Movies & TV / News
Ashley Eckstein Addresses Fan Backlash About Her Not Playing Ahsoka in The Mandalorian
Image Credit: Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Company
The idea of someone other than Ashley Eckstein playing Ahsoka Tano in any form has some fans vocally upset, and Eckstein addressed reports she won’t be playing her in The Mandalorian season two. As previously reported, Rosario Dawson is said to have been cast as Ahsoka in the Disney+ series’ second season. Eckstein has voiced the character throughout the character’s existence including in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (both the film and the animated TV series that followed), a voice line in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker several video games and more.
While Dawson has been a popular fan-casting choice for a live-action version of Ahsoka, the fact that Eckstein is so identified with the role brought out a few fans who were quite upset with the idea of someone else playing her. Eckstein has posted to her Instagram with a lengthy statement in which she thanks fans for their support and added:
“The truth is, I am not involved in The Mandalorian. I can’t answer questions that I have not been a part of. I am an actress and have performed in all types of mediums; live action film/television, theater, voice-over, hosting and it has been my dream for 14 years to continue to play Ahsoka Tano in all forms. I will continue to be grateful for opportunities to help create stories for Ahsoka Tano and I am always happy to see her legacy continued. I am only one member of a tremendously talented team of people that it takes to bring Ahsoka Tano to life. The final decisions for Ahsoka are not mine to make and I cannot comment on something that I truly know nothing about.”
She goes on to say how excited she is for Ahsoka’s return to The Clone Wars, noting that “Dave Filoni and the entire cast and crew truly knocked this one, not just out of the park, but out of the Universe!”
Disney has yet to confirm that Dawson is playing Ahsoka in The Mandalorian season two, which is currently scheduled to return in October.
