adoptive father and son.
However, that initial concept forThe Mandalorianproves thata bounty hunter show is exactly whatStar Warsneeds. There was plenty of excitement aboutThe Mandalorianhaving a focus on bounty hunters, and for good reason. Not only does this group not adhere to a particular moral code, but also, a show about bounty hunters would by necessity be full of action, incorporate a host of unique stories and characters, and explore brand-new corners of theStar Warsgalaxy. While Din Djarin’s arc has been a brilliant one,Star Warsis still missing a true bounty hunters show.
While Din Djarin’s arc has been a brilliant one,Star Warsis still missing a true bounty hunters show.
The New Republic Era Is The Ideal Time For A Bounty Hunters Show
This Era Isn’t Limited In The Ways Others Are
Star Wars’upcoming TV showsprove that the New Republic Era is the franchise’s current focus. Two of the three confirmed upcoming shows,Star Wars: Skeleton CrewandAhsoka, are set during this era, as isThe Mandalorian & Grogu. In fact,the rationale behindSkeleton Crewbeing set during this era is precisely why a bounty hunter show should also take place at this time.Skeleton Crewis about a group of children lost in the galaxy, among other things, and the creators didn’t want this to happen during a period when the Jedi would simply come rescue them.
This lack of Jedi presence would also be a major benefit to a bounty hunter show.
This lack of Jedi presence would also be a major benefit to a bounty hunter show, as would the absence of the Republic, the Sith, and the Empire. Yes, the New Republic was making every effort to build itself up to what the Republic once was, butAhsokaproved that was slow-going, and, as the sequels already made clear, that ultimately falls apart when the First Order emerges. With the galaxy still picking up the pieces following the fall of the Empire, bounty hunters could have free rein in a unique way during the New Republic Era.
With this era being so important to the franchise right now, there are also numerous possible tie-ins to other shows and characters, like Din Djarin or Boba Fett. Even if those characters weren’t the focus (which they arguably shouldn’t be), this period offers several exciting cameo possibilities.Star Warswill likely be announcing a number of new shows at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and hopefully, a bounty hunter show will be among them.
