Summary
Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm Dave Filoni recently shared how he andStar Warscreator George Lucas createdAhsoka TanoinStar Wars: The Clone Wars.The Clone Warsis one ofStar Wars’best TV showsand introduced a number of brand-new fan-favorite characters, Ahsoka chief among them. Although she was initially disliked by many viewers, Ahsoka has now earned her rightful place as one of the most beloved characters inStar Warsmovies and TV shows, which makes it all the more interesting that she—andThe Clone Wars—almost looked quite different.
In a recent interview with3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast, Dave Filoni provided brand-new insights into the creation of Ahsoka Tano and what he, writer Henry Gilroy, and George Lucas discussed regarding plans forThe Clone Wars. Filoni explained:
At first, Henry and I went in with an idea that didn’t include Anakin and Obi-Wan, because we didn’t want to touch these characters - we didn’t presume that. But George was, like, ‘No, that’s what kids want, they know these characters. It’s gonna be about them, but we’ll take this character you have, and we’ll make her Anakin’s apprentice.’ And that’s how Ahsoka came about… The original idea was to have a Jedi Padawan, but George wanted this Padawan, and he wanted it to be a Twi’lek, and then I was like, ‘Well, let’s do Togruta,’ and then you’re like… I like the design a bit more of that particular alien. But… and he just picked up a history book and found the name Ahsoka from history, because he had all these books surrounding him.
It’s shocking to imagine thatThe Clone Warsalmost focused on characters other than Anakin and Obi-Wan, but it seems this initial thought led to the creation of Ahsoka Tano, one ofStar Wars’most brilliant characters.
Why Star Wars Fans Didn’t Like Ahsoka Tano At First (& What Changed)
When she was first introduced, Ahsoka Tano was largely disliked in Star Wars, though there were some significant things that changed over time.
Ahsoka Tano
SinceThe Clone Wars, Ahsoka has arguably only become even more important, and she is certainly an essential aspect of Anakin Skywalker’sStar Warsstory. Although Ahsoka was absent in the prequel trilogy,The Clone Warsdid an excellent job of explaining away her absence and revealing how significant an impact she really did have on Anakin. For one,Ahsoka represented yet another dangerous attachment Anakin had, as he routinely told her he couldn’t let her die and wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Not only does this show the same fear of loss Anakin exhibited with many relationships, most notably his romantic relationship with Padmé, but it also proves yet again that Anakin was not adhering to the Jedi way. Yes, Jedi Masters and their Padawans form tight bonds, but they are not meant to have an emotional attachment of that nature. Moreover,Ahsoka’s departure from the Jedi Orderhad a massive impact on Anakin’s perception of the Jedi.
Ahsoka’s departure from the Jedi Order had a massive impact on Anakin’s perception of the Jedi.
While it’s highly debated whether Anakin would have fallen to the dark side had Ahsoka not left (interestingly, Hayden Christensen thinks he might not have), it undeniably did taint Anakin’s opinion of the Jedi Order. This surely would have contributed to Anakin’s doubt and willingness to turn on them. When Ahsoka was falsely accused of murder, the Jedi Council removed her from the Order, making her beholden to the Republic Senate, which nearly put her to death.
All 15 Defining Moments In Anakin Skywalker’s Fall To The Dark Side
Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side of the Force is a pivotal event in Star Wars, and 15 key moments defined how that turn happened over time.
In addition to enraging Anakin because it threatened Ahsoka’s very safety,this moment proved to Anakin how severe the issue of self-preservation was for the Jedi. In truth, this was an accurate perspective onthe Jedi Order’s flaws. They had abandoned one of their own to save themselves and their relationship with the Senate.
Even outside this plot point, though, Anakin and Ahsoka have remained intrinsically linked, with the two even meeting up again inStar Wars RebelsandAhsoka. It’s clear that, although introduced after the prequels, Ahsoka has become an integral part of Anakin’s legacy. Dave Filoni’s insights regarding Ahsoka’sorigins inStar Wars: The Clone Warsare therefore all the more interesting; it’s impossible to now imagineStar WarswithoutAhsoka Tano.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Cast
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
