Unveiling 4 Stunning Star Wars Locations Hiding Behind Ahsoka

This article contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka episodes 1 & 2.

Summary

Ahsoka showcases a blend of familiar and fresh Star Wars planets, filmed utilizing state-of-the-art technology and various locations in California. This approach impeccably captures the essence of the Star Wars universe while faithfully recreating iconic spaces.

Within Ahsoka, an introduction is made to Arcana, a planet that implies the widespread existence of the Nightsister witches as a civilization. The intricate subterranean structures unveil a lesser-known aspect of the Nightsisters, one that relies less on magic.

Ahsoka introduces the live-action version of Lothal, a planet steeped in history and home to a prominent Jedi temple that played a vital role in the rebellion against the Empire. Corellia also emerges as a significant player, showcasing the unwavering loyalty of its citizens to the Empire and foreshadowing the ascent of the First Order.

The initial episodes of Ahsoka not only revisit familiar Star Wars planets but also introduce new ones, each with captivating filming locations. The original Star Wars trilogy employed a combination of on-location shooting, studio sets, and matte painting enhanced by blue screen technology. The prequel trilogy leaned more towards blue screen and digitally created environments, eventually culminating in the ability to shoot Star Wars: Episode III entirely within a studio. The Mandalorian pushed the boundaries further by incorporating StageCraft technology, enabling actors to perform within voluminous facilities adorned with computer-generated imagery.

The primary method used to film Ahsoka involved creating a variety of Star Wars planets in meticulous detail. While most studio shots were done in Los Angeles, California served as a prominent filming location for Ahsoka. In order to achieve the desired natural backdrops, shooting took place in Yucca Valley and Glendale. The outcome was a series that faithfully depicted the visuals of the Star Wars universe and brought to life iconic locations from Star Wars animation. Ahsoka's episodes 1 and 2 feature a total of four planets, including two familiar ones and two entirely new worlds.

4 Arcana

Ahsoka ventured to Arcana shortly after her encounter with Morgan Elsbeth, determined to locate the map that would lead her to Grand Admiral Thrawn. In ancient times, this planet served as a stronghold for the powerful Nightsister witches of Dathomir, and many of their structures remained intact even to this day. Previously, the Nightsisters were primarily associated with Dathomir in the Star Wars universe; however, the existence of Arcana suggests that their influence extended far beyond. This notion sheds light on the possibility of someone like Morgan, a human, being a member of the Nightsister clan, given that Dathomirian women typically possess fair complexions adorned with black facial tattoos. Furthermore, the intricate underground structures found on Arcana provide insight into a lesser-known, non-magical aspect of the Nightsister culture.

3 Lothal

Ahsoka finally brings Lothal to the live-action realm, the home planet of Ezra Bridger and a prominent setting in the Star Wars Rebels animated series. Despite its unassuming appearance, Lothal possesses a rich and profoundly significant history within the Star Wars timeline. It is host to a Jedi temple that Ezra and his master, Kanan Jarrus, frequented on numerous occasions. The temple houses striking murals depicting the Force gods of Mortis, but more importantly, it serves as the gateway to the World Between Worlds. In a noteworthy feat, Lothal became one of the first planets to resist the Empire, even before the Rebel Alliance achieved its initial triumph, all thanks to Ezra and the valiant Ghost crew.

2 Seatos

A dark and enigmatic realm embracing expansive oceans, rugged terrains, and crimson-drenched forests, Seatos was once the abode of "an ancient civilization originating from a remote galaxy." This elusive society left behind a celestial cartographic apparatus, fueled by a starry map, that divulged the Pathway to Peridea—a navigational guide leading adventurous souls to an alternate galaxy. Linguistic clues found within Ahsoka's concluding credits point to a potential affiliation with the ancient Sith, while certain visual depictions appear to depict the purrgil, ephemeral creatures that propelled Ezra and Thrawn into the far reaches of hyperspace. Whoever these enigmatic beings may have been, their tale rooted within Seatos shall undoubtedly reconfigure the Star Wars chronology, birthing new narrative vistas for the celebrated franchise.

1 Corellia

A renowned ship manufacturing hub known as Corellia, once responsible for constructing Star Destroyers for the Imperial Navy, underwent a transformation by transitioning to the distribution of parts for the defense fleet of the New Republic. Regrettably, a considerable number of its inhabitants remained steadfast in their loyalty to the Empire even after its demise, clandestinely providing ship components for Imperial projects. This revelation adds a poignant dimension to Han Solo's backstory, considering that Corellia was his homeland, which bore the brunt of the Imperial occupation. Discovering that his own people continued to pledge allegiance to the Empire he fiercely opposed would undoubtedly have devastated Han, especially considering that the Empire's stranglehold on Corellia coerced youth like him into joining gangs for survival.

The remaining Ahsoka episodes may address an issue that Corellia currently represents for the New Republic. Episode 2 confirmed the presence of former Imperials in positions of power at all levels of the government, which was hinted at in The Mandalorian season 3. This hints at the future rise of the First Order, who already had spies in the New Republic senate before their galactic invasion. Corellia has become vital to both the past, present, and future of the Star Wars universe, and only time will reveal the planet's further role in Ahsoka and the rest of the Mandoverse.

Watch new episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.