TLDR: Lucasfilm currently has the means to finally feature really diverse fleets without having ILM create new assets, and they should do it.
It’s no secret that everyone here really likes fleet engagements with a ton of variety on either side. It’s common to see this sort of thing with the Rebels, but usually with the Empire it’s simply a Star Destroyer and TIE/ln fighters.
But right now, ILM has high-quality, up-to-date assets of so many GCW-era ships that it would be such a waste not to include them all in a battle sequence side-by-side.
Let’s run through them, and where they come from. THE IDEAL SPACE BATTLE SEQUENCE IN MY OPINION WILL CONTAIN:
The New Republic
- X-Wing: Used in everything already. But now ILM also has the ion cannon variant from Skeleton Crew, and should throw those in. Concept art for Mando S1 even had T-70s flying alongside T-65s, and they’re very much in service by this point. Use those as well!!
- Y-Wing: Also used in everything, most recently in The Mandalorian and Grogu. ILM has two variants of it right now iirc, the one in The Mandalorian and the one in Andor with different forward laser cannons. Use them both!
- A-Wing: Used most recently in Ahsoka, and will probably be used in season 2’s fleet scenes.
- U-Wing: Used most recently (and given a slight facelift for) Andor, and will soon show up in Mandalorian and Grogu.
- B-Wing: Brand new CG asset, created for Skeleton Crew! Use it!
- E-Wing: Brand new asset, redesigned and created for Ahsoka. In the concept art reel, we already know this one will be used in battle scenes.
- Nebulon-B: This shows up in everything, keep that up.
- CR90 Corvette: Same here, no doubt it’ll keep being used.
- MC80a: Brand new Home One asset created for Ahsoka, and will likely be used extensively in season 2. But it isn’t the only MC80a, let’s see some more!
- Defender-class Cruiser: This is a new one, and it’s awesome. Same deal as the MC80a, I’m sure this one is being used in Ahsoka S2’s space battles already.
- Braha’tok-Class Gunship: Used in most things involving the Rebel Fleet already.
- Sphyrna-Class Corvette: Same deal here
- MC95: Though this was created for The Rise of Skywalker, it also appears in the New Republic fleet during the Battle of Var-Shaa as seen in the SW Squadrons short “Hunted”, created by ILM. If it’s canonically a New Republic ship, why not use it?
The Imperial Remnant
- TIE Fighter: I mean, duh.
- TIE Interceptor: We recently got a live action facelift for these in The Mandalorian Season 3 after their appearance in “Hunted”. They’re ready, put them in!
- TIE Bomber: Same deal here. Very recently used in Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian.
- TIE Reaper: Created for Rogue One, but also used in Hunted. Probably doesn’t need an update.
- TIE Avenger: This doesn’t have to appear at all since it’s likely gone by now, but they have the asset at least if they wanted to use it!
- TIE Advanced v1: Same deal as the Avenger.
- Gozanti-class Freighter: Not only do we have a high-detail version from The Mandalorian, but the scanner variant from Andor season 2 could also be included.
- Arquitens-class 546 Cruiser: This Arquitens variant is new with The Mandalorian, and it would be so cool to see some proper support ships alongside ISDs.
- Raider-class Corvette: It appears in Hunted, so ILM have a high-quality asset of it! This can absolutely be included.
- ISD I-class: Though I’d prefer a proper II-class be used, ILM doesn’t have one. The closest thing they have is the II-class Frankenstein they created for Hunted using their I-class model. I’d prefer they didn’t use that one.
Let me know if I’ve missed anything! The visual effects department has a gargantuan sandbox of toys from both factions to play with, and I hope they do.