Thrawn for Episode IX?

It is no great leap to say that the Star Wars Expanded Universe would barely exist without Timothy Zahn. There were only a smattering of Star Wars novels published prior to 1991. There was “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye”, the 1978 novel by Alan Dean Foster which was Lucas’ back-up Star Wars sequel in case he did not have the funds to produce “The Empire Strikes Back”. There was “The Lando Calrissian Adventures” by N. Neil Smith that was a little weird and too Sci-Fi at some parts which included Ant-Man style growing and shrinking. There were the “Han Solo Adventures” Trilogy by Brian Daley. But none of these were huge successes and none of these launched a renaissance of Star Wars interest in the way that Zahn’s “Thrawn Trilogy” did.

There are probably a number of reasons why Zahn’s books from the early nineties were so successful. Perhaps it was the fact that these books were the first true sequels to “Return of the Jedi”. Perhaps it was because of the world building that Zahn did- meticulously crafting new characters, planets, technologies, starships, and concepts. Maybe it was just a good time for a renaissance- It had been eight years since the release of “Return of the Jedi” and the kids who grew up with the original trilogy now had jobs, money, and the just the right amount of nostalgia.

Zahn’s trilogy launched the Old Expanded Universe. Everything that followed his novels, were in some way born from those books. Characters such as Mara Jade, Jaina & Jacen Solo, Captain Pellaeon, Rukh, Talon Karrde, Garm Bel Iblis, and Borsk Fey’la went on to play important roles in the sudden explosion of Star Wars books, comics, and video games. But no character is more memorable and connected to Zahn’s trilogy than Grand Admiral Thrawn.

The Life and Death and Life of Thrawn

I think Grand Admiral Thrawn is so impactful because he is somewhat of an Anti-Villain. Though he is set up as the antagonist of Zahn’s trilogy, Thrawn is someone to be looked up to. A worthy opponent to our heroes. Thrawn is never evil for evil’s sake. He just wants to do his job and he’s really, really good at it. He is the leader that anyone would want to follow: devoted, passionate, and forgiving.

Yet Thrawn’s reign as the leader of the Empire was over, almost as quick as it had begun. When Zahn decided to kill Thrawn at the end of his trilogy of novels, the Grand Admiral became unavailable to the other authors of the Expanded Universe. Perhaps this was ultimately for the better. Zahn writes Thrawn in such a meticulous fashion, that I doubt other writers would be able to do it.

When Lucasfilm was sold to Disney, the opportunity came about to raise Thrawn from the dead. Initially this came in the form of animation. Thrawn was introduced into Rebels Season 3. The new incarnation of the character was okay, but something was missing- perhaps his compassion, perhaps his inner Zahn-ness.

Fortunately, Lucasfilm lent the character back to his original owner. Zahn published a Thrawn origin-story in the summer of 2017, and it was perhaps the greatest novel Zahn has ever published (certainly it’s the finest Thrawn story). Another book, “Thrawn Alliances”, was published in the summer of 2018. This time the novel was both a prequel to Zahn’s 2017 “Thrawn” novel and a sequel to “Rebels Season 3”. “Thrawn Alliances” tells the story of Grand Admiral Thrawn on a mission with Darth Vader while flashbacks show the story of a Pre-Imperial Thrawn on a similar mission with Jedi Anakin Skywalker.

One hopes that Zahn continues to write Thrawn novels. Perhaps the next one will take place after “Rebels Season 4”.

Thrawn in Episode IX?

When it was announced that Richard E Grant was cast in Episode IX, rumors started circulating that he would be playing Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn would certainly fit in nicely with the rest of Grant’s repertoire. I think Grant would pull it off nicely. Grant’s face shape and height would make a good Thrawn. Grant’s age would even fit with the established timeline, where Thrawn would be much older during the sequel era. So the rumor makes sense.

So is Richard E Grant playing Grand Admiral Thrawn in Episode IX? I’m thinking probably not. It would be odd introducing the character into the last film the trilogy. I’m all for having Expanded Universe characters in films, although they would probably fit better into the non-episodic films.

If we do happen to see Thrawn in Episode IX it would be a huge payoff to Timothy Zahn and all the fans that have loved Thrawn for nearly 30 years. If we don’t see Thrawn in the film, here’s to hoping we get a lot more Expanded Universe Thrawn stories. Either way, I hope we get more Thrawn. Long may he reign.