TheStar Warsuniverse has always been known for itsits iconic villains, and with the live action introduction ofGrand Admiral Thrawnin theAhsokaseries, a new formidable antagonist has made his mark, and he’s nowhere near finished. Thrawn, a fan-favorite character from the Expanded Universe played byLars Mikkelsen, has been revived and reimagined in recent years, andAhsokaelevates him to a level akin to that of Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). By showcasing his strategic brilliance, ruthless determination, depth, complexity, and ability to put wins on the board, the show built upon an already multifaceted villain that audiences will love to hate.
Thrawn’s ability to accomplish his objectives, much like Thanos collecting the Infinity Stones, further solidifies his status as a formidable adversary. The Grand Admiral wins inAhsoka,just as the Mad Titan wins inInfinity War.With his return from exile and imminent presence in the main galaxy, Thrawn has become an overarching threat, setting the stage for a grand confrontation with the heroes of theStar Warsuniverse.
Let’s explore how theAhsokaseries sets up Thrawn as the Thanos of theStar Warsuniverse.
Strategic Brilliance
One of the defining traits of Thanos in the MCU was his strategic brilliance. Thrawn shares this characteristic, making him a formidable opponent in theStar Warsuniverse. In the expanded universe novels by Timothy Zahn and the animatedStar Wars Rebelsseries, Thrawn is portrayed as a tactical genius, capable of analyzing his enemies' weaknesses and exploiting them to his advantage. This is also seen inAhsokawhen he realizes Ahsoka Tano was the apprentice to none other than Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader.
Realizing just how dangerous Ahsoka Tano is, Thrawn declares, “There will be no negotiating with the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker.” By bringing him into theAhsokaseries in such strategically (and cinematically) epic fashion, the showrunners capitalized on the opportunity to showcase his strategic brilliance, very much like Thanos in theAvengersmovies. This not only elevates Thrawn to the level of some of the most deadly and iconic villains in theStar Wars universe, putting him on par with Vader and Emperor Palpatine, while also dramatically raising the stakes for our heroes. Like Thanos, Thrawn has the strategic brilliance to present one of the greatest threats the galaxy has ever seen.
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Ruthless Determination
Thanos' unwavering determination to achieve his goal made him a compelling and terrifying villain in the MCU. Similarly, Thrawn possesses a relentless drive to accomplish his objectives at any cost. We saw this inAhsoka,as his only objective was to escape his exile and return to the main universe at all costs. The series establishes Thrawn’s single-minded pursuit of power and control, which will undoubtedly make him a force to be reckoned with. Just as Thanos waswilling to sacrifice anythingand anyone for the sake of his mission, Thrawn’s ruthless determination will pose a significant threat to the Ezra, Sabine, Ahsoka, and the entirety of the galaxy.
Depth and Complexity
One of the reasons why Thanos resonated with audiences was his depth and complexity as a character. He was not a one-dimensional villain (something for which the MCU has been criticized in the past), but had a backstory and motivations that added layers to his character. Thrawn, too, possesses a rich history and intriguing motivations.
As an alien officer in the Imperial Navy, Thrawn rose through the ranks despite facing prejudice and discrimination. His unique perspective and appreciation for art and culture make him a multifaceted character. By exploring Thrawn’s past and delving into his motivations, Dave Filoni has the potential to create a compelling and complex villain on par with Thanos.
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Achieving Objectives
Both Thanos and Thrawn are known for their ability to accomplish their objectives. Thanos collected all six Infinity Stones and executedthe infamous Snap, wiping out half of all life in the universe. Thrawn, on the other hand, manages to escape his exile and return to the main galaxy at the end ofAhsoka. This achievement showcases Thrawn’s resilience and resourcefulness, much like Thanos' success in gathering the Infinity Stones.
By establishing Thrawn’s ability to achieve his goals,Ahsokasets him up as a formidable and dangerous adversary, just like Thanos. Thrawn won inAhsoka, just as Thanos won inInfinity War.And it appears Thrawn now has his sights set on restoring the Empire to its former glory.
Overarching Threat
Thanos' presence loomed over the entire MCU during its first three phases, with hints and foreshadowing sprinkled throughout various films. This created a sense of anticipation and built up to the ultimate showdown inAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. Similarly, Thrawn’s name was first mentioned (in live action) in the second season ofThe Mandalorian, then again toward the end of the third season.
Now,Ahsokafirmly establishes Thrawn as an overarching threat across multipleStar Warsprojects. By introducing him in this series, the show sets the stage for a grand confrontation between Thrawn and the heroes of the galaxy in future installments, whether that be in future seasons ofThe MandalorianandAhsoka, or the long-rumoredDave Filoni crossover film. This anticipation and buildup will generate excitement among fans and elevate Thrawn to the level of a truly iconic Star Wars villain.
The parallels between Thrawn and Thanos offer an exciting glimpse into the epic battles and high stakes that lie ahead. Make no mistake, Thrawn wants to restore the Empire to its former glory. A reckoning is coming — and we can’t wait for it!
