Dave Filoni was, at one time, working on an animated Star Wars Rebels sequel, but the success of The Mandalorian has resulted in that project becoming the live-action Ahsoka. While the spotlight will obviously be on Ahsoka Tano in the show, various characters from the Disney XD series will appear, including Hera Syndulla, Chopper, and Sabine Wren.
The latter will be played by Natasha Liu Bordizzo, and she recently reflected on her unique audition process while talking to The Hollywood Reporter (via SFFGazette.com).
"I had a scene from Top Gun to audition with, and I played this male pilot," she recalls. "I just knew it was a very elusive Jon Favreau-related project, and at this point, like most actors, for my own mental health, I sent off the tape and didn’t think about it again."
"And it was with [casting director] Sarah Finn, so I assumed it was something to do with Marvel because she usually does Marvel." Bordizzo added that she got the call about being cast while working with Jamie Foxx on Netflix's Day Shift, and it was then she started to delve into the character's history. Obviously, her research involved watching all of Star Wars Rebels.
Asked how important that series was to her journey, the actor says, "It was like, 'It’s obviously great if you watch the show,' but the live-action version is always going to be a completely new and fresh thing that has to find its own truth and not try to replicate what has been created, as much as we honor it and as much as we use it. It’s almost like a memory book; that’s what I feel Rebels is for me."
"It’s just this kind of free prep that I never even had to do as an actor because it’s all been done for me. My character’s memory is already recorded," Bordizzo continues. "So they encouraged it, but obviously, I did watch it because how could I not? So it’s somewhere in between."
As for what she loves about the character, she added: "Her unbelievable bravery, spirit and swag, amidst all the challenge and heartache of everything going on."
We're definitely excited to see what role Sabine plays in Ahsoka, and it appears she'll be key in the hunt for the missing Ezra Bridger. Given her Mandalorian background and ties to the Darksaber, she could also be a character who quite easily factors into The Mandalorian and other Star Wars TV shows set during this post-Return of the Jedi time period.
Stay tuned to SFFGazette.com for updates!