‘Star Wars Rebels’ Writer Slams ‘Ahsoka’s’ Sabine Jedi Twist: “It Was a Bad Idea”

Former Star Wars Rebels writer Henry Gilroy has criticized the first season of Ahsoka for turning Sabine Wren into a Jedi. The 2023 streaming series, created by Dave Filoni, confirmed that Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s Sabine is Force-sensitive. In the Season 1 finale, Sabine used the Force without formal training, a moment that divided fans.

Speaking on the Pod of Rebellion podcast, Gilroy said the twist “was absolutely not the plan.” He explained that while working on Rebels, the team had discussed the possibility but decided against it.

“We had a conversation in Season 3 about whether that, and we actually felt that not only did it step on Ezra’s story, but it was a retread. Like we already did this. The idea of Sabine training as a Jedi when she is already this fantastic warrior of her own type, we felt like this is overkill,” he said.

Gilroy also noted that he wasn’t involved in Ahsoka, and seeing Sabine become a Jedi was a surprise. “So, honestly, I had nothing to do with the ‘Ahsoka’ series. So I was shocked. Because pretty much our entire story team discussed and agreed that it was a bad idea. We did a pros and cons list, and we were like, ‘Yeah, is this kind of like a weak retreat. Why would we push that way?’”

He argued that Sabine didn’t need to be Force-sensitive to have a strong story. Gilroy pointed to her journey with the Dark Saber, saying it already showed her leadership and courage. “What I love about her story with the Dark Saber is you don’t have to be a Jedi to have Jedi ideals, and embrace the Jedi philosophy. And I think that’s what’s really a more important thing, rather than like now I’m gonna Force push Ezra from his feet even though I have never used the Force before,” he explained.

The writer also said making Sabine a Jedi “kind of diminished her [story].” “Yeah, I felt like it really kind of diminished her in trying to make her a Jedi, because she doesn’t need it. She doesn’t need to use the Force,” he added.

Sabine is set to return in the second season of Ahsoka, arriving next year. The new season will follow her and Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano as they navigate a new galaxy. Sabine will continue exploring her Force powers while facing new villains, including Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati.

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