Disney+ Has Opportunity to Re-Introduce Fans to Ahsoka Tano
The Mandalorian has been a revelation for Lucasfilm, and Disney. It’s success, critically and in their viewership, is undeniable; and stands as a reflection of the incredible attention to detail, care, and talent that went into developing it.
From the writing, to the directing, to the set design, to the acting; the series has been fantastic in every realm.
The success of the series has, for good reason, pushed Disney to explore where else the far reaches of the galaxy could bring similar success. The answer to that question lay firmly within The Mandalorian itself.
Jon Favreau, the brains behind the series, brought on the secret weapon that had been responsible for most of the relevance the Lucasfilm brand maintained prior to the Disney purchase; Dave Filoni.
Filoni was the mastermind behind the two highly successful Star Wars animated series, Clone Wars and Rebels. His creation had fleshed out corners of the Star Wars universe that had since then been left dormant.
It was Favreau, and The Mandalorian, that allowed Filoni to turn his animated universe, into a live action reality.
The Dark Saber, much of the Mandalorian history, Bo Katan, and other facets of The Mandalorian series go back to the creations of Filoni.
His work on the Disney animated series he helmed have been beloved by the fans who consumed it; while also becoming a near vital part of the star wars canon.
Filoni’s greatest creation, however, came in the form of one of Star Wars greatest creations; the Jedi Ahsoka Tano.
First created by Filoni for his Clone Wars series, Ahsoka was the Padawan entrusted to the guidance of Anakin Skywalker.
Affectionately referred to as “snips” by the Jedi Knight, Ahsoka’s fiery personality did well to contrast and encourage the respectable adult within the Anakin; who clearly has his own issues with authority.
Her character, throughout her run on the series, grew more and more, as she climbed the rank of the Jedi, and earned her place among the orders best. Her journey was tied to her master. She added to his fall to the dark side. She gave the struggling Jedi another thing to hold too close.
She grew from teenager, to leader, as the clone wars hardened the Jedi into a pillar of leadership for the Jedi order. This was until the framing of an attack against the Jedi expelled Ahsoka from the order.
She was ultimately proved innocent, but did not return; her destiny did not lie with the Jedi.
Following the destruction of the Jedi due to the inaction of Order 66, Ahsoka went into hiding, no longer affiliating with the Jedi way.
She returned to the Star Wars canon in the next Filoni series, Rebels, and fought alongside that team until a battle against her former master, now the feared and villainous Darth Vader, where she was presumed dead after being caught under a decimating temple.
This was the last Star Wars fans had seen of Tano; until The Mandalorian. Mando, seeing training for his child accomplice, Grogu, meets Tano.
He seeks her aid, aid she does not give. It was this appearance that pushed Disney to announce one of the next live action Disney+ series in development; Ahsoka.
The show presents Filoni, and Favreau to do what has needed to be done; re-introduce Star Wars fans to this exceptional character.
The animated series; both Clone Wars and Rebels, were fantastic; their audience, however, was not akin to the audience for a show like The Mandalorian. Ahsoka is, by every measure, one of Star Wars greatest developed characters.
She represents the embodiment of balance. She is the fiercest warrior, but has proven to be free from the clouded ways of the Jedi.
This series allows Disney to put this magnificent character front and center- for all Star Wars fans will be able to witness just why the character was so beloved by Clone Wars fans.
This is a golden opportunity for the Mandalorian creative team, and Filoni specifically, to allow Ahsoka to shine- and earn her place, as one of Star Wars greatest creations.