Ahsoka: Lars Mikkelsen had to “tweak” Thrawn for live-action

Grand Admiral Thrawn has been a favourite among Star Wars fans since Timothy Zahn introduced him in Heir to the Empire, and master strategist will finally be stepping into the realm of live-action for the upcoming Ahsoka series.

It was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration earlier this year that Lars Mikkelsen would be playing Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka. As he provided the character’s distinctive voice in Star Wars: Rebels, it was only fitting that he would be the one to play the live-action Thrawn. However, the actor told Empire Magazine that he did have to tweak Thrawn’s voice as what works in animation doesn’t always translate to live-action.

“I’m not losing the voice, but I am tweaking it into live-action,” Lars Mikkelsen explained. “When you do an animated character, there’s a whole melodious approach. When you’re there as a real person, that would be just slightly too much.” Mikkelsen added, “I love the way he rises through the Empire, and the way he carries himself in that environment to become somebody. And then of course, how can you not like a very clever villain? Thrawn takes the time to understand his opponent’s culture, and what they’re about. It’s lovely to be playing that.“

I can’t wait to see Lars Mikkelsen bring Thrawn to life in Ahsoka and hopefully beyond. Rosario Dawson, who plays the title character, recently said that she’s hopeful for a second season of the series. “I’m absolutely putting it out into the universe,” Dawson said. “We’re joking about it, but I’m manifesting it because I feel like I helped Dave [Filoni, Star Wars mastermind and Ahsoka Tano’s co-creator] manifest this role. So I’m ready. I’m excited. I’m willing. I got my ice-packs ready to go for Season 2 and beyond! I would not be mad at that.“

In addition to Rosario Dawson and Lars Mikkelsen, the Ahsoka series also features Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, and Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati. It’s also been said that Hayden Christensen will be returning as Anakin Skywalker. It was announced earlier today that Ahsoka will debut on Disney+ on August 23rd.