Thrawn Creator Returning To Fan-Favorite Star Wars Character?

During a recent panel at Twin Cities Con in Minneapolis, Timothy Zahn gave his honest feelings on Thrawn’s live-action debut and expressed interest in again contributing to the lore surrounding Star Wars’ big blue meanie. Fans were mixed on the characterization of Thrawn in Ahsoka, with some arguing that Lars Mikkelsen’s version of the Grand Admiral lacked the character’s usual motivation and tactical efficiency as seen in both Zahn’s Legends and canon Thrawn novels.

Zahn diplomatically defended Ahsoka‘s version of Thrawn, stating that everything Thrawn did in the show lined up with his true motivation, protecting the Chiss Ascendancy. The author explained that Thrawn had carefully weighed his two options and decided that the Empire, even post-Emperor, was still a better choice to ally himself with than the burgeoning New Republic.

As far as getting to put words in Thrawn’s mouth again, Zahn couldn’t be more ready. After being told that the time period following Rebels was off limits when he was writing his canon Thrawn novels, Zahn would now jump at a chance to fill in the gaps of what Thrawn had been up to prior to our first look at him on Peridea. Zahn is so ready to write Star Wars stories again that he’s willing to break traffic laws to do so.“It’s a 10 hour drive from my house to Lucasfilm. I would do it in eight… whatever Filoni wants, I will write it and you will like it.” Zahn told the audience regarding his willingness to come back to the franchise.

For anyone still unsure of what the big deal is with this Timothy Zahn/Thrawn guy, allow us to explain. If George Lucas is the first name that comes to mind when you think of Star Wars, then good. That’s how it should be. But if the second name that pops into your head when discussing a galaxy, far, far, away, is John Favreau or Dave Filoni, then you’re forgetting, arguably, the second most important creative force in the franchise: Timothy Zahn.

Believe it or not, by the early ’90s, the Star Wars franchise was dead. No TV shows, no movies, nothing. That is until 1991 when Timothy Zahn came along with his novel Heir to the Empire. Heir introduced the world to Thrawn and, more importantly, revived the dormant Star Wars franchise.

If you enjoyed the prequels, the sequels, The Mandalorian, or any other Star Wars property that came out after Zahn’s original Thrawn trilogy, then you owe the author a thank you for single-handedly breathing new life into Star Wars and making it a viable IP again.

Whether or not Dave Filoni will take Zahn up on his offer remains to be seen. Now that the newly promoted Chief Creative Officer is on track to direct his own Mandoverse film featuring Thrawn as the major antagonist, it would make sense for him to bring Zahn into the project to help ensure that Thrawn’s characterization is spot on.

But then again, when does Lucasfilm ever do anything that makes sense?