Introduced in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka Tano has grown to become an integral character in the franchise. And Dave Filoni, who is currently working on a second season of the Disney+ series Ahsoka, has recently revealed a key aspect the Star Wars creator George Lucas suggested about the character.
In a recent conversation with The Acolyte creator, Leslye Headland, Filoni revealed that Lucas had advised him to focus on Ahsoka’s inherent capability and avoid depicting her as overwhelmed during her arc in The Clone Wars.
George Lucas’ Suggestion For Ahsoka Tano’s The Clone Wars Arc
Played by Rosario Dawson in the franchise, Ahsoka Tano has emerged as one of the most formidable Jedi, confronting adversaries like Darth Maul and Darth Vader. This depiction also underscores her training under Anakin Skywalker and her innate strength in the Force.
Dave Filoni, the creator of shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, has revealed that such depiction was a directive from George Lucas since the character’s inception in The Clone Wars.
In a recent conversation with The Acolyte creator, Filoni delved into Ahsoka’s character development. He revealed that during the event of the 2008 film, they attempted to depict a moment of vulnerability for Ahsoka as she transitioned from being a Padawan to actively engaging in the conflicts of the wars.
However, George Lucas suggested a different approach for the character. Filoni shared,
Ahsoka was such an interesting character to me. When we started, we had a very much, a shell-shock moment for her, that she was out of her depth. And I’ll never forget it, George watching and saying, ‘You guys are taking this a bit too seriously.’
He revealed that Lucas suggested against portraying Ahsoka Tano out of her depth but rather advised him to emphasize her capability. “He went on to explain that, like, even at a young age, she’s not out of her depth for any of this,” Filoni recalled.
Leslye Headland Reflected on George Lucas’s Filmmaking Legacy in The Acolyte
During their discussion, Dave Filoni and Leslye Headland also discussed George Lucas’ foundational understanding of filmmaking and iconic storytelling. The Acolyte creator shared that while she did not find the special effects and the fighting choreographies critical, she did struggle to tap into the emotional depths of the show.
“Honestly, the times that I felt the most worried was not the special effects, the fighting choreography,” she said before adding, “It was the emotional stuff.” Filoni echoed this sentiment, underscoring Lucas’s insight into filmmaking and cultural symbolism.
“These things that George understood about filmmaking, understood about iconography, are things we still try to tap into,” he said. Headland described Lucas’s original vision as the guiding North Star, serving as a constant reference point for upholding the essence of Star Wars while continuing to innovate.
The Clone Wars, Ahsoka, and The Acolyte are available to stream on Disney+.
