‘Star Wars Rebels’ Writer Slams ‘Ahsoka’s’ Sabine Jedi Twist: “It Was a Bad Idea”

by

Henry Gilroy, a writer from the show Star Wars Rebels, has voiced concerns about the first season of Ahsoka. He specifically criticized the decision to make Sabine Wren a Jedi. The 2023 series, created by Dave Filoni, revealed that Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s character, Sabine, is connected to the Force. The season finale featured Sabine using the Force without any prior training, which proved to be a controversial moment among viewers.

In an interview on the Pod of Rebellion podcast, Gilroy revealed the plot twist wasn’t originally intended. He said the Rebels team had considered it during development but ultimately chose not to include it.

I remember a discussion we had during Season 3 about a particular storyline, and honestly, we felt it really interfered with Ezra’s arc. It just felt… repetitive, like we’d explored similar territory before. The idea of Sabine suddenly becoming a Jedi felt unnecessary, especially since she was already such a skilled and unique warrior in her own right. It just felt like too much.

I have to admit, I was pretty surprised by how things played out with Sabine in Ahsoka, and it sounds like the creative team felt the same way. Dave Filoni told me he wasn’t involved in that series, and apparently, a lot of discussion went into whether making Sabine a Jedi was a good idea. They really debated it, even making a pros and cons list, and ultimately felt it wasn’t the right move – that it felt like a step backward. So seeing it happen on screen was definitely a shock, even to those who weren’t directly working on the show.

I’ve always felt Sabine’s story didn’t need the Force to be compelling, and Dave Filoni clearly agrees. He highlighted her arc with the Darksaber as proof – it’s about demonstrating leadership and bravery, not magical powers. As he put it, you don’t have to be a Jedi to live by Jedi principles. It’s far more interesting to see someone embody those ideals through action and character, rather than suddenly gaining Force abilities and doing something flashy without any prior experience. It’s about the philosophy, not just the power.

As a fan, I really agreed with what the writer said about Sabine. Honestly, turning her into a Jedi felt like it actually hurt her character arc. He pointed out, and I feel the same way, that she’s already so strong and capable without needing the Force. It almost felt unnecessary and took away from what made her special.

Sabine will be back in the second season of Ahsoka, which is coming out next year. The new season will focus on Sabine and Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano as they journey through a new galaxy. Sabine will keep developing her abilities with the Force while battling new enemies like Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati.

Read More

2025-11-18 22:44