On the latest installment of
The Star Wars Underworld the hosts gave a recap of the first day at Star Wars:
Celebration Europe 2016. The first major panel of the day was the
Ahsoka 'Untold Stories' panel. This panel delved into the backstory of the character, as well as the untold stories concerning Ahsoka during the period of
The Clone Wars. The biggest reveal of the panel wasn't actually about Ahsoka's past tales, but rather Dave Filoni's shock admission: Ahsoka survived the confrontation with Darth Vader in the Season Two finale of Star Wars:
Rebels.
Filoni's all but outright confirmation of Ahsoka's return has struck a chord among fans and stimulated extensive interest and debate among Star Wars fans. The 'Ahsoka' panel obtained 160,000 views on the
Star Wars YouTube channel, over three times the number of views that the
Rebels: Season 3 panel received. The central debate seems to centre on the manner and medium in which we will see Ahsoka again. I believe there are three principal mediums in which Lucasfilm and Disney will tell the next chapter of Ahsoka's story. This will either be in novel format; as a TV spin off series or as a stand alone movie. Personally, I surmise that we will see Ahsoka return to our TV screens on an animated series. We already know that there is an Ahsoka post-Order 66 novel which is in the pipeline and
scheduled for release this October, which is exciting news in itself, however this is not the comeback that Dave Filoni seemed to refer too in this panel.
Front Cover of New Ahsoka Novel
In his closing remarks Filoni told us that Ahsoka will return and also stated that Ahsoka wouldn't make a comeback in Rebels. Yet why did he need to stress the fact that she won't be back in Rebels? It is important to remember that Ahsoka is a character whom Filoni has invested alot of time in. She represents a significant and, arguably, lasting relic of George Lucas' Star Wars Universe. Filoni was one to tell us that Ahsoka is back, which makes me think that Filoni has his hands all over the next stage of Ahsoka's journey and would explain why it was Filoni who confirmed the character's return and not Lucasfilm Story Group members, Kiri Hart or Pablo Hidalgo. If Filoni was to be the man to usher in Ahsoka's reintroduction, then the question of where and when we will see Ahsoka next becomes a bit more clearer. A
Rebels return could well be in the offing, particularly if Rebels has a fourth season, which is certainly not out of the realms of possibility and neither Lucasfilm nor Disney have made any suggestions about the fact that Season 3 is the final season of the series (albeit they also haven't refuted the rumors that
Season 3 would be the last, when reports were made back in May). So where and when will we see Ahsoka next? Here are my concluding thoughts.
Where?
In Star Wars: Rebels or a future animated TV series that Filoni would be heading, or at least working on. The in-universe time period would likely be in the era of Rebels and most definitely before A New Hope commences.
When?
I think we will hear little more about Ahsoka reappearance this year because attention will want to be directed towards the upcoming 'Ahsoka' novel release this year, Next year, after Rebels Season 3 concludes, Rogue One has been released in movie theatres and the E.K. Johnston 'Ahsoka' novel has been published, I believe we will see her back on our TV screens.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen whether my predictions come to fruition and I wouldn't pretend to know what will happen exactly in the future. As a wise Jedi master once said "Always in motion is the future and many possible futures there are." I finish my piece by citing Filoni's final message in the Ahsoka panel. The revelation that got as Clone Wars fans on their feet, whistling, cheering and applauding.
Filoni: I'm not going to say what form any [Ahsoka] story would take place, but after the reaction...I don't know, I don't know....it might, it just might be possible...it doesn't necessarily mean what some of us would want it to mean maybe, but it might be possible to see her again, she might have something to do (1:01:30)
You have heard my thoughts, now feel free to leave a comment below telling us when you think we will see Ahsoka next, in which medium her re-appearance will be presented and where in the future.
