Dave Filoni’s Surprising Original Vision for Ahsoka Tano Revealed!

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Back in 2008, I was captivated when Ahsoka Tano made her grand entrance in the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” film. She swiftly won the hearts of fans everywhere, transforming from Anakin Skywalker’s spirited apprentice into a profound and admired figure within the Jedi Order. Her narrative, intricately linked with Anakin’s descent and the Empire’s ascent, seemed seamlessly integrated into the Star Wars universe’s rich tapestry.

However, her compelling backstory wasn’t always as we know it today. The creator and current Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni, originally envisioned Ahsoka differently. Before the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series came to life, Filoni harbored a unique concept for Ahsoka, one that stemmed from an earlier, unfortunately unrealized Star Wars project.

This preliminary idea would have significantly changed Ahsoka’s backstory, removing her Jedi connections and positioning her in a distinct role throughout the galaxy. Examining this abandoned plan not only reveals Filoni’s creative growth but also emphasizes the immense influence that The Clone Wars had on shaping one of Star Wars’ most adored characters.

“Ashla” and the Unseen Cast of Original Clone Wars

Prior to the commission for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, Dave Filoni was proposing another Star Wars animated series with a unique twist. Instead of focusing on the usual Jedi-oriented storyline, this early concept centered around characters outside this narrative. One such character resembling Ahsoka Tano was created, though her background and abilities were significantly different. In his 2005 concept art, labeled “Clone Wars Original Cast”, Filoni depicted “Ashla” alongside a group of new characters who didn’t end up in the animated series: Sendak, Lunker, Cad, and Lupe. This suggests an alternate universe where a more diverse cast, possibly less reliant on the Force, might have been at the heart of the story.

To begin with, Ashla, as we know her in this concept, wasn’t a Force-sensitive Togruta found by the Jedi Order at a young age. Filoni’s early illustrations of Ashla portrayed a more mature character, with a long, pleated skirt and traditional attire, contrasting significantly from the youthful, minimalistic appearance of the final Ahsoka Tano. Originally, Filoni envisioned Ashla as an older, well-established character; however, Lucas didn’t favor this design, deeming it “too reminiscent of a classic UFO alien,” and instead preferred a younger, more identifiable look.

Initially, when Ahsoka was being developed, Dave Filoni imagined her as Obi-Wan Kenobi’s apprentice, stepping into the role vacated by Anakin, who had transitioned from being a Padawan to leading the Clone Wars as a General. This would have mirrored the dynamic between Anakin and Obi-Wan, introducing a unique Master-Padawan relationship within the series. However, this idea was eventually discarded. Instead, the Ahsoka character we ultimately saw in the “Clone Wars” film and series resulted from George Lucas’s decision to have Anakin take on a Padawan, which led to the creation of a character blending aspects of Anakin’s impulsiveness with Obi-Wan’s wisdom.

Ashla’s unique backstory vividly reflects Filoni’s early creative leanings and his vision to explore uncharted paths within the Star Wars universe beyond the conventional Jedi paradigm. Initially, he envisioned a character like Ashla as a shrewd, older figure, but George Lucas’ direct intervention significantly altered her fate, transforming it entirely.

George Lucas’s Insistence on Anakin’s Padawan Reworked Ashla into Ahsoka Tano

In crafting “The Clone Wars”, Dave Filoni found himself in a unique position: he got to explore the Star Wars universe during its most vibrant era, filling in the narrative gap between “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”. However, this chance also brought about a major shift for the character Filoni had been developing. As Filoni himself admitted, he hadn’t envisioned Anakin Skywalker having a Padawan, and was as taken aback as everyone else by the introduction to Anakin’s backstory. Initially, Filoni intended for Anakin to continue without an apprentice, following the established canon at the time. But George Lucas, always forward-thinking, had other plans. Lucas wanted a new character to play a significant role: Anakin’s Padawan. This decision fundamentally altered Ashla’s destiny, turning her from a potential apprentice for Obi-Wan into the eager Jedi Padawan we now recognize as Ahsoka Tano.

As I delved deeper into Anakin’s story, our paths intertwined in a way that became essential for understanding his transformation into darkness. This journey underscores the collaborative essence of creative development and the unpredictable twists that projects often take. While my initial concept for Ahsoka and her companions was captivating on its own, it was the needs of The Clone Wars and George Lucas’s vision that enabled a more profound examination of Jedi teachings, the intricacies of war, and the strong bond between master and apprentice. Making Ahsoka Anakin’s padawan not only fostered rich character development for both characters but also provided viewers with an intimate look at the Jedi Order from within. Her initial optimism and later disillusionment with the Council struck a chord with audiences, creating a character who was no longer a Jedi, relying instead on her life experiences to discern right from wrong.

Fundamentally, although Ashla could have been her original background, the Ahsoka Tano we’ve grown attached to – the rule-breaking Padawan, the resilient ex-Jedi, and the undying symbol of hope – underscores the incredible impact of a cooperative storytelling journey within the Star Wars universe. This version of her character has been significantly influenced by the innovative collaboration between Dave Filoni and George Lucas.

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2025-06-08 02:40