Ashley Eckstein’s Dream: Filling the Ahsoka Tano Gap with an Animated Movie

In the expansive and ever-evolving galaxy of Star Wars, few characters have undergone a more transformative journey than Ahsoka Tano. From her contentious debut as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan in The Clone Wars to her live-action re-emergence in The Mandalorian and her own dedicated Disney+ series, the character’s growth has captivated audiences. Now, the original voice actress, Ashley Eckstein, is championing a new project to continue Ahsoka’s legacy: an animated movie. During a recent interview, Eckstein expressed her deep personal and professional desire for a film that would bridge the narrative gap between The Clone Wars and the live-action Ahsoka series, a period she describes as a “big gap.”

Eckstein’s call for a new animated story is more than just a passing suggestion; it is a testament to her profound connection to the character and her understanding of the Star Wars lore. While the live-action series, starring Rosario Dawson, has been a hit with fans, it skips over several pivotal years in Ahsoka’s life. The animated movie would provide a much-needed opportunity to explore the events that shaped the older, wiser Togruta we see in live-action, answering questions that many fans have long pondered.

The Untold Stories: Bridging the Narrative and Character Gaps

The time period between the end of The Clone Wars and the start of the Ahsoka live-action series is one of the most mysterious and significant in the character’s arc. While some of this era was touched upon in other media, such as the novel Ahsoka and the animated series Star Wars Rebels, a cinematic exploration would provide a definitive and emotional account of her life during the rise of the Galactic Empire. An animated film could fill in these blanks by detailing:

• Her time in hiding and her journey to becoming “Fulcrum”: The Ahsoka novel delves into her early days after surviving Order 66, but an animated movie could bring this harrowing journey to life on a grand scale. We could witness her struggles to adapt to a life without the Jedi Order and her evolution into a spy for the burgeoning Rebel Alliance.
• The forging of her white lightsabers: A key detail from the book that was briefly shown in Tales of the Jedi is how Ahsoka’s iconic white lightsabers were created from the purified kyber crystals of a defeated Inquisitor. A movie could expand on this, visually representing her transition from a Jedi to a neutral Force wielder.
• Her reunion and adventures with other familiar characters: An animated movie could feature her early encounters with figures like Bail Organa, Hera Syndulla, and even her former master Anakin Skywalker, albeit as Darth Vader. This would provide the emotional and narrative foundation that informs her live-action persona.

Eckstein’s passion for a new animated project stems from her desire to explore these critical moments. She has spoken openly about the “tears of joy” she experienced when she got the call to reprise her role in projects like LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. For her, the character is not just a job but an integral part of her life and identity, and her vocal support for an animated film is a clear signal to Lucasfilm that there is a strong demand for more of Ahsoka’s story to be told in the medium where she originated. She has also credited fans with helping to make live-action Ahsoka a reality, reminding them that their voices have power and that they can “throw [their dreams] out into the universe” to help manifest the projects they want to see.

The Future of Star Wars Animation

Lucasfilm’s commitment to animation has been unwavering, with recent successes like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Jedi. The company has a history of using animation to tell stories that complement its live-action projects, often filling in character backstories and bridging narrative gaps. This strategic approach makes a new Star Wars animated movie about Ahsoka Tano a very real possibility. While the studio is currently focused on a number of live-action films, including Dave Filoni’s “Mando-verse” crossover movie, an animated feature could be a valuable way to expand the universe and provide a cinematic experience for a character who remains immensely popular. A feature-length animated film would allow for a level of depth and storytelling that would be difficult to achieve in a TV series, giving fans the definitive story they’ve been waiting for.

Eckstein’s continued passion for the character, coupled with the immense popularity of Ahsoka Tano, makes an animated movie a compelling prospect. The character’s journey from a young, headstrong Padawan to a weary and wise survivor is one of the most compelling arcs in Star Wars, and filling in the missing pieces would not only provide a rich and rewarding narrative for fans but also cement Ahsoka’s place as one of the most important and beloved figures in the entire saga.

Source: Fantha Tracks, GeekTyrant, Nerd Reactor