“He will be amazing as Grand Admiral Thrawn”: Marvel’s Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch Refused to Make His Debut in $10.3 Billion Franchise?

"He will be amazing as Grand Admiral Thrawn": Marvel's Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch Refused to Make His Debut in $10.3 Billion Franchise?
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When Disney announced a slew of new Star Wars shows at their Investor Day in December 2020, fans went wild. Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson as the character she originated in The Mandalorian, was one of them. As soon as the news broke, fans began a petition to have Benedict Cumberbatch play Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the show’s most memorable antagonists.

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The actor was expected to debut in the $10.3 billion franchise, but recent reports suggest he has declined.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Grand Admiral Thrawn?

Benedict Cumberbatch as Grand Admiral Thrawn fan fiction
Benedict Cumberbatch as Grand Admiral Thrawn fan fiction

An artist and fan of the Star Wars franchise suggested Benedict Cumberbatch play the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn in the upcoming series a full week before Ahsoka’s official announcement. Fans from all over the world rushed to show their support, and the post quickly went viral.

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Fans felt that Benedict Cumberbatch was the ideal choice to play Grand Admiral Thrawn due to his appearance and ability to play “calculated and sinister” roles. Quickly becoming a fan favorite was fan art depicting Cumberbatch as Thrawn with blue skin and red eyes.

Fans have been begging Benedict Cumberbatch to play Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka, but he is not interested in the role. The actor admitted to having never heard of the character before in a March 2021 interview with Collider.

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Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch made a joke about the villain’s name when he was told it was Grand Admiral Thrawn.

“Grand Admiral Thrawn? Does he turn into Peter Cushing, or something? That’s a straight no from me, right now. There’s no way I want to be turned blue. I have precious time with my children, and I think sitting in a makeup chair and being painted blue, and the amount of time it would take to do that…it’s not the right time in my life for that.”

Even though Cumberbatch refused to play the part, fans will be delighted to know that the role of this important character has already been given to a well-known actor.

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Who Will Play Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka?

Lars Mikkelsen
Lars Mikkelsen

Disney has cast someone else as Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka, despite fan demand for Benedict Cumberbatch. Lars Mikkelsen, a Danish actor best known for his roles in The Killing and House of Cards, will play the part.

Mikkelsen has worked with Grand Admiral Thrawn as the character’s voice actor in Star Wars Rebels. When Disney Plus finally releases Ahsoka later this year, fans will finally see him in the role of Thrawn in live-action.

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Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen has been active in the entertainment business since 1997. He became a household name thanks to his portrayal of Troels Hartmann in The Killing, a Danish crime drama that aired from 2007 to 2012.

In addition to his role as Russian President Viktor Petrov in House of Cards, Mikkelsen played Frederik Heck in The Day Will Come, a film from Denmark. Many people think he’ll do a great job as Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka, and they can’t wait to see him in the role.

Source: Instagram

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Mabel Andrady

Written by Mabel Andrady

Articles Published: 694

Mabel, aka MJ, is a FandomWire Sr. Writer, pop-culture fanatic, and an MA in Health Demography holder. When she's not indulging in her guilty pleasure of penning everything Hollywood, Marvel & DC, she writes academic essays on COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. With 2500+ articles published online, she brings a unique twist to entertainment writing. A jack-of-all-trades, MJ enjoys movies, writes/acts in plays, writes music, and dreams of being a successful actress. She offers a fresh perspective, making her writing a must-read for those seeking knowledge and entertainment.