}); The Road to Episode Infinity: March 2020

Sunday, March 22, 2020

The Voices from Rey's Vision


Near the end of the third act of the third movie of the third trilogy, Rey has a vision. Her vision includes 12 Jedi talking to her from the dead. Voices of Jedi past also gives fans a treat- the voices of 12 actors who have portrayed these characters in television and film.

But who is who? Which voice is which? Where have we heard them before?


Aayla Secura
“Let it Guide You” 

Aayla Secura was created for the comic series “Star Wars: Republic”. Lucas is not a reader of comics, but after seeing the cover of one he decided that the character deserved a place in “Attack of the Clones”.

Amy Allen portrayed Aayla in Episode II and Episode III, but had no spoken lines. However in the Clone Wars cartoon series Aayla was voiced by Jennifer Hale. The character had a French accent (an accent that a lot of Twi’leks were given in that series).


Ahsoka Tano
"As It Guided Us"

Ahsoka Tano has been voiced by Ashley Eckstein ever since the 2008 film "The Clone Wars". Ashley has voiced the character through 13 seasons of 3 different series. She also narrated the audiobook "Ahsoka" by E. K. Johnston. 

Ashley is a fan favorite and for years fans have been petitioning for Ahsoka to appear in a live action series or film. Recent reports suggest that Ahsoka will appear in The Mandalorian Season 2, but she will be portrayed by Rosario Dawson.

Other reports suggest that Ashley Eckstein will return to the role of Ahsoka in an upcoming "Rebels" sequel series.

 

Adi Gallia
“Rise Rey”

Adi Gallia first appeared in “The Phantom Menace” and was portrayed by Gin Clarke. Lucasfilm did not have consistency in the actors portraying Jedi Council members between Episodes I and II. Many of the characters were recast, but the recasting was so apparent that some of the “Attack of the Clones” council were eventually given character names that were distinct from their “Phantom Menace” counterparts. Eeth Koth became Agen Kolar. Adi Gallia became Stass Ali.

When Adi Gallia eventually reemerged in the Clone Wars cartoon series she was voiced be Angelique Perrin. Perrin had previously voiced the character Paris Seltzer in the Nickelodeon series “All Grown Up!” Perrin also voiced other characters in “Clone Wars” including Mama the Hutt.

 

Luminara Unduli
“In the Night, Find the Light, Rey”

Luminara Unduli was played by Mary Oyaya in Attack of the Clones and Fay David in Revenge of the Sith.

In “Clone Wars”, however, Master Unduli was voiced by Olivia d'Abo. Olivia most famous work was her portrayl of Karen Arnold on The Wonder Years. She voice work includes Sonya Blade in a Mortal Kombat cartoon series and Jane Porter in The Legend of Tarzan cartoon series.



Kanan Jarrus
“In the heart of a Jedi lies her strength”

Freddie Prinze Jr. did an excellent job portraying the Jedi Kanan Jarrus in four seasons of "Rebels". Fans point to Kanan's relationship with Hera Syndulla as one of the greatest romances of the Star Wars saga (an inter-species relationship to boot).  The fact that their child Jacen Syndulla was born out of wedlock is actually surprisingly progressive material for a children's cartoon, but it's one that most people did not notice or think about.


Yoda
Alone never have you been”
“Rise in the Force”

Frank Oz is no stranger to voicing Yoda. Not only has he provided Yoda's voice in seven Star Wars films, but in some episodes of "Rebels" as well. Originally George Lucas did not like Frank's take on Yoda, but came around to it eventually.


Qui-Gon Jinn
“Every Jedi who ever lived, lives in you”
“We stand behind you, Rey”
"Rise"

Liam Neeson portrayed Qui-Gon Jinn in "The Phantom Menace" but for whatever reason he did not return to voice the character in "Revenge of the Sith". I'm not sure if he opted out or if he was never offered to come in and say some lines. Whatever the case, Neeson did return to voice Qui-Gon in "The Clone Wars" and in "The Rise of Skywalker". There have been rumors for a long time that Neeson could return as a Force Ghost in the long rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series.


Luke Skywalker
“Rey, the Force will be with you, Always"

If there's one thing Mark Hamill is known for outside of Luke Skywalker it is his voice acting. Notably he has voiced The Joker in many projects since 1992. Though Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix have both won Oscars for portraying The Joker, no one has put more hours into portraying that character as Mark Hamill.

Though Hamill is famous for his voice work, he has not voiced Luke Skywalker in many Star Wars projects. Hamill voiced Luke is the radio dramatizations of "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back" but did not return for "Return of the Jedi". Luke Skywalker doesn't actually appear in a lot of the cartoon series, but Hamill did voice Luke in a couple episodes of "Forces of Destiny". Hamill also portrayed Darth Bane in "The Clone Wars". He also voice Dobbu Scay in "The Last Jedi" and he voiced Boolio in "The Rise of Skywalker". 


Mace Windu
“You’re not alone, Rey”
"Feel the Force flowing through you, Rey"

Samuel L. Jackson loves Star Wars and loves Mace Windu. He famously convinced Lucas to give Windu a purple lightsaber. He has fought against Windu's death for ages and has contributed to a fan theory that Windu survived "Revenge of the Sith". Despite all this Jackson has only returned to voice Windu twice- The 2008 film "The Clone Wars" and "The Rise of Skywalker". That being said, if Windu ever returned in a live action project, I'm sure Sam Jackson would jump at the chance to reprise the character.


Obi-Wan Kenobi
“These are your final steps, Rey. Rise, and take them”

Though Sir Alec Guinness became one with The Force in the year 2000, J.J. found a way to include his voice in "The Force Awakens" and "The Rise of Skywalker". Sir Alec's line "Rey." was lifted from "A New Hope" where Obi-Wan says "Don't be afraid" to R2-D2.

Ewan McGregor has also reprised the role of Obi-Wan twice since "Revenge of the Sith". Once was for "The Force Awakens" in which he says "Rey, these our your first steps" paying homage to an Alec Guinness line from "A New Hope". In "The Rise of Skywalker" McGregor's line is "Rey, these our your final steps".

McGregor is slated to return as Obi-Wan Kenobi in a TV series for Disney+