It seems as if Star Wars is organizing events in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka to support an adaptation of the Grand Admiral Thrawn trilogy, but there are still some important pieces missing. In 1991, Heir to the empirethe first book in Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy was published and the world was introduced to Grand Admiral Thrawn. This Imperial and this story kicked off the Star Wars The Expanded Universe is moving forward at full speed, giving rise to many rich stories told in books, comics, and more.
In the new Star Wars The canon, Grand Admiral Thrawn, made his return in Star Wars Rebelsand was eventually brought to live action in AhsokaAll of this, which logically takes place in the era of the New Republic, leads to what will probably be an adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy for the new canon. Ahsoka In particular, he seems to have been laying the groundwork for this adaptation, but it’s not yet complete – until now. Here’s everything that’s still missing from the canonical adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy.
7 The Smugglers’ Alliance with the New Republic
Is Boba Fett meant to be Talon Kaarde?
Near
One of the most important characters in the Thrawn trilogy is the legendary smuggler and crime lord Talon Kaarde. A trafficker of criminal enterprises and, specifically, information, Kaarde played a pivotal role in the New Republic’s victory against Thrawn and the Imperial Remnant. Leading a group called the Smugglers’ Alliance, Kaarde represented the alliance of the galaxy’s seediest elements with the New Republic to defeat a greater evil.
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This group does not seem to exist in canon so far. Star Wars The narrative is especially significant considering the strong presence of the underworld in the New Republic era. But the roots of the coalition could be found in Boba Fett in The Book of Boba FettIn that series, Boba is becoming a more moral criminal syndicate leader, emphasizing coalition, possibly leading to a Smugglers’ Alliance-type organization for the canonical Thrawn trilogy adaptation.
6 Thrawn and Pellaeon
The Grand Admiral and his right hand man
Near
One of Timothy Zahn’s most recurring characters, Gilad Pellaeon was an Imperial naval officer who served alongside Thrawn during his campaigns in Legends. In The Mandalorian In Season 3’s Imperial Shadow Council scene, audiences finally met the canon’s live-action Pellaeon. However, he’s still not in the place he needs to be for a proper retelling of the events of the Thrawn trilogy.
Pellaeon was created as the Watson to Thrawn’s Sherlock Holmes, a simpler individual who exists for the narrative purpose of explaining the genie’s actions to the reader. Thrawn without Pellaeon is like Sherlock without Watson: an essentially less interesting character. To achieve the best possible adaptation, Pellaeon, as part of the Imperial Remnant, as seen relaying information about Thrawn in The Mandalorianreally needs to connect with the Grand Admiral.
5 Thrawn’s Dark Jedi Companion
The Mad Jedi Joruus C’Baoth
Near
Another key aspect of the Thrawn trilogy is the Jedi clone Joruus C’baoth. In Legends, C’baoth was a Jedi Master from the days of the Galactic Republic who was cloned and left to run amok on the planet Wayland. While Wayland has been very fully reintroduced into canon through Star Wars: The Bad BatchJoruus is less likely to be a clone Jedi due to the advances in Force-sensitive cloning in that same animated series.
Still, Thrawn having an older, Force-sensitive Dark Jedi ally is important to his plans. Many viewers theorized that Baylan Skoll would fill this role in the canon timeline, but given the character’s presence on Peridea and his seemingly ulterior motives, this is unlikely. Though the Great Mothers, elite Nightsisters working for Thrawn, could easily already be fulfilling C’baoth’s role.
4 A Jedi in Luke’s place (Or Luke himself?)
Sabine, Ezra or Ahsoka
Near
As expected for a Star Wars The story of Legends is set after Endor, and Luke Skywalker also played a major role in the overall narrative of the Thrawn trilogy. Most importantly, Luke, along with Leia and their unborn twins, served as bait for Joruus C’baoth’s alliance with Thrawn. The Grand Admiral promised the Dark Jedi that these Force-sensitives of the New Republic would become his apprentices following his victory. On top of that, Luke was instrumental in ultimately stopping Thrawn and his forces.
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However, in canon, due to the actors’ ages and certain creative decisions against casting changes, Luke Skywalker has not been as much of a protagonist in the era. This has led many viewers to assume that other Force users in these live-action series could take Luke’s place in this particular story. Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano are obvious choices, though Ezra Bridger seems the most likely at this point, as he was shown to have rejoined the New Republic at the end of AhsokaThe end of
3 Thrawn’s surprise army
Clones or more zombie stormtroopers?
Near
Prior to the release of the prequel trilogy, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s reference to “The Clone Wars” in A new hope It fascinated many authors, including Timothy Zahn. Zahn took this tidbit about cloning and made it a major plot point in the Thrawn trilogy, with Thrawn’s master plan including a clone army. Using the mysterious Ysalamiri, Thrawn was able to produce fully developed clones faster than ever before, and they made up a large portion of his forces during his campaign.
This clone army came as a huge surprise to the New Republic, leading many viewers to think that Thrawn’s night troopers, or zombie stormtroopers, were taking their place. This is likely, but it also plays into the ending of Ahsokawith Thrawn arriving on Dathomir. The Nighttroopers are empowered by the magic of Dathomir’s Nightsisters, meaning the return to Dathomir may be an effort to build a larger army, much like in Thrawn’s original trilogy.
2 An anti-force power for Thrawn
The Ysalamiri
In preparation for his alliance with Joruus C’baoth, Thrawn decided that he needed to be immune to the Dark Jedi’s powerful Force powers, and hired the ysalamiri for the job. The ysalamiri were lizard-like creatures native to Myrkyr that had the natural ability to create Force-neutral bubbles, rendering those nearby unable to use the Force. The ysalamiri were a key part of Thrawn’s victories, and are notably absent from canon.
Although reference is made to the statues in Thrawn’s office in Star Wars RebelsThe Ysalamiri do not appear in canon. Their need for an adaptation remains a bit of an unknown, considering the Great Mothers’ more willing attitude towards joining Thrawn’s cause. However, there is still time for Lucasfilm to establish some sort of Force immunity for Thrawn that would make him even more intimidating to the galaxy’s protagonists.
1 Mara Jade
The Emperor’s Hand, Luke Skywalker’s ally
Near
One of the most influential contributions the Thrawn trilogy made to canon was the creation of Mara Jade. Jade has a history of having served Palpatine as the Emperor’s Hand and eventually coming into the service of Talon Kaarde. This was how Mara met Luke Skywalker, vowing to kill him on the orders of her former master. However, Mara Jade is not part of canon in the slightest, which created a problem for an adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy.
5 Upcoming Star Wars Movies and Shows That Could Make Mara Jade Canon
Of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, and with Mara Jade’s return seeming inevitable, where could the rebel-turned-Jedi appear first?
Many viewers have suggested Shin Hati of Ahsoka She could be a modern adaptation of Mara Jade, as a Force user who, complicatedly, once served evil, possibly tied to a new faction on Peridea. This is, so far, the only likely candidate for this role, and it mostly lines up with predictions surrounding Sabine taking Luke’s place in the story as well. Star Wars wants to make a proper adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy, however, they’ll need to establish someone like Mara Jade, among other story elements, before delving into the long-awaited territory of Thrawn’s campaign against the New Republic.
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Soon Star Wars Cinema |
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The Mandalorian and Grogu |
May 22, 2026 |
Grand Admiral Thrawn
The only alien to have risen to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset to the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.
Created by Timothy Zahn Cast Lars Mikkelsen First appearance Star Wars: Heir to the Empire Alias Mitth’raw’nuruodo Chiss Alliance, Empire Chiss race TV shows Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka Star Wars franchise Expand