Sith Lords like Darth Vader and Darth Maul are often touted as some of the more imposing villains in theStar Warsfranchise. However, there are some antagonists who pose just as much of a threat as the dark side faithfuls. Pulled into the officialStar Warscanon after an unforgettable debut in Timothy Zahn’s books from the 90s, Thrawn is one such villain.
After serving as one of the key threats inStar Wars Rebels, he’s making the long-awaited jump to live-action villain in the upcomingAhsokaseries. So, where did Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) story leave off inRebels? And now, why is Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) looking for the Empire’s long-lost grand admiral? Here’s what fans need to know.
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Who Is Thrawn?
During the age of the Galactic Empire,Thrawn served as Grand Admiralof the Imperial Navy — a rank bestowed upon him by Emperor Palpatine himself. On screen, fans first meet the Chiss officer inStar Wars Rebels, which initially centers on the rebellion happening on the planet Lothal. to dismantle said rebellion, the Empire sends in one of their best and brightest: Grand Admiral Thrawn, commanding officer of the 7th fleet and its flagship,Chimaera. Ever-calculated, Thrawn believes that knowing one’s enemies is the key to victory, something he proves time and again when outmaneuvering Hera Syndulla’srebel cell.
Originally an Expanded Universe (EU) character, Thrawn was once a deep-cut name-drop. But thanks to his high-profile appearance inRebels, many more fans have become familiar with the art-appreciating tactician.
Did Thrawn Know Vader Was Anakin?
Yes, Thrawnknows Darth Vader was once Anakin Skywalker. Before joining the Galactic Empire, Thrawn was a commanding officer on his homeworld. Believing an alliance with the Empire would prove beneficial to the Chiss, he assimilated into the order, and graduated from the Imperial academy on Coruscant. After rising quickly through the ranks, Thrawn became one of Palpatine’s most-trusted servants. In fact, Thrawn even joined the Emperor’s Sith apprentice, Darth Vader, on an all-important mission to save Force-sensitive Chiss.
But that’s not the first time the two worked together. During the Clone Wars, Anakin and Thrawn crossed paths near Baatu. The Jedi Knight clued Thrawn into what was happening in the Galactic Republic — that the Republic’s clone troopers and the Jedi were fighting the Separatist droid army — and employed his help in searching for a missingPadmé Amidala. Later, Thrawn even aids Anakin and Padmé in their mission to destroy a droid factory. When Thrawn deduces that Anakin is a Jedi warrior, the Force-user claims that’s obvious, but Thrawn replies in a characteristically blunt fashion:
“Not at all. Our myths of the Republic speak of two groups of beings with such powers: the Jedi, and the Sith. But the Sith are reputed to be clever and capable warriors.”
Nonetheless, Anakin ends up being impressed with Thrawn, and sings his praises to then-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. During the Empire’s reign, Thrawn is one of the few characters to know the truth about Darth Vader’s former identity — that he was once thecourageous and cunning Anakin Skywalker.
Was Thrawn Ever Defeated?
Although Thrawn was killed in what’s now consideredStar WarsLegends material, he is still alive in Disney’s soft reboot — a.k.a. theStar Warscanon. Even so, the cunning Thrawn has technically been defeated in battle. Although, the two times he’s been outmaneuvered inRebelsstand out for their unconventional moments.
During the Battle of Atollon, the Bendu — an ancient, Force-sensitive being — wreaked havoc on both the rebels and the Imperial forces. The last time viewers saw Thrawn, in the series finale ofRebels, also counts as his second defeat. Much like Bendu’s interference in the Battle of Atollon, Thrawn’s ultimate defeat on Lothal was rather unorthodox.
Thrawn And The Purrgil, Explained
After Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger and the rebel cell led by theGhost’s captain, Hera Syndulla, and thelate Jedi Knight Kanan Jarruscapture the Empire’s Governor Pryce, Thrawn returns to Lothal to stamp out the rebels once and for all. While Thrawn may have the rebels outgunned, something unexpected does get through his blockade. At Ezra’s command, theGhostsummons a flock of purrgil to break Thrawn’s blockade and assault his flagship.
That’s right: those space whales that appeared fleetingly in the whoosh of hyperspace in Season 3 ofThe Mandalorianhad a huge moment in theStar Wars Rebelsfinale. When the purrgil arrive, Ezra is on the bridge of theChimaera, Thrawn’s flagship. “Whatever happens next happens to both of us,” Thrawn tells Ezra as the purrgil wrap their tentacles around the ship.
The purrgil proceed to pull theChimaera, Ezra, and Thrawn into hyperspace. According to onlookers, the ship and those on it vanished as if into thin air. With Thrawn gone, the rebels retake Lothal, and eventuallyovercome the Empireat the Battle of Endor. In the show’s epilogue, it’s clear that both Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano are interested in finding out what happened to Ezra Bridger and Thrawn.
Is Thrawn Going To Be In Ahsoka?
Thrawn is confirmed to appea in the live-actionAhsokaseries. AtStar WarsCelebration, Lucasfilm and Disney confirmed that the character’s long-time voice actor,Lars Mikkelsen, will reprise the role. WhileStar WarsCanon material confirms that both Thrawn and Ezra survived their sojourn into hyperspace, their precise whereabouts remain unknown.
Given the ending ofRebels, fans have been wondering for some time ifAhsokaand Sabine will succeed in their efforts to locate Ezra. Season 2 ofThe Mandalorianhinted that said journey will be a big component of the upcoming Ahsoka series. In the fifth episode ofThe Mandalorian’s second season, fans get their first glimpse at live-action Ahsoka Tano. Lying low on the planet Corvus, Ahsoka hopes to liberate a town from the oppressive magistrate, Morgan Elsbeth.
When Din Djarin arrives, eager to return Grogu to his own Force-sensitive kind, he helps Ahsoka in her mission. After battling Elsbeth, Ahsoka questions her, asking about Grand Admiral Thrawn. Given thatAhsoka is so interested in Thrawn, it likely means she hasn’t completed her mission of finding Ezra, even though roughly four years have passed. Since Ezra and Thrawn were pulled into hyperspace together, it only makes sense that knowing more about Thrawn will aid Ahsoka (and Sabine).
Of course, there are stillplenty of questions begging to be answered. Is the magistrate an old student of Thrawn’s, or has he managed to cobble together some power and influence since his disappearance? Does Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) actually answer to Thrawn? And will Grand Admiral Thrawn once again prove himself worthy of being one of Emperor Palpatine’s most-trusted allies by helping him make his eventual return in theStar Warssequel trilogy? Here’s hopingAhsokawill hold all the answers.
