Will Ahsoka Tano Be On The Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi Show?
Despite the two-steps-forward-one-step-back development strategy on Disney and Lucasfilm's promised Obi-Wan Kenobi series, new information and rumors continue to trickle out. This latest bit of intel should definitely be filed in the "wild rumor" folder, but it's too enticing a possibility not to consider.
Ever since the Mouse House announced that its long-gestating Obi-Wan Kenobi project had morphed into a limited series destined to stream on Disney+, fans have been wondering what that might entail. Per previous leaks, we already know that the series will take place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope in the Star Wars timeline. This period has been previously explored in ancillary media outside the flagship film series, most notably in the popular animated spin-off show Star Wars: Rebels, which marked the return of several fan-favorite characters from the earlier Clone Wars animated series. Fans are now wondering if, given the overlap, we can expect to see some of those characters realized in live action via the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series.
According to unconfirmed reports by The Illuminerdi, at least one central figure from the animated series might be appearing on the Obi-Wan project — and it's someone who's already been cast to appear on The Mandalorian season 2. If this rumor proves correct, then fans can look forward to at least two separate appearances of Rosario Dawson as the heroic Ahsoka Tano.
Ahsoka Tano makes sense for both The Mandalorian and the Obi-Wan show
Given the popularity of the character, rumors have been swirling about her live-action future with the franchise. Ahsoka's first appearance as Anakin Skywalker's young padawan during the Clone Wars series was a major hit with audiences — so much so that writers decided to bring her back in adult form for the animated follow-up, Rebels. Ahsoka's forthcoming appearance on The Mandalorian season 2 will provide viewers with a window into an as-yet unexplored time period in her Jedi career. In the franchise timeline, The Mandalorian takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, placing it years — if not decades – after the plot of the Obi-Wan series.
While Dawson's role on season 2 of the popular bounty hunter Western has already been confirmed by official outlets, the Obi-Wan show might actually be an even better fit given what we already know about the character. During the intermission between Sith and Hope, Obi-Wan is supposedly meditating on Tatooine to commune with his deceased master, Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace), while keeping at least one eye on the infant Luke Skywalker. At this time, Rebels has already shown us that Ahsoka is an important leader in the rebellion, so it would make sense that she might seek out her former master's master for a bit of advice on how to take Darth Vader down.
Ahsoka Tano is one of the most important Star Wars characters who hasn't appeared in any of the films
It's interesting to consider Ahsoka's importance to the Star Wars universe in light of the fact that she hasn't yet appeared in any of the franchise's live-action iterations. Until Dawson was cast to take on the role on The Mandalorian season 2, Ahsoka Tano existed only in animated form.
The character is a Togruta from the planet Shili, who tags along with Anakin Skywalker on the pilot episode of The Clone Wars and eventually becomes his official padawan apprentice. She grows into one of the most powerful canonical Jedis, and leads the Empire against her former master after he turns to the dark side. She's had memorable face-offs with all the franchise legends, including the dark lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. In recent years, the character has proliferated across formats, and the casting of a Hollywood heavyweight like Dawson suggests the company has big plans for Ahsoka.
The Obi-Wan project was put on hold in January 2020 so the team could complete rewrites, so any speculation regarding specific plot points or release date is probably premature. Still, the possibility of a second live-action Ahsoka appearance on Disney+ is tantalizing enough to merit mention. There's no telling how accurate The Illuminerdi's report is, so we'll be keeping our collective ears to the ground for more official confirmation on this one.