In an exclusive interview with Lars Mikkelsen, the Star Wars actor revealed how Grand iral Thrawn will be different in Ahsoka compared to his animated portrayal in Star Wars Rebels. A classic Legends character brought back to the official canon in 2016 with Rebels, the sinister Imperial's return has been teased in shows such as The Mandalorian. Now, the first trailer for Ahsoka has confirmed that Thrawn is set to make his live-action debut in the series played by Mikkelsen (who voiced the Grand iral in Rebels).
Speaking exclusively with Screen Rant at Star Wars Celebration 2023, Mikkelsen noted that there will be inherent changes between his portrayal of Thrawn in animation compared to this new opportunity to fully step into the role in Ahsoka. According to Mikkelsen, who received a standing ovation when showrunner Dave Filoni confirmed his return as Thrawn at Star Wars Celebration, adaptation has been key in bringing Thrawn to life, while still maintaining the core of the Grand iral's character. Check out the interview clip below:
Thankfully, Mikkelsen reassures Star Wars fans that the iconic voice he gave Thrawn in Rebels won't be changed, though other elements certainly might.
What To Expect From Thrawn After Star Wars Rebels
It's important to note that Grand iral Thrawn's experiences between his last appearance in Rebels and Ahsoka are largely unknown. Likewise, the interim period between the two shows on the Star Wars timeline is around 14-15 years, and it's widely believed that Thrawn was lost in the Unknown Regions for the majority of that time. In the series finale of Rebels, Thrawn was sent to this uncharted section of the galaxy thanks to Jedi Ezra Bridger and his connection with a pod of space whales known as purrgil.
Keeping that in mind, it stands to reason that Grand iral Thrawn may have been changed during his absence from the known galaxy, especially if he found Darth Vader and Palpatine dead and the Empire in disarray upon his return. While the Ahsoka trailer reveals that Thrawn is being set up as "Heir to the Empire," it's unlikely that that particular title was earned lightly. Perhaps Thrawn has had to become even more ruthless given the desperation of the Imperial Remnant in the face of the New Republic and its heroes.
At any rate, it's very exciting to hear Mikkelsen share his excitement about playing Grand iral Thrawn in live-action, as well as the attention and ion that's being put in to make sure his portrayal in Ahsoka is done well. While there may be some changes between the two versions of Grand iral, it certainly seems as though Thrawn will still be Thrawn at his core (regardless of the medium). It certainly helps that the iconic Star Wars villain wasn't recast after Mikkelsen's beloved work providing the voice in Rebels.