Although the Jedi and the Sith have long dominated Star Warsthere is a group of Star Wars movies and TV shows that deserve much more attention. From the beginning, the Star Wars the timeline focused on the Jedi, the Sith, and the Force. Even as other Force groups, such as the Nightsisters of Dathomir and the Witches of Brendok, were introduced, the dichotomy between the Jedi and the Sith remains fundamental in Star Wars stories.
Although the Jedi and Sith are, of course, some of the Star Wars best characters, the time has certainly come for other stories. Star Wars began transitioning to new stories in the years since the Skywalker Saga ended in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with shows like Andor and Star Wars: The Bad Batchboth centered on non-Jedi characters. Although these are among Star Wars best TV shows, one group still hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves – and it’s about time they got 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 the main reason the original trilogy became immediately popular, even as the world-building was happening in real time. Star Wars also continued to expand on these initial ideas and stories in interesting ways, especially with the prequel trilogy revealing what the Jedi Order was like before the tragedy of Order 66. The prequels also provided significantly more information about the ways of the Sith, including introducing the Sith Rule of Two.
Over time, however, the Jedi versus Sith formula started to feel a little overdone. This started with the sequel trilogy, which was accused of borrowing too much from the original trilogy; many viewers specifically felt Star Wars: The Force Awakens it was very similar to A New Hope. When The Rise of Skywalker then revealed that Palpatine was the main villain once again, it seemed like Star Wars perhaps you will never escape this formula.
In more recent years, Star Wars became a little more experimental with the Jedi and the Sith, particularly in terms of moving away from the firm divide between light and dark. The Acolyte in particular, it portrayed Jedi who were clearly conflicted, if not outright confused, about the light side and the dark side, such as Master Sun, who felt justified even when his actions caused devastation. Ahsoka also suggested that Baylan Skoll is neither fully aligned with the Sith nor fully aligned with the Jedi, as he is a dark side Force user, but continues to have respect for the Jedi.
Bounty hunters have proven themselves to be completely flexible in Star Wars.
Ultimately, however, the Jedi will always be on the light side, and the Sith will always be on the dark sideand this makes the stories told about them somewhat limited. This is not true when it comes to bounty hunters. Bounty hunters have proven themselves to be completely flexible in Star Warsnot feeling loyalty to one side or the other as much as they seek to earn some credits and complete their work.
Din Djarin is perhaps the best example of this. Although he was previously willing to take on various jobs, in The Mandalorian Finishing season 3, Din Djarin agreed to take jobs specifically in the New Republic. This kind of flexibility and moral ambiguity (at least early in Din Djarin’s career), which is true of bounty hunters in Star Wars far beyond Din Djarin, it’s what makes the possibilities of the bounty hunter story much more interesting than the same Jedi versus the Sith story.
Many of Star Wars’ best characters were bounty hunters
In animation and live action, bounty hunters are loved
Perhaps because bounty hunters don’t adhere to the binary of light and dark sides of the Force and therefore have room for so much complexity, Bounty hunters have proven to be some of the most popular characters around the world. Star Wars franchise. This was made clear by Boba Fett’s immense popularity in the original trilogy. Even George Lucas didn’t expect Boba Fett to take off like he did, but something about his armor, his skill set, and his role in the Star Wars attracted the public.
Since Boba Fett, several fan-favorite bounty hunters have been introduced in Star Wars movies and programs. Although Asajj Ventress started in Star Wars: The Clone Wars As an assassin for the Sith Lord Count Dooku, when he cast her aside, she began working as a bounty hunter. His arc also took a particularly interesting turn at this point, reflecting exactly the complexity that’s possible in a story about a bounty hunter.
Although Ventress was firmly on the dark side when working alongside Dooku, her loyalty was shaken when she struck out alone. This became clearer with Ventress’s return in The bad lotwhich revealed that she now wields a yellow lightsaber – a sign that she may no longer be on the dark side. Even with this change, however, Ventress did not suddenly become a Jedi; as a bounty hunter, she can simply walk that line without having to choose a side.
Fennec Shand, Aurra Sing, and Cad Bane also became important bounty hunters, with Fennec Shand in particular appearing in The Mandalorian, The bad lotand The Book of Boba Fett. Of course, without a doubt the most popular bounty hunter today is Din Djarin, especially given his leading role in the Star Wars next movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Part of this popularity is due to Grogu’s father-son dynamic, which quickly won over audiences, but his work as a bounty hunter is also a critical part of his character – which was originally the focus.
A bounty hunter program would be a perfect complement to Star Wars
This was the original plan for The Mandalorian
Although The Mandalorian became much more focused on the incredible bond that developed between Din Djarin and Grogu; initially, it was pitched as a show about bounty hunters. It makes sense that The Mandalorian made this pivot. Until season 2, Grogu didn’t even have an official name, referred to only as The Child on the show and ‘Baby Yoda’ among many viewers. Maybe even Star Wars didn’t fully predict the sensation Grogu would become, but the popularity of The Mandalorian it was due in large part to this unique and touching relationship between adoptive father and son.
However, this initial concept for The Mandalorian proves that a bounty hunter show is exactly what Star Wars it needs. There was a lot of excitement The Mandalorian focusing on bounty hunters, and for good reason. Not only does this group not adhere to a specific moral code, but a show about bounty hunters would necessarily be action-packed, incorporate a number of unique stories and characters, and explore new corners of the world. Star Wars Galaxy. Although Din Djarin’s arc was brilliant, Star Wars There’s still a real bounty hunter show left.
Although Din Djarin’s arc was brilliant, Star Wars There’s still a real bounty hunter show left.
The New Republic Era Is the Ideal Time for a Bounty Hunter Show
This era is not limited in the same way as others
Star Wars the upcoming TV shows prove that the New Republic Era is the franchise’s current focus. Two of the three upcoming shows confirmed, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and Ahsokaare set during this era, as is The Mandalorian and Grogu. In truth, the reason behind Skeleton Crew being set during this time is exactly why a bounty hunter show should also take place at this time. Skeleton Crew is about a group of children lost in the galaxy, among other things, and the creators didn’t want it to happen during a time when the Jedi would simply come to rescue them.
This lack of Jedi presence would also be a huge benefit for a bounty hunter show.
This lack of Jedi presence would also be a huge benefit for 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 transform itself into what the Republic once was, but Ahsoka proved this to be slow and, as the sequels have already made clear, this ends up falling apart when the First Order emerges. With the galaxy still picking up the pieces after 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 countless possible ties to other shows and characters, like Din Djarin or Boba Fett. Even if these characters weren’t the focus (which they probably shouldn’t be), this period offers several exciting cameo possibilities. Star Wars will likely announce a slew of new shows at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and hopefully a bounty hunter show will be among them.