Okay, let’s get something out of the way right now: I’m not usually one to jump on the Star Wars rumor mill bandwagon… still, this one intrigued me. But let me be clear: We are NOT reporting this as fact, nor are we making something up and saying “our sources tell us” like some other sites are reputed to do. (*coughcoughWeGotThisCoveredcoughcough*) This is purely a “there’s a rumor out there, and it would be really cool if it were true,” “what-if” kind of article. That being said… There’s an un-sourced rumor that we might see Chloe Bennet as Doctor Aphra in The Mandalorian, Season 2.
Speculation has been running rampant when it comes to The Mandalorian Season 2. The appearance of the Darksaber in Season 1’s finale makes us wonder if we’ll see some familiar Mandalorians (Sabine Wren, Bo-Katan Kryze, for instance) in the sophomore season. It’s the likely-fake, Season 2 cast photo above that’s peaked our interest, however. It shows the returning cast and purported newcomers. Among them is Chloe Bennet (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Doctor Aphra.
Could Doctor Aphra appear in The Mandalorian Season 2?
Normally these supposed cast photos amount to nothing more than fan desire and speculation. But…. Let’s look at this one a little more closely, shall we? First, Bennet’s S.H.I.E.L.D. co-star Ming-Na Wen appeared in Season 1 of The Mandalorian as Fennic Shand. It’s no stretch for an actor to recommend a co-star for a role in their latest production. (Just ask Oscar Isaac and Pedrol Pascal.) Plus, we know there is a new Doctor Aphra comic series coming in April.
Looks like the Star Wars cat is out of the bag! I’m writing the new Doctor Aphra comics! ✨🖤 So excited to work with @MarikaCresta, @TincekMarince, @MarkPaniccia, & @TommyGWrites on this!! https://t.co/lPg9T3f2uh
— Alyssa Wong 🌈💫 (@crashwong) October 25, 2019
Writer Alyssa Wong confirmed Aphra’s return to Marvel Comics back in October. Aphra has already had one series, and it propelled the character to instant popularity among the Star Wars fan base. It would make sense to bring her back for as much exposure as possible. In fact, it was first rumored she’d be getting her own series. Perhaps an appearance in The Mandalorian Season 2 will kick that off.
The Mandalorian’s setting is also perfect for a Doctor Aphra appearance. The lawlessness of the Outer Rim in the aftermath of the Empire perfectly suites the morally ambiguous, ne’er-do-well, “rogue archaeologist” we’ve come to know and love through the comics. Plus, well, there’s the fact that the new-look Aphra, in the cover image for Issue #1, bears a pretty-close resemblance to one Ms. Chloe Bennet:
(Don’t forget: Marvel takes great steps to ensure its comic characters resemble their real-life counterparts. Look no further than Jessica Henwick’s Jess Pava in the Poe Dameron series.)
Again, this is all speculation. If the rumor is true, however, and Chloe Bennet does end up playing Doctor Aphra in The Mandalorian Season 2? Consider us all-in.
The Mandalorian Season 2 is currently in production.
2 Responses
I hope not! She’s so bad in AOS i had to stop watching because of her. Her acting got worse through the seasons and she’s done a bunch of stuff to her face that made her look like a completely different person. . She dates racist youtubers–DONT DO IT MANDALORIAN!!
I would much rather see Chloe Benet as Sabine Wren.