Star Wars Rebels ended on a massive cliffhanger when Jedi Ezra Bridger and the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn vanished after being dragged into hyperspace by the ancient purrgil. That was where we them, though there were rumours a few years ago about Dave Filoni developing an animated sequel series.
Since then, Ahsoka Tano has shown up in The Mandalorian (and The Book of Boba Fett), with that series making it clear Thrawn is still very much alive and up to no good.
That obviously means Ezra survived as well, and Disney+'s live-action Ahsoka now looks set to tell that story. A few months ago, it was confirmed that Eman Esfandi has been tapped to play the live-action version of that character, but there's still no official word on who will bring Thrawn to life.
There has, of course, been chatter online that Lars Mikkelsen, who voiced the Grand Admiral in Star Wars Rebels, is Lucasfilm's top choice for the role. Now, Making Star Wars (via SFFGazette.com) is claiming to have confirmed that casting with multiple sources from Ahsoka's set.
"Lars Mikkelsen is playing Thrawn with haunting red eyes and all," the site notes, hinting at a series-accurate physical transformation for the actor. Most of the Ghost's crew are expected to be brought to life with new actors (Mary Elizabeth Winstead is rumoured to be playing Hera Syndulla, for example), but we are glad to hear Mikkelsen is back as Thrawn.
The actor made Thrawn terrifying even in animation, and he definitely has the right look to play the blue-skinned baddie in this series. Some fans believe he's the one pulling Moff Gideon's strings, orchestrating events on behalf of the fallen Emperor Palpatine and his fractured Empire.
If so, it would tie a lot of loose threads together and answer some big questions, so fingers crossed that Mikkelsen's involvement in Ahsoka is made official sooner rather than later.
Ahsoka is currently set to premiere on Disney+ next year.