Mind-Blowing Revelation: Grand Admiral Thrawn's Shocking Role in Star Wars - From Villain to Unlikely Hero

The theory surrounding Grand Admiral Thrawn in the upcoming Ahsoka series suggests that he may be portrayed as the next hero in the Star Wars franchise, rather than the main antagonist. Thrawn has been established as a villain dedicated to the Galactic Empire's survival, starting from his appearance in Star Wars Rebels. In the finale of Star Wars Rebels season 4, Thrawn vanished into hyperspace alongside Ezra Bridger, a plot point that was revisited in The Mandalorian season 2.

With Ahsoka Tano making her transition to live-action, it was revealed that she is in search of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Star Wars universe. Additional information about the Ahsoka series and the release of its first teaser trailer affirm Thrawn's return as a central figure connected to the Empire, drawing inspiration from Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" novel in his Legends series. However, despite Thrawn being positioned as the next major villain in the Star Wars franchise leading up to Dave Filoni's film that will conclude the era of the New Republic, a theory persists that Lars Mikkelsen's portrayal of the Chiss Imperial might actually be a heroic character.

Grand Admiral Thrawn Has Always Been Driven By Fear Of A Greater Threat

Grand Admiral Thrawn's consistent fear of a greater threat is a prominent aspect of his appearances in the Star Wars canon. Motivated by the desire to ensure absolute security against an external force that could potentially bring about the end of the universe, Thrawn aligns himself with the Empire to establish complete control over the galaxy. Although Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn books lost their canonical status after Disney's acquisition of Star Wars, the author was later commissioned to write a new series of novels following the character's re-canonization by Dave Filoni in Star Wars Rebels.

In this novel series, Thrawn's apprehension regarding an external threat to the galaxy is explored. While the exact nature of this threat remains undisclosed, it grants Thrawn the somewhat commendable goal of safeguarding the galaxy from potential dangers in the Unknown Regions of the Star Wars universe. However, Thrawn is portrayed as a villain due to his association with the Empire, a regrettable alliance in pursuit of his ultimate goal that places him in opposition to the heroes of the Star Wars franchise.

Could Grand Admiral Thrawn Unite The Empire & The Republic?

With Thrawn's deep concern about a greater threat, a theory has emerged regarding the Ahsoka series. It suggests that the show will portray him as a heroic figure determined to unite the remnants of the Empire with the New Republic. While this may not align with the Imperial remnants depicted in The Mandalorian, who clearly aspire to establish a fascist and oppressive regime like the one in the original Star Wars trilogy, it could make sense considering Thrawn's absence after Star Wars Rebels. After Thrawn and Ezra were stranded in the Unknown Regions for years, this could have triggered their renewed actions in response to an impending invasion from outside the galaxy, just as Thrawn had feared. This newfound purpose could drive Thrawn to take control of the Empire and forge an alliance with the Imperial remnants and the New Republic, all in preparation to face the imminent threat to the galaxy. This storyline would certainly be captivating, presenting an intriguing character arc for Thrawn, especially for those unfamiliar with the books. The Chiss Grand Admiral would go from being a sinister pawn of the Empire to a savior committed to safeguarding the galaxy from external perils.

Who Could Star Wars' Next Big Villain Really Be?

All speculation aside, it should be acknowledged that the possibility of Thrawn transforming into a benevolent hero in Dave Filoni's Star Wars film, which is said to be an adaptation of Heir to the Empire, is quite far-fetched. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the film and Ahsoka cannot strategically redefine Thrawn's character. Both projects have the potential to portray Thrawn as a relentless leader rooted in the Imperial ideology, yet deeply concerned about the safety of the entire galaxy. By leveraging his apprehensions, Thrawn could use them as a justification to restore Imperial law, retaining his role as a villain with somewhat noble intentions, ultimately creating a far more captivating and intricate character.

If indeed this theory proves to be true, and assuming Thrawn emerges as more of a hero within the New Republic faction of the Star Wars universe, it naturally raises questions regarding the adversaries of that particular era. The most evident choice would involve an external threat originating from beyond Thrawn's known galaxy. A potential candidate for such a role could be the Grysk species. Mentioned in Zahn's authoritative Thrawn novels since 2017, the Grysk are a race hailing from the enigmatic Unknown Regions. They traverse the cosmos aboard nomadic fleets, a semi-mythical presence concealed from the majority of galactic inhabitants.

Thrawn frequently referred to the Grysks in Zahn's novels, hinting at their warmongering nature and the potential threat they pose from the Unknown Regions. The inclusion of the Grysk as canon would offer a compelling Star Wars antagonist. Alternatively, the Yuuzhan Vong, a species from Legends, could be considered. These beings from the Unknown Regions famously launched a violent invasion of the galaxy and were responsible for the deaths of approximately 300 trillion sentient beings. While their canon status would need to be established, the Yuuzhan Vong could serve as an alternative villain in the Star Wars universe, especially if the Ahsoka theory proves to be true.