Why the next Star Wars spin-off should be an Ahsoka movie.
After the success of ‘Rogue One’, and the start of the production on the untitled Han Solo movie, fans of Star Wars have been wondering about the future of the spin-offs in the franchise. There have been numerous rumors floating around of characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Boba Fett getting their own movie. Some fans have even suggested moving beyond the characters tied to the Skywalker saga and going for a KOTOR movie. Recently, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced the next spin-off would be decided by June.
So whether the next spin-off will be centered around Obi-Wan or Boba Fett, or someone entirely different. There’s another character that deserves to be in the spotlight.
Ahsoka Tano.
For die-hard fans of Star Wars, Ahsoka is no mystery. Created as a main character for the animated ‘Clone Wars’ series, Ahsoka was the Togrutan Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. Saved from slavery by Jedi Master Plo-Koon, Ahsoka was brought to the Jedi Temple where she commenced her training. In her late teens, she joined Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi on their missions during the Clone Wars. She would later leave the Jedi Order and become a rogue Jedi, only to disappear when Order 66 came about.
The character resurfaced in the 1st season of Star Wars Rebels, as Fulcrum, a high-ranking member of the Rebellion. Ahsoka was omnipresent during the second and third season of the series.
In October last year, an Ahsoka novel written by E. K. Johnston came out, detailing Ahsoka’s life post-Order 66 and before her rise as Fulcrum. This year, Lucasfilm announced ‘Forces of Destiny’, a new micro-series centered around some of the female characters of Star Wars, including Ahsoka. With all of this, a live-action appearance seems to be the next logical step. And there’s plenty of canon content to base a whole movie around.
Another argument that could be made for an Ahsoka movie would be diversity. Kathleen Kennedy has repeatedly talked about the importance of representation within the franchise. Characters like John Boyega’s Finn or newcomer Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose, who will be the first female character of colour in the movies with a leading role, are examples of the franchise’s (slow) growth in terms of diversity.
While Ahsoka is Togrutan, and therefore technically race-less, a majority of the Star Wars fandom has depicted her as a woman of colour in human interpretations. Not only in terms of race but also in terms of gender, an Ahsoka movie could mean a change in the franchise, if the director would be a woman. It could also bring back some of the more iconic alien species, who were present in both the original as prequel trilogies but who have been seemingly forgotten in the sequel trilogy.
So in the case Lucasfilm decides to create an Ahsoka movie, who should play the iconic Jedi?
Yara Shahidi
Probably best known for her role as Zoey Johnson in ABC’s ‘Black-Ish’, Yara is one of the more talented of her generation. With her own spin-off ‘College-Ish’ coming soon to Freeform, her career is steadily building up. Her character Zoey, has the same wit and teenage spunk that Ahsoka carried throughout “The Clone Wars”. It’d be interesting at the least to see Yara portray the young Jedi right after her leaving the Order
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla’s iconic performances in ‘Colombiana’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ would only be the start of a very fruitful career. The young thespian has proven themselves on their acting skills multiple times and is currently making a big rise to the top. With an upcoming period drama, ‘Where Hands Touch’, directed by Amma Asante; and the lead role in ‘The Darkest Minds’, a movie that could kickstart the next big YA franchise, Amandla has a wide range of roles both behind them and ahead. Starring as an ass-kicking rogue Jedi in the biggest sci-fi franchise would only cement that.
Alisha Boe
This young up-and-coming actress truly showed her skills in this year’s Netflix drama ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’. Boe portrayed the role of Jessica, Hannah’s best friend with devotion and emotional strength. I believe that she would shine even brighter portraying Ahsoka right after the fall of the Galactic Republic. Alone and worried about the sake of her friends and her former master, Anakin. But also headstrong and doing her best to survive and defy the Empire at every turn.
Ruth Negga
This Academy Award-nominated actress is one of strong caliber. Able to portray a varied range of roles, from a caring and gentle Mildred Loving in ‘Loving’ to a brutal but hilarious Tulip in ‘Preacher’. Negga would be a good fit for Ahsoka making her way through the Galaxy, screwing with the Empire while protecting the people in need. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see the actress kill it on screen with two lightsabers like it’s no big deal.
Rosario Dawson
Rosario Dawson has become a household name in the sci-fi/superhero genre since her iconic portrayal of Claire Temple in the Netflix shows of the MCU. But even before that, Dawson made her way through both Hollywood and Broadway. A seasoned actress who could easily take on the role of Ahsoka. Dawson’s strength lies in her capability to portray tougher-than-life characters who still remain grounded and emotionally complex. She also has a way of turning the audience to her hand and giving both a strong emotional performance as well as a badass one.
Rutina Wesley
Wesley isn’t an as popular actress as Rosario Dawson or Ruth Negga. Undeserving, I say. She has proven herself time and time, and is currently giving her best shot as Nova Bordelon, the main character of Ava Duvernay and Oprah Winfrey’s drama ‘Queen Sugar’. Nova is an eccentric soul, an activist and caring figure. Attributes that fit Ahsoka as well. One of the surprising things about Nova’s character was that she’s sapphic, throughout Season she’s seen having a relationship with a woman. While Ahsoka isn’t confirmed sapphic in canon, many fans have considered her to be not straight, and have paired her up with characters like Barriss Offee -a character from ‘The Clone Wars’- and Kaeden Laerte, an ally and friend of Ahsoka who was introduced in the novel. While it would be unlikely that Lucasfilm would portray a romantic relationship between two women in a movie. It’s something worth hoping for.
In conclusion, Ahsoka Tano is too iconic to not be considered for a live-action spin-off. A movie centered around her wouldn’t only be something many Star Wars fans have been hoping for but also a way to introduce more diversity into the franchise.
it’s unsure how much spin-offs Lucasfilm would actually have an interest in creating. But i’ll be honest, if they haven’t at least seriously considered making an Ahsoka movie, they’re making a big mistake.
Author: Adel Khelifi
Editor: Han Angus
Keshav Kant, aka Mx. KantEven, is a med student tuned Executive Director of Off Colour!
You’ve probably seen her on Twitter and TikTok, both @MxKantEven, or caught her work on Off Colour's many channels.
From consulting on films & shows, manuscript review, conducting interviews, or hosting podcasts & panels, if there is some way to bring sensitivity and authenticity to diversity, inclusion and equity conversations, Keshav will be there.