OneStar Wars Rebelsactor refused to reprise his role inAhsoka, and with good reason. WhileAhsokadid focus on Ahsoka Tano, her relationship with her apprentice, and her struggle for closure, it essentially becameStar Wars Rebelsseason 5. With the plot’s primary focus being the search for Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn – which was set up to be led by Ahsoka and Sabine in theStar Wars Rebelsepilogue–Ahsokaserved as a direct continuation of theRebelsstory, with a few tweaks to canon here and there.
As such,Ahsokafeatured live-action versions of nearly the wholeRebelssquad, including the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, Rebel General Hera Syndulla, Hera’s son, Jacen, the loyal yet mischievous droid Chopper, and the missing Jedi, Ezra Bridger. Lasat warrior Garazeb Orrelios had previously made his brief live-action debut inThe Mandalorianseason 3. Just one essentialGhost Crew memberwas missing:Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus, originally voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr. As it turns out, Prinze Jr. wasn’t keen on reprising his role inAhsoka.
Quick Links
Freddie Prinze Jr. Believes There’s A Danger Of Minimizing Kanan’s Death
Tragically, of course,Kanan Jarrus sacrificed his life inStar Wars Rebelsseason 4to save Sabine, Hera, and Ezra from an explosion at an Imperial fuel refinery. This was a pivotal moment inRebelsand the galaxy at large – Kanan’s sacrifice directly led to Ezra being able to make his own sacrifice, defeating Grand Admiral Thrawn and liberating Lothal from the clutches of the Empire.Kanan’s death is one of the most painful and impactful moments in the franchise, and Prinze Jr. didn’t want to“dilute [Kanan’s] impact”by returning to voice the character a third time.
As he explained in aninterview with podcaster Kristian Harloff, he was asked to record a line forStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerand to voice a young Kanan – thenknown as Caleb Dume– inStar Wars: The Bad Batch’s premiere.“I feel like every time you hear Kanan’s voice since Rebels ended, it really kind of dilutes his impact. I was asked as a favor, but I feel like all their favors are used up now,”the actor said. When Harloff asked,“So no Ahsoka?”Prinze Jr. responded,“No Ahsoka. I’m done with Kanan. I’m too old for that stuff.”
Don’t Expect More Live-Action Kanan Jarrus With Freddie Prinze Jr.
Prinze Jr.’s thoughts on the matter are understandable. Kanan’s time inStar Warseffectively ended inRebelsseason 4, and he passed on the torch to his undeniably capable Padawan. He survived Order 66, found a reason to live and connect with the Force again when he met Hera and the rest of the Ghost crew, and served the Rebellion well, mentoring a new Jedi during the dark days of the Empire’s reign.
Bringing him back for Ahsoka, even as a Force ghost or disembodied voice, would minimize the importance of Kanan’s death and Ezra’s willingness to let his Master go forever.
Bringing him back forAhsoka, even as a Force ghost or disembodied voice, would minimizethe importance of Kanan’s deathand Ezra’s willingness to let his Master go forever.Ezra needed to learn that lesson. He wouldn’t be the Jedi he is now without it.
Additionally, as more thoroughly explained inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, not every Jedi has the power to become a Force ghost. It’s something a Jedi needs to learn, and Kanan never did. So how else would he even come back? A flashback? Prinze Jr.’s arguments remain just as relevant.Star Wars Rebelsand otherStar Warstie-ins told us everything we needed to know about Kanan Jarrus. He was a model Jedi, and now, it’s time for the rest ofStar Wars Rebels’crew to shine whenAhsokareturns for season 2.
