Disney+ Confirms Rosario Dawson As Ahsoka Tano

The Star Wars universe has many great characters. Ahsoka Tano is definitely one of them. Originally an annoying, whining brat apprentice to Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars TV show, she quickly matured into one of the best developed female characters of Star Wars, and a fan favorite. Featured primarily in The Clone Wars and Rebels, it has long been wondered if she would ever make a live action appearance. Now that The Mandalorian is in full swing, it has now been confirmed that not only will Ahsoka Tano be guest starring in season 2, but she will be portrayed by amazing actress Rosario Dawson.

"Who is Rosario Dawson?" I hear you ask. Among a string of roles that include the voices of Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in the DC Animated Movie Universe, and Barbara Gorden / Batgirl in The Lego Batman Movie, she is more recently known for her work as Claire Temple on the Marvel/Netflix MCU TV shows. A certified badass, she is certainly a fitting choice for Ahsoka Tano and no doubt has that spark of defiance and flair that the character is known for.

Born on the planet Shili, Ahsoka Tano was discovered by Jedi Master Plo Koon and entered into the Jedi Order. Being brought up in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, she was later assigned to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker by Grand Master Yoda. Although initially resentful, Anakin gradually grew to respect his padawan, and during the Clone Wars, Ahsoka became a highly skilled and adept fighter. Unfortunately, during the bombing of the Jedi Temple, she was framed by Barriss Offee, who believed that the Jedi Order had become corrupt and evil. When Ahsoka was pardoned, she made the hard decision to leave the order, walking away from the invitation from the Jedi Council and Anakin to rejoin, instead opting to become a Force-sensitive outcast.

Like many Jedi, Ahsoka Tano survived Order 66, faking her death, and was ultimately instrumental in aiding the Rebellion. After the Galactic Civil War, she joined Mandalorian Sabine Wren to search for Sabine's companion Ezra Bridger. While it would be amazing to have a live-action or animated TV show titled The Search for Ezra, we have no idea of what happened during this search or even if Disney are working on any material for it. Perhaps Ahsoka and Sabine will both be present on one of the worlds the Mandalorian visits, in his own search for Yoda's race? This would give some continuity between the events of The Mandalorian and Rebels, and also provide an exciting tidbit for fans who have watched all of Ahsoka's adventures, as well as insight into how the search for Ezra is coming along. Since the Rebels epilogue and The Mandalorian happen in relatively the same time period, a new series starring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano alongside another actress as Sabine Wren would be amazing. A popular theory is that Sasha Banks, also cast for The Mandalorian, in an undisclosed role, could be playing Sabine.

With the Skywalker saga over, there are plenty of opportunities for other, more interesting and less cliché characters to step into the spotlight. Rebels is full of these, and although Ahsoka Tano only guest starred on that show, her overall story has shown she is definitely less of a “white knight” and more of an independent, tough badass. We have no information about to what extent Rosario Dawson will be playing Ahsoka Tano, whether it will be a single episode or multiple, or even if she will be portraying the character in other movies or TV shows beyond The Mandalorian. But in any case, with Dawson's track record revealing her amazing talent, we can be sure that her role on The Mandalorian will be something to look out for.

Written By Andy Bain

Syndicated From Culture Slate