Lars Mikkelsen refuses to answer when asked about making his live-action debut as Thrawn in The Mandalorian before Ahsoka. Mikkelsen, who voiced the brilliant Imperial tactician Rebels, is reprising the fan-favorite villain. The Ahsoka trailer, which debuted at Star Wars Celebration, showed he will make his highly anticipated return in the upcoming Star Wars series.
However, Thrawn could make his live-action debut before Ahsoka. The Mandalorian has been setting up the lingering threat of the Empire by showing survivors sabotaging the New Republic. The Mandalorian has set up both Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett, which would make it the perfect place to reveal this looming threat. After the Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration, Screen Rant asked Mikkelsen about his upcoming debut as Thrawn, but he kept his cards close to his vest. Check out Mikkelsen’s reaction when asked about appearing as Thrawn before Ahsoka:
Screen Rant: Does live-action Thrawn make his first appearance in Ahsoka, or could we see him pop up sooner?
Lars Mikkelsen: I cannot answer that.
Thrawn’s Live-Action Debut Could Be Sooner Than Expected
The Mandalorian has laid the groundwork for the threats to the New Republic, including the chaos in the Outer Rim, the same bureaucracy that led to the downfall of the Republic, and the lingering threats of those still loyal to the Empire. Moff Gideon has been missing throughout season three, having apparently broken out of his prison transport ship. The sabotage and chaos that are being spread through the galaxy seem tactical, which is a trademark of Thrawn.
This era of Star Wars will culminate in an event film directed by Dave Filoni. While he seems to be the main villain in Ahsoka, Thrawn could prove to be the next major threat in Star Wars, similar to Darth Vader and Palpatine. If this is the case, he will likely appear in multiple series.
By debuting in The Mandalorian, Filoni and Favreau could set the stage for just how dangerous and powerful Thrawn is. The Mandalorian is also an opportunity to connect Thrawn to one of the most dangerous Imperial threats that still holds power after the fall of the Empire, Moff Gideon. Both Moff Gideon and Thrawn were high-ranking Imperials, and given their similar penchant for military tactics, bringing them together in The Mandalorian could show a centralized power for the surviving pieces of the Empire.
