A newAhsokatheory suggestsGrand Admiral Thrawnmight not be the nextStar Warsbig bad after all. While shows likeThe Mandalorianseason 3 andAhsokahave built up Thrawn as a major antagonist for the New Republic Era, he might not be the most dangerous threat coming for the galaxy far, far away.
At present, it’s widely been assumed that Dave Filoni’s upcomingStar Warsmovie could very well be a canonical adaptation ofHeir to the Empire,the first of Legends’Thrawn Trilogyby Timothy Zahnwhere the Grand Admiral similarly returned to the knownStar Warsgalaxy in the aftermath of the original trilogy. However, new evidence fromAhsokahas teased a much bigger villain potentially in the works, one who would likely surpass Thrawn at the New Republic’s biggest.Here’s why Grand Admiral Thrawn might not be the biggest bad coming to theStar Warsgalaxy.
New Star Wars Movies: Every Upcoming Movie & Release Date
Here’s every upcoming Star Wars movie in development - including Rey’s New Jedi Order, the Dawn of the Jedi, and The Mandalorian & Grogu!
Grand Admiral Thrawn Has Been Set Up As Star Wars' Next Big Villain
Leading an Imperial Resurgence During The New Republic Era
Following the events ofAhsoka’sfirst season, Grand Admiral Thrawn and his Nightsister allies have returned to the knownStar Warsgalaxy following Thrawn’s time in exile which lasted nearly a decade. At present,Thrawn seems to be located on Dathomir, presumably preparing to lead an Imperial resurgence and uniting the various fragments of the Empire under one banner. To that end, it does appear as though Thrawn has been set up as the primary big bad during theNew Republic Era.
The New Republic’s collection of shows currently includesThe Mandalorian,The Book of Boba Fett, andAhsoka. Likewise, it will soon include 2024’sSkeleton Crewseries, 2026’sMandalorian & Grogumovie,Ahsokaseason 2, and eventually Dave Filoni’s currently untitled New Republic film which will reportedly culminate all the previous projects with an epic storyline/crossover, one many expect will star Grand Admiral Thrawn as the leading protagonist.However, the threat of Thrawn and the Imperial Remnant might only be the beginning.
Ahsoka Seems To Have Set Up Something Much Bigger… Abeloth
A Being Of Pure Chaos and Entropy
While Thrawn looks to be the clear Imperial threat that the New Republic will likely have to contend with, one can also expect more supernatural threats such as Thrawn’s Nightsister allies and their dark side magicks. After all,Ahsoka’sfinale already proved their ability to resurrect Thrawn’s fallen troopers just like the deceased sisters of their clan (which Dathomir has in abundance). However,Ahsokaalso set up even bigger supernatural beings, and possibly one major threat.
As seen at the very end ofAhsoka,Baylan Skoll discovers massive statues of the Mortis gods on Peridea. Celestial anchorites who affect the flow of the Force itself,the Mortis gods first debuted inThe Clone Warsseason 3when Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano inadvertently encounter The Father, Son, and Daughter. After Anakin refuses to replace The Father as a keeper of the balance, The Son kills his sister, representing the dark side overwhelming the light.
To that end, it does seem as though the Mortis gods have a role to play in the future of the New Republic. If not them, then at least their legacy and/or the monster they were tasked with guarding in non-canon Legends: Abeloth. A being of pure chaos and entropy determined to bring an end to the Force,Abeloth was once part of the Mortis gods' family as The Mother, despite her mortal status.
Fearing death, The Mother drank and bathed in the forbidden Font of Power and Pool of Knowledge, an act that corrupted and transformed her into the immortal monster Abeloth, forcing the Son and Daughter to lock her away.However, Abeloth would always break free of her prison whenever the flow of the Force was altered. This proved problematic for Legends' New Republic timeline, seeing as how the Daughter’s death during the Clone Wars meant Abeloth remained unchecked until Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Order and The Lost Tribe of the Sith came together to defeat her once more.
Is Grand Admiral Thrawn A Misdirect For Viewers?
Thrawn May Just Be The Prelude…
Keeping that in mind,perhaps the canon New Republic timeline will follow a similar trajectory with Abeloth being the presence calling to Baylan inAhsokawhich the Nightsisters were implied to be fleeing from. Likewise,runes fromAhsoka’spremiere have recently been translated, revealing a rhyme involving “The Three”, a secret way they were tasked with protecting, and the threat of death, which could be the Mortis gods and Abeloth:
THREE THERE WERE WHO MADE THE JOURNEY, WITHOUT WHOSE KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO RETURNING. A PATHWAY CONNECTING NEAR AND FAR, ACROSS THE HEAVENS STAR TO STAR.
DESPITE GREAT POWERS WHICH DO OBJECT, THIS SECRET WAY THE THREE PROTECT. SO HEED THE PATH WITH A WATCHFUL EYE, FOR IF YOU WANDER YOU WILL DIE.
An Abeloth reintegrated into theStar Warscanon and set free by Baylan would easily be the bigger threat next to Thrawn.Ultimately, Thrawn might become the prelude for the New Republic’s endgame. The Grand Admiral and his forces can keep the New Republic occupied, while the real threat is in truth Abeloth.
Perhaps Abeloth will be set free by Baylan Skoll with the feigned promise of helping him end theStar Warsgalaxy’s cycle of war and violence he claimed he wanted to break inAhsoka.Regardless, Abeloth is a threat not just to the light side, but to the Force in its entirety. As compelling and popular as Thawn still is, a villain like that would certainly make for a very exciting on-screenStar Warsvillain.
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.
