My favorite theory for Natalie Portman’s potentialreturn asPadmé Amidalawould easily give us something we’ve never seen from theStar Warscanon before. While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, there have been rumors that Portman may be in initial talks to make an appearance inAhsokaseason 2. If so, I truly believe that the best way for her to return would be as Padmé…and so much more.
In 2023’sAhsoka, the Dark Jedi Baylan Skoll is called away by some kind of presence with the promise of power, potentially a means to break the ongoing cycle of the light clashing with the dark Baylan has grown tired of. To that end,one ofAhsoka’sfinal shots saw Baylan on the ancient world of Peridea, standing on statues of the Mortis gods, cosmic anchorites in the Force known as the Father, Son, and Daughter.This has led to several theories about what fans can expect fromAhsokaseason 2, including my favorite idea involving the return of Natalie Portman as Padmê (sort of).
Natalie Portman is Rumored To Return in Ahsoka Season 2
Following Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen’s Recent Star Wars Returns
The recent rumors that have been swirling about Natalie Portman’s return toStar Warsaren’t surprising in the slightest. After all, the last few years have seen both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen returning as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in theObi-Wan KenobiandAhsokaseries on Disney+. To that end, it follows that Lucasfilm would be interested in finding a way to bring Portman back as well, continuing the trend of bringing back legacy characters from the prequels.
InAhsoka, Anakin was brought back as a Force ghost, through holo-recordings, and flashbacks to Ahsoka Tano’s past when the master and apprentice were together during the Clone Wars. Additionally, the bulk of Ahsoka’s interactions with her old master were in theForce nexus known as the World Between Worlds, existing outside of time and space. As such, there are many avenues for Portman to make a return despite her character’s death at the end ofRevenge of the Sith.However, the best theory would see Padmé returning in an all-new way never seen before in-canon.
The Best Padmé Return Theory Involves Abeloth, A Major Legends Villain
A Being Of Death and Entropy
Thanks to the surprise reveal of the Mortis gods statues at the end ofAhsokaseason 1, manyStar Warsfans familiar with the older non-canon Legends stories are hoping for the re-canonization of Abeloth, a chaotic cosmic being of death and absolute entropy. Originally a mortal woman who joined the Mortis gods' family as the Mother, this woman feared growing old and dying while her family remained immortal. This motivated her to drink from the forbidden Font of Power and bathe in the Pool of Knowledge,corrupting her into the immortalStar Warsvillain known as Abeloth.
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The Daughter and Son (the light and dark sides of the Force) were forced to come together and lock their former Mother away, lest she destroy the entire universe. However, the Mortis gods' arc in the Clone Wars series and the subsequent diminishing of their power led to Abeloth’s freedom during New Republic Era Legends novels. As such, fans are now hoping elements of Abeloth’s story will become canon once more inAhsokaseason 2, thanks to Baylan’s ongoing quest.
“Abeloth represents chaos, entropy, and the end of everything, which could bring the light and dark sides of the Force together to stop her in the canon…”
Considering the connected theory that Anakin’s Force ghost might have become the new Father keeping the living Force in balance,my favorite theory is that Abeloth is the one calling to Baylan, and the former Mother could be played by Natalie Portman. After all, Abeloth was notably a shapeshifter in Legends.This means Abeloth could easily transform herself to look just like Padmé as a means of tormenting Anakin (and Ahsoka as well).
Why Portman’s Return As A Villain Is So Smart For The Star Wars Franchise
Looking Forward While Honoring The Past
If the Padmé/Abeloth theory proves true, it would simultaneously be a concept that looks back to the past while simultaneously looking forward with a type of villain we’ve NEVER seen before in canon. She is not a typically dark-side being. Abeloth represents chaos, entropy, and the end of everything, which could bring the light and dark sides of the Force together to stop her. That’s an exciting conceptStar Warsfans should be eager to explore, and the genius is packaging it with a beloved actor return from the beloved prequels.
Ahsokaseason 2 is expected to be released in 2026 on Disney+.
Padmé Amidala
The elected Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala won galactic acclaim for her heroism when she led her people against the Trade Federation. She became an influential member of the Republic Senate, but her life changed forever when she fell in love with Anakin Skywalker. Padmé Amidala found herself torn between her love for Anakin and her belief in the principles of the Republic, especially when Anakin became Darth Vader. She was brutally attacked by Anakin on Mustafar, and died in childbirth.
Ahsoka
Cast
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
