Ahsoka: Lars Mikkelsen's Emotional Reaction to Landing Iconic Thrawn Role

Fans of Star Wars Rebels were thrilled when it was announced that Lars Mikkelsen would be reprising his role as Grand Admiral Thrawn in the upcoming Ahsoka series on Disney Plus. His portrayal of the character in Rebels had already gained a strong following, and the prospect of seeing him bring Thrawn to life in live-action was highly anticipated by fans. The official announcement of Mikkelsen's casting was met with a wave of excitement from the Star Wars community, who had been eagerly speculating about who would be chosen to play the iconic blue-skinned Chiss Grand Admiral alongside Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano.

Mikkelsen reflected on his experience at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in an interview with Entertainment Weekly's Dagobah Dispatch podcast. He shared how he was taken aback by the overwhelming love and support from the fans during his unveiling as the live-action actor playing Thrawn. His emotional reaction caught him off guard, as he struggled to hold back tears of gratitude. "I had a hard time actually keeping my tears back," Mikkelsen admitted. "I was really tearing up. I didn't expect that." The outpouring of love was a unique and unforgettable experience for him. "

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Mikkelsen shared an interview with his fellow Ahsoka villain actors, including Diana Lee Inosanto, Ivanna Sakhno, and the late Ray Stevenson. The latter two actors can be seen in the trailer wielding orange lightsabers, which creator Dave Filoni has confirmed as intentional. While each of these actors has a significant role to play in the show, Thrawn holds a special place for Mikkelsen, who is excited to explore the character further. Mikkelsen expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "When David finally asked me if I wanted to do it, there were no doubts. Of course, I wanted to do that, so I'm very excited." However, Mikkelsen also acknowledged the challenge of transitioning Thrawn from animation to live-action and hopes it will be successful. Thrawn has been a fan favorite since his introduction in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and his return to canon in Rebels only solidified his popularity. While the live-action version of Thrawn is based on the same material, Mikkelsen emphasized the importance of doing the character justice.

Fans can rest assured that the quality of Ahsoka's character is in good hands, as Mikkelsen expresses confidence in the writing. This is essential in portraying a character as cunning as Thrawn, who is known for his strategic prowess. "He's always ahead of the game, a top strategist," the actor explains. "He can be ruthless when necessary, but he's not using people in a negative way. Instead, he harnesses their creativity to achieve his objectives." Mikkelsen's understanding of Thrawn's complexity underscores his importance to the series, leaving fans eagerly anticipating Ahsoka's premiere on Disney Plus in August 2023.

Source: Entertainment Weekly