It was recently revealed that Disney+ will release Master and Apprentice, a standalone special exploring Anakin Skywalker's history with Ahsoka Tano, the same week as Ahsoka's fifth episode.
As you might expect, speculation has since run rampant Hayden Christensen is going to make his long-rumoured return as Anakin in the Dave Filoni-helmed instalment. After all, who better than him to finally take us back to the events of The Clone Wars?
Bespin Bulletin (via SFFGazette.com) has since shared an update revealing, "Anakin Skywalker is set to appear in the fifth episode of the Ahsoka series with that episode being directed by the series creator, Dave Filoni, and reportedly sits at a 49-minute runtime."
The site believes we are indeed getting a live-action flashback to The Clone Wars, along with scenes set on Mustafar and even some featuring Darth Vader. Perhaps the most intriguing part of this report, however, states that "Anakin speaks directly to Ahsoka through the World Between Worlds."
If correct, that's huge.
Remember, Anakin has only appeared as a Force Ghost on a single occasion since his death in Return of the Jedi, and that was when he stood alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda on Endor shortly after finding redemption. There was no sign of the fallen Jedi in the sequel trilogy, though a return was once considered.
While J.J. Abrams hinted in The Force Awakens that Vader had been communicating with his grandson, Kylo Ren, The Rise of Skywalker confirmed it was actually Emperor Palpatine posing as his former apprentice in an effort to manipulate the powerful Force-wielder.
The site cautions that everything they've shared should be taken as a rumour rather than confirmation. With that in mind, we'd advise not getting too excited; it definitely sounds like Christensen will only appear in a single episode of Ahsoka, anyway, debunking theories his Force Ghost will have a recurring presence.
The first two episodes of Ahsoka are now streaming on Disney+, with episode 3 set to follow next Tuesday.