Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews that almost ended Star Wars after the release of The Rise of Skywalker, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s The Mandalorian single-handedly managed to renew the interest in the saga of a galaxy far, far away. In the second season of The Mandalorian, the series introduced some beloved fan-favorite characters from Filoni’s animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars. From Bo-Katan Kryze to Ahsoka Tano, the second season became a massive hit among both long-time fans and casual fans of the franchise. However, the second season of the hit series also name-dropped another major character from Star Wars Rebels: Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Related: Thrawn: Who Is This Important Star Wars Villain?
In the fifth episode of the second season titled Chapter 13: The Jedi, Ahsoka Tano, portrayed on screen by Rosario Dawson, is introduced to Din Djarin as they join forces to take down Elsbeth and her army. During one of their conversations, Ahsoka name-drops Grand Admiral Thrawn, leaving long-time fans of Rebels in awe. Considered to be one of the greatest military strategists to ever exist, Grand Admiral Thrawn is a significant addition to the lore.
According to a report by LMR Online, Disney has found its live-action Thrawn in Lars Mikkelsen, who also voiced the character in Star Wars Rebels. Joining Mikkelsen will be Alaadin star Mena Massoud, who will be playing the role of Ezra Bridger.
Related: The Mandalorian: Benedict Cumberbatch Reveals If He’d Play Grand Admiral Thrawn
Mena Massoud, who rose to prominence after the live-action adaptation of Alaadin, has teased the possibility of him playing the Jedi for a long time on social media. After Ahsoka Tano’s live-action appearance and the subsequent announcement of an Ahsoka series during last December’s Investor Day, the time is ripe for Ezra Bridger to make his first live-action appearance. However, it is yet to be reported if both the characters will make their first appearance in the third season of The Mandalorian or the upcoming Ahsoka series.
Casting Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn is not a big surprise as The Mandalorian has already cast Katie Sackhoff, the voice-actor of Bo-Katan Kryze in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The addition of Lars Mikkelsen to the Star Wars saga will be an exciting journey as his younger brother Mads Mikkelsen has already starred in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While it’s yet to be confirmed by Disney if the reports are true, but the future of Star Wars already looks promising.
