‘Star Wars Rebels’ Writer Criticizes ‘Ahsoka’ for Sabine’s Jedi Turn: “It Was a Bad Idea”

Former Star Wars Rebels writer Henry Gilroy has voiced criticism over the Ahsoka series’ choice to make Sabine Wren a Jedi.

The news comes after the 2023 show confirmed Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s Sabine as Force-sensitive, culminating in the Season 1 finale where the Mandalorian used the Force without any formal training. Fans had mixed reactions to this unexpected twist.

Speaking on the Pod of Rebellion podcast, Gilroy said the idea of Sabine becoming a Jedi was never part of the plan for the character. “It was absolutely not the plan. As a matter of fact, 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,” he explained.

He added that Sabine was already a strong and capable warrior in her own right. “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.”

Gilroy admitted he had no involvement in the Ahsoka series and was surprised by the change. “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?’”

The writer emphasized that Sabine’s story didn’t require Jedi abilities to be compelling. He highlighted her journey with the Darksaber as an example. “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.”

Gilroy concluded that making Sabine a Jedi diminished her story as it was originally told. “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.”

Fans can expect to see Sabine again in the second season of Ahsoka next year. The upcoming season will follow her alongside Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano in a new galaxy, where she will continue to explore her Force abilities while facing off against Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati.

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