Ahsoka writer and producer Dave Filoni explained how Mandalorian writer and showrunner Jon Favreau has impacted the upcoming Disney+ series.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Filoni remarked on the sprawling story that he has composed in writing every episode of Ahsoka. "I have various charts, and outlines, and graphs, and so many things that I work on and connect, as I've always done," Filoni said. He then brought up working with The Mandalorian creator, saying, "[Favreau] is great because he's really enhanced the way I write. He's able to point things out from a perspective of not being so deep in the weeds of Ahsoka's history and every little bit of the animation. I need that point of view."
"When it comes time to finally do it it is a bit intimidating because that is then the way it will be," Filoni continued. "And you just have to work at this stuff as much as you possibly can before it’s set in concrete." In the same interview, Filoni also commented on his concerns about bringing the now-iconic Jedi to life and whether or not it would be "believable." He said, "You've got these strange head tails and horns. It looks great in animation, but suddenly you're making this a main character and it's a big question." However, his worries ceased when Dawson showed up on set in her Ahsoka costume.
"As soon as she showed up on set in the costume, she was the character," he said. "I had this tremendous sense of relief, which was, 'Okay, so I don't need to worry about that. Ahsoka's going to be Ahsoka, I'm going to focus on everything else going on, and I'll advise her when she needs it.' But she really gets it."
Ahsoka Tano, who was co-created by Filoni with franchise creator George Lucas, first appeared in 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated film before going on to star in the animated series of the same name. Introduced as the Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker himself, Ahsoka quickly became a fan favorite among the cast.
Voice by Ashley Eckstein during her animated appearances, Ahsoka made her live-action debut in Season 2, Episode 5 of The Mandalorian, portrayed by Rosario Dawson. Dawson went on to reprise the role for subsequent appearances on The Book of Boba Fett, appearing first in Episode 6. It was announced in December 2020 that Ahsoka would receive her own live-action Disney+ series, which reportedly began filming in April 2022 under the working title, "Stormcrow." Fans have already been given a few glimpses of the production currently underway courtesy of behind-the-scenes photos from the set.
Dawson will be joined in Ahsoka by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who has been signed on in a still undisclosed role. Previously, Winstead starred as Huntress in 2020's Birds of Prey and her role was announced by her partner and Obi-Wan Kenobi star Ewan McGregor.
Ahsoka is currently slated to premiere on Disney+ sometime in 2023.
Source: Vanity Fair