During a panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, Ahsoka Tano actress Rosario Dawson confirmed a massiveStar Warsretcon that will occur inAhsokaseason 2, and I’m thrilled to hear it. As one of just a fewupcomingStar Warsshows,Ahsokaseason 2has been getting plenty of attention. At present, not a lot is known about the plot of the show, although severalStar Wars Celebration 2025 revealspertained to the show.
Among those was the announcement that many were eagerly awaiting:Hayden Christensen is returning inAhsokaseason 2as Anakin Skywalker. Christensen will be joined by a number of shocking characters confirmed to be appearing inAhsokaseason 2 as well, from belovedStar Wars Rebelscharacter Zeb Orrelios toStar Warsicon Admiral Ackbar. However,Rosario Dawson confirmed one plotline inAhsokaseason 2 that has nothing to do with these characters—and that few saw coming.
“Thrawn Goes Big”: Rosario Dawson Confirms The Scale Of Ahsoka Season 2
This Is A Major Peek Into What Is Coming In Ahsoka Season 2
During a panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025,Ahsoka actress Rosario Dawson confirmed a major plot point inAhsokaseason 2that addresses a burning question many had. Per a post bysw_holocronon X, Dawson shared:
Not only does this confirm a heavy focus onGrand Admiral ThrawninAhsokaseason 2, but it also addresses a point of confusion left in the wake ofAhsokaseason 1.
FollowingtheAhsokaseason 1 finale, in which Thrawn returns to the mainStar Warsgalaxy with the clear intention of unifying the Imperial remnant and attempting to rebuild the Empire, many were wondering how major a threat Thrawn could really pose. This was due in large part to the absence of any mention of Thrawn or a massive battle during this era in the sequel trilogy.Evidently, though, there was a significant war waged during this period, which introduces a thrilling (and necessary) retcon.
Star Wars Has Officially Retconned The New Republic’s History
Star Wars Needed A Retcon To Fix This Problem
In addition to there being no mention of a massive war following the fall of the Empire in the sequel trilogy,Star Warshad actually confirmed that the period betweenReturn of the JediandStar Wars: The Force Awakenswas a peaceful one. Specifically, Claudia Gray’s canon novelStar Wars: Bloodline, which focuses on Leia’s story at this point intheStar Warstimeline, describes the New Republic Era as a period of galactic peace. This is obviously at odds with the notion that Thrawn initiated a significant war.
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Star Warshad already begun introducing the idea that this wasn’t entirely accurate in its TV shows,The Mandalorianin particular. In that show, characters like Moff Gideon revealed that some remained dedicated to the Empire after it had fallen. EvenAhsokaseason 1 had shown the existence of lingering Imperial sympathizers—which is to be expected—during this era and hinted toward a breakdown in trust and communication within the leaders of the New Republic itself.
However,these examples are quite different from what Dawson described. Whereas these issues inThe MandalorianandAhsokaseason 1 represent important but still small-scale conflicts, Dawson is describing an outright war. After all, she explicitly said,“Thrawn goes big,“suggesting that this war will go far beyond a skirmish between just Thrawn and characters like Ezra Bridger and Hera Syndulla. Clearly, then, the notion that the New Republic was a period of peace is not quite accurate.
Whereas these issues inThe MandalorianandAhsokaseason 1 represent important but still small-scale conflicts, Dawson is describing an outright war.
This May Be A Retcon… But It’s A Great One
Retcons inStar Warshave historically gotten mixed reactions within the fanbase, often dependent upon which characters, movies, and/or stories are being affected. Given the sequel trilogy proved largely unpopular, this is unlikely to cause quite the same backlash or controversy (although, never say never inStar Wars).Whether it causes backlash or not, though, this retcon was absolutely essential.
Ahsokaseason 1 clearly positioned Thrawn as the latest significant threat, and, simply put, it just wouldn’t make any sense for him to return to the mainStar Warsgalaxy and not cause a conflict of this scale. In fact, that choice would likely cause backlash of its own, given Thrawn is a beloved Legends character who should certainly be treated like a major adversary. Thankfully, it seemsAhsokaseason 2 will be doing right by this character.
In the end,Star Warshad no other choice but to make this change, not only for the sake of Thrawn as a character, but also for the sake of the larger plot. Even in terms of the galaxy, it doesn’t really make sense for the Empire to fall and for there to have been no significant fallout or conflict from that betweenReturn of the JediandThe Force Awakens, especially because not every Imperial would have been ready to abandon their cause. Although this will be a significantStar Warsretcon,Ahsokaseason 2 is absolutely making the right choice.
