A Surprising Inspiration: Unveiling Rosario Dawson's Secret Source for Ahsoka in Star Wars

Highlights

Rosario Dawson reveals that her character, Ahsoka Tano, in the upcoming live-action Star Wars series draws inspiration from Gandalf's character growth in Lord of the Rings.

In the series, fans can anticipate witnessing Ahsoka's evolution and personal growth, as she showcases her leadership skills while also leaving space for further development. Dawson enthusiastically praises Dave Filoni's upcoming Star Wars film, recognizing his exceptional talent and highlighting his ability to transfer his learnings from animation to the live-action format.

Rosario Dawson, the actor who portrays Ahsoka, has shared an unconventional source of inspiration that influenced her portrayal of the character in her upcoming Star Wars series. The announcement of "Ahsoka" was made in December 2020, confirming it as a live-action series for Disney Plus. Dawson will be reprising the role of Ahsoka Tano, a beloved character introduced in the 2008 TV series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." The new series will follow Ahsoka's journey after the collapse of the Galactic Empire, as she delves into a mysterious threat to the galaxy. "Ahsoka" is a collaborative effort between Dave Filoni, the supervising director of "The Clone Wars," and Jon Favreau, the creator of "The Mandalorian."

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming project, Dawson expressed her enthusiasm for the progress of Star Wars: Ahsoka, providing uplifting updates for fans. She delved into the inspiration driving her portrayal of Ahsoka and teased the exciting developments awaiting her character's journey from the original animated series. "In the animation, you witnessed her ascend to the white form, yet what fascinated me was the concept that there existed another level to her," Dawson revealed in her conversation with EW. "Dave [Filoni] and I extensively discussed the parallels with Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White – exploring that transformative process and acknowledging her outstanding leadership qualities while recognizing her ongoing potential for growth."

Gandalf, a key figure in the highly acclaimed Lord of the Rings universe, takes on different forms, with the distinction being made through color-based naming. Among the differences between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White, one fascinating aspect is Gandalf's enhanced mental clarity, focus, and significantly improved mastery over his abilities. While fans of the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series can easily draw parallels between this concept and the character development of Ahsoka after her departure from the Jedi Order, it will be intriguing to see how the storyline progresses and concludes in the live-action series featuring a more mature Ahsoka Tano.

The character of Ahsoka is inseparable from Filoni's creative vision, which led him to be appointed as the Executive Creative Director at Lucasfilm. Additionally, he has been given the opportunity to work on his own Star Wars film, rumored to involve recasting a beloved role and bringing back a controversial actor.

Ahsoka definitely has a lot to offer. With Dawson's uplifting message to Star Wars viewers, even those who are not die-hard fans or new to the franchise can easily enjoy the upcoming series without feeling overwhelmed by required background knowledge. The highly anticipated premiere of Ahsoka is scheduled for August 23, 2023, exclusively on Disney Plus.

Source: Entertainment Weekly