After the Star Wars expanded universe was officially decanonized with Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm, many were outraged to see iconic characters and lore left behind. The Mandalorian has since brought several popular characters from animation and the expanded universe into live-action - including Ahsoka Tano, Bo-Katan Kryze, and more.
Since beginning her journey as the young Padawan to Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars, Ahsoka returned in Rebels as a far more mature and seasoned Jedi. She later made her live-action debut in The Mandalorian - played by Daredevil's Rosario Dawson - which teased her hunt for Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Having initially been introduced in the expanded universe, the Empire Grand Admiral made his first canon appearance in Star Wars: Rebels. The Chiss villain was defeated by Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger in the animated finale, with the two of them last seen jetting off into the great unknown of hyperspace together.
With Ahsoka on the hunt for Thrawn, and presumably Ezra, both are expected to play starring roles in her Disney+ solo series. Actors have yet to be confirmed for either role, even with filming supposedly right around the corner, with one widely-believed casting rumor having just been seemingly debunked.
Star Wars Rumor Debunks Thrawn Casting Reports
Last year, LRM Online reported that the Ahsoka Disney+ series had cast Aladdin's Mena Massoud as Ezra Bridger, with Lars Mikkelsen reprising his Star Wars: Rebels voice-over role as Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Popular insider MyTimeToShineHello has now hinted to the contrary that casting has only just been completed for Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Meanwhile, Cinelinx editor-in-chief Jordan Maison claimed that last he had heard, despite previous reports, Mikkelson wouldn't be reprising his role as Thrawn.
Who Will Play Thrawn and Ezra in Ahsoka?
It goes without saying that, for now, all rumors regarding the casting of Thrawn and Ezra are just that - rumors. Ahsoka was last reported to begin filming in late April this year, aka the next few days, meaning casting ought to follow in the near future.
Lars Mikkelsen has recently starred, on a voluntary basis, in Shrouded Destiny, a fan-made and crowd-funded Star Wars series. With the Danish actor having been the favorite to bring Thrawn to live-action due to his voice-over role as the villain in Rebels, it's possible his appearance in an unofficial Star Wars project sabotaged those chances.
Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs and Doctor Strange's Benedict Cumberbatch have both seen their names thrown into the mix of Thrawn casting speculation. Cumberbatch, unfortunately, dashed hopes by revealing his lack of interest in being painted blue, but Isaacs remains a possibility.
The British star previously shared his desire to bring his own Rebels villain, the Grand Inquisitor, into live-action. Sadly, that role has since gone to Rupert Friend in Obi-Wan Kenobi, but his interest in returning to Star Wars for a live-action role could make him a contender for Ahsoka's Thrawn.
In terms of Ezra Bridger, Mena Massoud may still be in contention for the role, after all, his Aladdin role means he has a history with Disney, he bears resemblance to the young Jedi, and he has already heavily campaigned for the part.
Only time will tell who will play Ezra and Thrawn in Ahsoka, but both are expected to play significant roles in both the Disney+ series and future projects.
Ahsoka is expected to begin filming this month in preparation for a 2023 premiere, exclusively on Disney+.
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