The Missing Star Wars Legends Weapon Thrawn May Unleash in the Future

Summary

The resurgence of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Star Wars universe not only positions him as the central antagonist in Dave Filoni's future Star Wars film, but also hints at forthcoming developments in both The Mandalorian season 4 and Ahsoka season.

Introducing the Ysalamiri, creatures that repel the Force, into the canon would greatly enhance Thrawn's ability to overpower Jedi and align perfectly with his strategic genius.

Given his impressive arsenal, the potential inclusion of Ysalamiri, the assistance of the Nightsisters, and his unparalleled tactical brilliance, it is challenging to anticipate how Thrawn will be defeated on this occasion.

Grand Admiral Thrawn's debut in the live-action Star Wars canon via Ahsoka leaves one crucial element missing to establish him as a formidable threat to the galaxy and its protectors: a weapon from Legends. The finale of Ahsoka reveals that Thrawn, previously stranded on the planet of Peridea in a neighboring galaxy for more than a decade, has returned to the Star Wars cosmos. This not only solidifies him as the primary antagonist in Dave Filoni's upcoming Star Wars movie for the New Republic but also hints at future events in The Mandalorian season 4 and Ahsoka season 2.

While Ahsoka does provide some insight into who Grand Admiral Thrawn is, especially for those unfamiliar with his canon or Legends appearances, the show still leaves many mysteries surrounding his character. Questions remain about his plans for the secret cargo he transported from Peridea, how he intends to restore the Empire's dominance in the galaxy, and his motivations for doing so. Furthermore, it remains unknown how Thrawn plans to counter the Jedi, who will undoubtedly stand in his way, and here is where a weapon from Legends could shed light on his strategy.

Thrawn Needs The Ysalamiri In Canon

Revised

The Ysalamiri, a species hailing from Star Wars Legends, holds the key as the "weapon" in question. These unique creatures were first introduced in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire, a book that outlined Thrawn's assault on the New Republic but was deemed non-canon following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. However, certain elements from this book, such as Thrawn's resurgence, have been integrated back into the official canon. While the new Star Wars story will differ from the original tale, the inclusion of the Ysalamiri, an integral part of Thrawn's Legends story, is highly recommended.

What sets the Ysalamiri apart in Legends is their extraordinary ability to repel the Force. These small tree-dwelling lizard-like creatures possess the power to generate protective bubbles of varying sizes around themselves. Anyone within the vicinity of these bubbles loses all control over the Force. Thrawn exploited this unique trait to defend against the Jedi's mystical abilities in Legends. By incorporating the Ysalamiri into the canon, Thrawn would become nearly unstoppable against Force users in the galaxy. This strategic move aligns with his cunning and calculated nature, introducing these creatures as a means to overcome the Jedi instead of relying on sheer brute force.

Star Wars Has Already Set Up The Ysalamiri In Canon

Although introducing Force-repellent lizards into Star Wars canon may seem unlikely, there are already hints of foreshadowing with the Ysalamiri. The most obvious example can be found in Star Wars Rebels, where Thrawn is introduced as the main antagonist. On Thrawn's Star Destroyer, he displays his own collection of art and sculptures, including the Ysalamiri. While these sculptures may have initially been intended as Easter eggs to Thrawn's Legends stories, they establish the possibility of including these creatures in future canon. Similarly, the High Republic novels introduce creatures that have unique connections to the Force, such as the Leveler, which consumes the Force and poses a significant threat to the Jedi. This suggests that there are likely creatures in the Star Wars universe that can both repel and consume the mystical energy field.

How Would The Heroes Defeat Thrawn This Time?

Thrawn's utilization of the Ysalamiri in Star Wars canon raises the question of how he could be potentially overcome. In Legends, Thrawn's downfall occurred when Leia Organa convinced the Nohgri, a Star Wars race that Thrawn's bodyguard Rukh belonged to, that the Empire was taking advantage of them. Rukh, fueled by anger, assassinated his master, initiating the decline of the Empire's resurgence. However, it appears highly improbable for Thrawn's narrative to unfold in the same manner in Star Wars canon, given the divergent nature of his story and the vastly transformed state of the galaxy during the New Republic era.

The configuration of Thrawn's arsenal in canon makes it exceedingly challenging for him to be defeated, particularly when the Ysalamiri are involved. With the presence of Force-repelling creatures, the assistance of the Great Mothers of the Nightsisters, the support of Imperial remnants in the galaxy, and Thrawn's own tactical genius, his menace has been deeply entrenched. Consequently, it is difficult to envision how the heroes of the Star Wars galaxy could emerge victorious against him this time around, although it is certain to occur in the forthcoming Ahsoka season 2, The Mandalorian season 4, and Dave Filoni's climactic New Republic Star Wars film.