Warning - This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
To date, Lucasfilm animated series' like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels have not only told their own stories and introduced new characters but also managed to enhance stories from the Star Wars films.
This legacy continues with Lucasfilm Animation's latest series Star Wars: The Bad Batch, a spin-off of The Clone Wars focusing on experimental Clone Force 99.
The show's first two episodes have already incorporated The Mandalorian chain codes and a Star Wars Rebels Jedi. However, its latest episode finally revealed the contents of a plan referenced in 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
THE BAD BATCH ANSWERS A ROGUE ONE QUESTION
In the show's third episode titled "Replacements," Admiral Tarkin discussed a new Imperial initiative known as "Project War Mantle" with new character Vice Admiral Rampart.
Project War Mantle was first mentioned in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story when Jyn Erso was searching for the Death Star plans in the Citadel Tower on Scarif.
Now, thanks to the events of The Bad Batch, fans know that Project War Mantle looks to be the Empire's plan to enlist soldiers instead of clones.
During the episode, Tarkin actually referred to the clone trooper program from the Clone Wars as a "cost-prohibitive relic of the past" before turning Project War Mantle over to the now Admiral Rampart.
HOW WILL THIS REVEAL AFFECT THE CLONES?
Ever since the release of the prequel trilogy and particularly Attack of the Clones, Star Wars fans have speculated how and why the Empire replaced the clone army with enlisted troopers.
Once again, Lucasfilm Animation is answering those questions and filling in the gaps with its new series while still managing to tell a unique story with a fresh perspective.
Considering the events of this episode, it appears Admiral Rampart will play a significant role in the series as the Empire further explores the benefits of transitioning from clones to conscripted soldiers.
This, of course, is especially tragic for Crosshair and the remaining clones considering they may soon be cast aside after losing their free will and murdering innocents due to the inhibitor chip.
However, it's unlikely Clone Force 99 and newcomer Omega will steer clear of the action.
As fans continue to follow their story, perhaps more questions from past Star Wars stories will be answered.
New episodes of The Bad Batch air Fridays on Disney+.
