Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld Trailer Reaction
Ahead of Star Wars Celebration, audiences have been given a new look at the next ‘Tales of’ shorts, focusing on the underworld in a galaxy far far away. The shorts will focus on two well-known characters, Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, as they seek to survive, either falling further into depravity or trying to climb out of it.
These shorts have always followed two different perspectives, one of someone ascending towards the light and another of someone falling to the dark. Ventress serves the former, as the trailer sees her protecting a young Jedi from what looks like a new Inquisitor. She is trying to change. Bane on the other hand is very much not trying to change, even though he has the chance to forgive a former foe.
Ventress’ story will likely take place after her appearance in season three of ‘The Bad Batch’. Audiences may get some insight into how she survived a death experience during the time of the Clone Wars. But her present is surviving in the criminal underworld, where she meets what looks like yet another survivor of Order 66, and has a choice about whether to leave him to die at the hands of the Empire or help him to safety. Of course, she chooses the latter, with the trailer teasing plenty of action as she tries to stop this kid from being hunted by the Empire.
Cad Bane’s side of things looks like it’ll be much more simple. Revenge. It seems that at some point his friend wronged him, as Bane claims he took everything from him. Of course, if audiences are shown the incident, they’ll have a chance to evaluate that claim for themselves. But either way, he and his friend will duel it out to try and settle things, but audiences already know that this duel can only end one way. Getting a look into Bane’s life will be unique, especially his past.
With the focus on its well-known leads, ‘Tales of the Underworld’ retreads familiar ground. It’s a shame that these short stories follow a similar model to ‘Tales of the Jedi’ and ‘Tales of the Empire’, taking known characters and giving them yet more story. While diving into different aspects of the ‘Star Wars’ world is cool, it’s a missed opportunity that these shorts are unwilling to explore new members of the ‘Star Wars’ universe and instead rely on nostalgia with characters who are known quantities.
