The Mandalorian Ahsoka Grand Admiral Thrawn

But Thrawn’s like 70 years old and has spent the past decade living on a shipwreck in Scotland.

 

Well, you don't need to "point something out", as if educating someone, when you are stating a personal opinion and not an objective fact.

IMO, there certainly can be occasions where there needs to be in-universe reasons for a character looking different, even when translating that character from books or animation to live action. If Ezra were to be suddenly played by a 80-year old actor when appearing on-screen in Peridea after supposedly only having been gone 10 years - it would break canon (and plausibility) if there weren't an in-universe explanation as to why he appears so different from his animation counterpart. Or if, say, Ahsoka were to be completely without her montrals when appearing for the first time in live-action, this shift in appearance would need an in-universe explanation as well.

To clarify, I am in no way, shape or form saying that the human actor Lars Mikkelsen not looking exactly like a twig-like animated Chiss character is canon-breaking to the point where it needs a line of dialogue to explain. Nor would "Ahsokas montrals looking slightly different in live action vs. animation" fall into that category. But what I am saying is that, there can be situations where that explanation needs to be there for the story to make sense.

"But as others have pointed out, Thrawn is older now, so why can't that be an "in-universe" reason?" - Not sure if you're replying to me with this one, but I did state in my earlier post that this was a perfectly reasonable explanation for the slight change in appearance and what I personally choose to adapt as head-canon.

"Again, the idea that we need in-universe reasons for adaptations into live action isn't tenable when it should be obvious that the actor was chosen for his voice and ability to represent Thrawn's intellectual qualities, which are his key qualities, not his ability to look like a trim stud in action scenes." - I am quite sure it is perfectly obvious to most people why Lars was chosen. At least it is to me. I am, however, at this point starting to believe your reply was not meant for me, haha.

Because, again, if you look at my earlier post, this is what my take was on those exact key qualities:

- "(The physicality) is certainly not AS important of a trait to his character as the intellect, the pragmatism, the poise, the ruthlessness, his loyalty to his people and the loyalty he inspires among those around him. But it is there, and it has been established."
- "And so to me, the physique thing is a very minor nitpick, if anything, as they absolutely nailed the more important parts of his portrayal."

Also, with statements like "rock hard abs" and "trim stud" in your posts, I kind of feel like the only one currently "fixating on bods" in here... is you. Because I can't remember having seen anyone on these boards say they need Thrawn to be the physical embodiment of an 80's action hero, or that he needs to take off his shirt every scene.

What I have seen are Thrawn superfans (like me), hoping to have the character realized to a million percent of their expectations from books and animation and stating their personal nitpicks about what live-action got right/didn't get right, while at the same time accepting that those expectations aren't always realistic.

Finally, I'd like to reiterate that I am happy with Lars' performance and I think it was the correct casting choice. Now, let's see him Kung Fu fight some assassin droids

 

As regard Thrawn's live action appearance, he could've been bald in Ahsoka and I'd've just thought he's changed over the years. Growing gracefully (or Colonel Kurtz-y).

I mean, if we're concerned about appearances, we collectively seem to be thinking the crew of the Chimaera and the Night Troopers are...zombies.

Isn't that a bit more stupefying?

I think we all liked the cuddly Bib Fortuna in TBOBF. Mikkelson is great for Thrawn in every way IMHO.

 

I find that his super tall AND more rotund physique (with none of that fat in his face though) makes him even more unsettling. Like a tall blue Colonel Kurtz.

Actually, he comes across as a Frankenstein/ Dracula/ Kurtz/ Serpent hybrid to me, and it makes me uncomfortable in all the right ways.

Or…like a humanoid, blue boa constrictor who’s just eaten.

I can keep these similes going, if you like. Point is he’s scary.

 

Definitely agree with the bolded. Lars and Dave got that part just right Even I, as a viewer, felt anxious when he did his staredown of Morgan.

Also, where is our :Thrawn: emoji, damnit?!

 

The Thrawn emoji must include his belly.

 

Wonder how much Bendu's prophesy turning out true in a painful way affected Thrawn's view on the Force.

 

To me the most important physical trait they had to get right was the red eyes. It was always the most striking feature that the books always stressed and the show captured that perfectly. They were practically vampiric in that dark chamber with Sabine.

 

Yup, again something I felt they nailed.

 

With his red eyes and the organ music, I think Dracula-esque is the main impression they want to leave. And it works.

 

I am definitely stealing this

 

do you think Thrawn has a chimera tattoo on his abdomen? Wouldn't put it past him.

 

Ok, got what you're saying people but i'm gonna throw a curveball here.
But first remember somenthing Baylan said towards episode's end: the enemy of your enemy is your friend. FOR A MOMENT.

And i wonder how much of this philosophy applies to Thrawn.
I mean, are the Nightsisters his allies or just the enemy of a commom enemy ( the Jedi) that he tolerate for the hour ?
I don't think the Nightsisters care for the empire or for the Republic. Will they really supoport Thrawn in a bid the recreate the Empire?
Or they have an agenda of their own ?And what about those caskets ? If the Nightsisters idea is create their own army of undead how believe they wouldn't overtake the Galaxy for themselves.
After all how trustable the witches are?
Here's the first part of my theory and it's about why Thrawn never really went after Ezra.

See Ezra gives him a commom enemy, a bond with the nigthsister. If he got rid easily and fast with Ezra maybe te Nightsister would find THrawn lost his utility. And at the same time if some reason Thrawn lost all confidence in the witches he knew that in the end he would need Ezra.
Never looked way too hard to find Ezra ( Sabine did almost imediatelly) or when Morgan asked why not send more troops he came up with some half assed answer.
A pragmatical animal, in the end, Thrawn knew it would make him no good just killing Ezra.

But now to the main point:
Thrawn confesses to Morgan that the main objective is to return to the galaxy saying the fate of the jedi wasn't important.
But.
Shouldn't this apply to the witches also ?
If Thrawn knew the witches pose a greater danger to the galaxy would he still let they go back in there ?
Didn't he joy the Empire to protect his people/race ? So is he people safe with the witches ?

And so here comes the part where my theory gets wild:
See, many people seem to think that either Baylan or Shin will turn in the end and sacrifice to save the heroes.
But what if there's a twist and

Spoiler

Thrawn in the end is the one who sacrifices himself to avoid that a greater evil goes back in the main galaxy ?

 

Whatever is calling to Baylan seems like a greater threat than the Witches, since he suggests they’re actively trying to flee the galaxy from it.

 

Thrawn will not betray the Nightsisters until he fulfills his deal with them, which is to transport them to the main Galaxy. Presumably, the Great Mothers intend to set up a colony where their civilization can rise again, free of whoever or whatever is stopping them in Peridea. With the Jedi gone, the Nightsisters could become a threat down the line. But I don’t think Thrawn will break his deal with them.

He doesn’t seem especially concerned that the threat in Peridea will follow them back, though.

 

Of course he'll betray them. Everybody knows that witches get stitches.

 

My belated Thrawn take: I really enjoyed him. I thought Mikkelsen's delivery and facial work was wonderful. I also appreciate his height. Do I wish his physique was a little more athletic? Yes. But it doesn't bother me that much. Overall the pros easily outweigh the cons. I've heard some people complain about the eyes, skin, and wig but none of that felt off to me personally.

 

Fantastic image quality. Makes it even more obvious how torn and frayed his uniform his. Good post.

 

I do wonder how many tunics he had? I’d wager at least 12.

 

A quick question from someone who knows the bare minimum about the guy and who has not read the novels or watched the relevant animations - Has the character ever done anything so clever that warrants the 'super intelligent military strategist' title he has got? If so, was this in the books or the animations?

 

I’m glad they kept the crests on his forehead. I thought they were not present when I watched the trailer

 

Yup. It’s a subtle but unsettling feature.

 

Mhmm. When rebels came out I appreciated that they made the chiss just slightly more alien instead of just being blue humans.

 

Yup. Despite not having long head tails, he looks more alien than Hera and Ahsoka.