Star Wars has plenty of great villains, all of whom have their defining traits. Ahsoka Tano's enemy Darth Vader was known for his ruthlessness and determination. Darth Maul was defined by rage and his need for revenge. Count Dooku was established as a pawn in Darth Sidious' Clone Wars. Even non-Sith nemeses like Boba Fett and Grand Moff Tarkin had qualities that made them memorable. But Grand Admiral Thrawn combined the best aspects of that villainous crowd.
Thrawn was just as ruthless as Vader, but he didn't take his subordinates for granted. He was strategically-minded like Tarkin, and he was always playing the long game like Darth Sidious. He became a fan-favorite character in both Legends and Star Wars canon. Now fans are highly anticipating his return in the Ahsoka series coming to Disney+, but they might want to temper their expectations.
Why Star Wars Fans Think Thrawn Will Be Ahsoka's Villain
Thrawn's first canon TV appearance was in Star Wars Rebels Season 3, Episode 1, "Steps Into Shadow, Part 1." From there, he became one of the animated series' main villains. His tactical expertise lured the Phoenix Squadron into many traps and his TIE Defender program would have spelled doom for the Rebellion if the factory hadn't been destroyed. Along the way, he became something of a nemesis for the show's hero Ezra Bridger.
In the two-part series finale "Family Reunion -- and Farewell," Thrawn was bent on destroying Lothal's capital city and Ezra was determined to stop him. Thrawn made Ezra come to his Star Destroyer, where the young Jedi met a hologram of Emperor Palpatine. Ezra didn't fall for their offers of an alternate reality and forced his way onto Thrawn's bridge. There, he summoned the pod of purrgil that took the ship off into the depths of Hyperspace -- and that was the last anyone saw of Thrawn.
Given the Rebels epilogue, fans know that Ahsoka and Sabine Wren went looking for Ezra after the Battle of Endor. Years later, Ahsoka still hadn't found him, which explains her absence from the original trilogy. During The Mandalorian, Ahsoka questioned Magistrate Elsbeth about Thrawn's whereabouts and she wouldn't give up any information. Because of that, many viewers have assumed Thrawn is keeping Ezra hostage in the Unknown Regions. However, it's likely the truth is much more complicated.
Why Thrawn Won't Be Ahsoka's Main Villain
It seems odd that Thrawn would still be holding Ezra hostage by the time Ahsoka begins. The Mandalorian was set in 9 ABY (after the Battle of Yavin), meaning that Thrawn and Ezra have been missing for a decade. Thrawn may have always played the long game, but waiting 10 years is a little too long. It's much more likely that he moved on to some other mission. Thrawn was never loyal to the Empire; by the Rebels finale, he was looking for a way to get back to the Chiss Ascendency. While he wasn't expecting to be taxied to the Unknown Regions by a pod of purrgil, it was a pretty convenient way for him to disappear.
It's even possible that he and Ezra joined forces against a common enemy. Thrawn was a villain because he was part of the Empire, but he was only following orders to eradicate the Rebels. With that mission out of mind, he would be refocused on protecting the Chiss people -- and protecting one's own was something also important to Ezra. Those two factors make it plausible that Thrawn is not Ahsoka's villain after all. When Ahsoka and Sabine find him and Ezra, the foursome could team up to face whoever the real antagonist will be, even if Thrawn probably won't be played by Christian Bale.
Ahsoka is expected to premiere on Disney+ in 2023.