The Mandalorianis one of the most successfulStar Warsprojects of all time, but it almost didn’t happen because ofStar Wars Rebels. The fascination with Mandalore, and the Mandalorian people, dates all the way back to the original trilogy and fans' love of Boba Fett.
Not only doesThe Mandalorianhave deep ties to otherStar Warstitles like the prequel trilogy andStar Wars: The Clone Wars, but it also actively expands on those stories and further enriches the world.
Mandalore is a planet that has been engaged in civil wars for generations, causing the surface of the world to become barren, with most inhabitants living within domes on the planet’s surface.The Mandaloriandoesn’t just further explore the planet’s history, but also its customs and prominent figures who have appeared in various projects, likeBo-Katan Kryze.
However,The Mandalorianwasn’t the first time an entire storyline focused on Mandalore. In fact, it was first done inThe Clone Wars- butRebelsseason 3 has almost an entire season dedicated to enriching audiences' knowledge of Mandalore.
Star Wars Rebels' Mandalore Arc Wasn’t Planned To Happen
But We’re So Happy It Did
Rebelsseason 3 has a few major themes and arcs that span the entire season. These include the introduction ofGrand Admiral Thrawn, Darth Maul’s final arc and eventual death, and Sabine Wren’s arc on Mandalore. It’s worth noting thatall of these storylines intersect heavily, and there is causation between them.
Rebelswriter Henry Gilroy revealed at DragonCon 2018 thatRebelsseason 3 was originally supposed to focus on theImperial Inquisitorsand their origins. Gilroy explained that these plans were eventually altered to focus more heavily on Maul’s final arc and his search for Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, Gilroy noted thatthe Mandalore arc was a beneficiary of this shifttoward Maul.
It was explained that the writers and Lucasfilm were looking to write a more Sabine Wren-centered storyline, since the character was so popular. Because ofMaul’s connection to Mandalore through his holding of the Darksaber, this was the perfect way to connect these storylines.
Without this connection, much of what was set up inThe Mandalorianwouldn’t have come to pass, especially with characters like Bo-Katan.
The Mandalore arc inRebelsprovideda much-needed look at the state of the planetand the people during the reign of the Empire. It showed parts of their customs, their strong familial ties, and a sense of duty to one another and their planet. Additionally, it brought the Darksaber back into play in a major way that set up the blade’s future.
Mandalore’s Return Was Inevitable
If It Wasn’t In Rebels, It Would’ve Been Somewhere Else
The fascination with Mandalorians isn’t anything new. In fact,fans' interest in Boba Fett essentially launched any and all stories that have been told about Mandaloreand its people.Star Warsfirst expanded our knowledge of Mandalore inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, where the planet was introduced through Duchess Satine Kryze and her relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
It was clear from how well these Clone Wars episodes were received, as well as sustained interest from the movies, thatStar Warscouldn’t stay away from Mandalore for long.
The Clone Warsshowedhow Mandalore struggled with staying peaceful, and how groups likeDeath Watchsabotaged any chance of peace and pacifism that they had. It was clear from how well theseClone Warsepisodes were received, as well as sustained interest from the movies, thatStar Warscouldn’t stay away from Mandalore for long.
There was too much potential and fascination with Mandalore and its people for it to be ignored. IfRebelshadn’t explored the planet through Sabine Wren and her obtaining the Darksaber,Star Warswould likely have found a different project to return to Mandalore in.
The Darksaber has appeared inThe Clone Wars,Rebels,The Mandalorian, andThe Book of Boba Fett, but was destroyed inThe Mandalorianseason 3.
Without Rebels' Mandalore Return, Would The Mandalorian Have Ever Happened?
It’s A Complicated Answer
The Mandalorianis obviously a great show that has deep connections to previous Mandalorian stories that have been told. There’s no doubt that a show about a Mandalorian would’ve been made eventually, butit’s likely that withoutRebels,the story we all know and love would’ve been very different.
Rebels’use of the Darksaber as a plot point allowed for Bo-Katan to come intoThe Mandalorianwith a goal, and it ultimately made her character better. There would have had to be a lot more legwork done byThe Mandalorianif they wanted to tell the same story.At the very least, a story set in theNew Republic eramight have been harder to achieve.
The Mandalorianis one of the most importantStar Warstitles in recent years because it became such a cultural phenomenon, but it’s unlikely we would’ve gotten the same story without the Mandalore arc inRebelsseason 3.
It’s easy to say two different shows don’t affect each other that much, but it’s clear that ifStar Warshadn’t changed its mind and created the Mandalore arc inStar WarsRebels,thenThe Mandalorianmight not be what it is.
