Grand Admiral Thrawn has long since used his intellect to terrorize the “Star Wars” universe, but it wasn’t until “Star Wars Rebels” that Lucasfilm brought him into the new “Star Wars” canon. With “Ahsoka” gearing up for his introduction, not only is Thrawn finally making his live-action debut, but he’s doing so with the man behind his “Rebels” voice, Lars Mikkelsen.
“When David [Filoni] finally asked me if I wanted to do it, there were no doubts,” Mikkelsen told Entertainment Weekly about returning to Thrawn in “Ahsoka” after voicing the character in “Rebels.” “But, [as far as] the transition between ‘Rebels’ and the actual live-action character? I hope it works!” Although he isn’t sure how people will react to Thrawn in “Ahsoka,” Mikkelsen reassured fans that he and Filoni understood the importance of getting Thrawn right for his live-action debut.
Thankfully, Mikkelsen got a small preview of how fans will likely respond to the new Thrawn when Lucasfilm announced his return at “Star Wars” Celebration 2023. The reveal and having Mikkelsen walk out on stage at the “Ahsoka” panel drew thunderous applause from the audience, making it difficult for the actor to keep his composure. “It was a very emotional moment that I didn’t expect to have,” he said in the same interview, stating how much it meant to him to get that kind of reception from “Star Wars” fans. “I had a hard time actually keeping my tears back. I was really tearing up. I didn’t expect that.”
