Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is every fan’s dream. Characters, custom droids, custom lightsabers, themed restaurants and attractions – what’s not to love? Soon, guests will even be able to board the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Disney World, which promises an immersive 2-night experience. But one can’t help but feel that there’s something missing in the world of Batuu. Perhaps it’s because the sequel trilogy – upon which the land is based – was poorly received by many. Or maybe it’s because there are far more ‘park-worthy’ settings along the Star Wars timeline. When considering the most ambitious entry, The Clone Wars comes to mind. Here’s how the beloved hit show show’s line-up of fascinating characters, epic battle sequences and countless destinations could have made a better themed land.
1. Worlds
Though Disney admittedly wanted to avoid basing Galaxy’s Edge on anything guests were familiar with and create a world entirely unique to the Star Wars universe, Batuu is still just one planet in a franchise known for its world-hopping. And nothing does quite as much of it as The Clone Wars. Sure, the show spans 133 episodes and a movie, which gives it a huge advantage over any other Star Wars entry, but nevertheless, it covers enough ground to justify its own theme park, let alone themed land. Among the many worlds featured in the show are Coruscant, Kamino, Onderon and Mon Cala, which together span futuristic skylines, rain-battered ocean facilities, lush jungle terrain and underwater civilizations. Simply put, a Clone Wars-themed land could have incorporated several worlds for a more varied experience. Think themed lands within a themed land!
2. Characters
Set during the sequel trilogy, the ‘canonical’ Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge includes Rey, Kylo Ren, Finn, Poe Dameron and General Hux, so there’s really no shortage of characters. But as the land occupies a part of the timeline that’s much less ‘populated’ than others, limitations may become apparent in time. For the most part, The Clone Wars follows fan favorite Ahsoka Tano, but it also features countless other characters: Anakin, Yoda, Padme, Obi-Wan, Count Dooku and Asajj Ventress, to name a few. A long time ago, many Clone Wars characters did appear at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends, but the annual event was eventually cancelled to make way for Galaxy’s Edge. Though it would be incredible to see their return, there are at least ‘echoes’ of these characters throughout Batuu, whether in the form of Ahsoka’s lightsaber at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, or Weequay pirate Hondo Ohnaka’s animatronic at Disneyland.
3. Battles & Adventures
It would be unreasonable to suggest that the sequel trilogy lacks in inspiration for attractions – just look at the two rides at Galaxy’s Edge. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance thrusts guests into a thrilling battle between the Rebels and the First Order, while Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run allows them to board the fastest ship in the galaxy. Together, they offer the best of both worlds where the sequels are concerned – something new and something vintage. However, The Clone Wars is a far richer source of inspiration than the sequel trilogy. Imagine a 3D adventure not unlike Avatar: Flight of Passage that sees guests tearing through the aerial traffic lanes of Coruscant, or diving deep into the underwater Battle of Mon Cala, or perhaps even a walk-through experience at the majestic Jedi Temple during Order 66. The possibilities would be endless.
4. Visuals
There’s no denying that the world of Batuu looks and feels like Star Wars. It’s rocky and sand-swept with plenty of rustic, mechanical aesthetics on display. But there’s no doubt that, from a visual point of view, a Clone Wars-themed land would have given Batuu a run for its galactic credits. The show is dripping with color, and boasts an impressive roster of vibrant characters and a gallery of stunning worlds to boot, making it the most beautiful entry in the Star Wars franchise to date (even Coruscant’s gritty, neon-lit underworld wields a certain aesthetic charm). And where themed lands are concerned, the overall look is just as important as everything else on offer. So, when you consider battle-inspired attractions, colorful characters and impressive landscapes, it’s fair to say that a Clone Wars-themed land would have been a real feast for the eyes.
The Clone Wars was a huge hit during its run and its popularity continues to echo throughout all things Star Wars – Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan have appeared in The Mandalorian, with the former getting her own live action TV show next year, and The Bad Batch, a direct follow-up to The Clone Wars, is set to premiere on May the 4th. But there’s still plenty to love about the world of Batuu – it does capture that ‘signature’ Star Wars look and feel. But we’ve no doubt that the Force would have been stronger in a Clone Wars-themed land.
