The Women of Ahsoka

Host Krystina Arielle enthusiastically welcomes three incredible women to the Star Wars Celebration LIVE! stage: Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Sabine Wren), and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Hera Syndulla) [00:27]. Welcoming the stars of the upcoming Disney+ series Ahsoka, Arielle sets the stage for a conversation about stepping into these beloved, iconic roles.

Manifesting a Lifestyle

Arielle asks Dawson about her journey with Ahsoka Tano, having first brought the character to live-action in The Mandalorian [02:20]. Dawson shares that playing Ahsoka has been a true lifestyle change, noting she meditates every day and underwent intense training [02:34]. Reflecting on her long path to the part, Dawson tells the story of how a piece of fan-cast art from BossLogic years ago caught the attention of Dave Filoni, leading to a Skype call [03:09]. She urges fans to “keep manifesting,” hoping the audience’s love will lead to a second season [02:56].

Stepping Into Big Shoes

Turning to the newcomers, Arielle asks Bordizzo and Winstead about their experiences [03:51]. Bordizzo reflects on how much her understanding of Sabine Wren has grown since she was first announced at the previous Celebration. She explains that Sabine has faced a lot of demons and overcome them to find hope again [04:19]. Winstead discusses the honor of bringing Hera Syndulla to live-action, describing her as an incredible pilot and “space mom” [05:05]. She emphasizes the challenge and pride of stepping into “shoes that were big to fill” to play a character who is a general, a legend, and simultaneously nurturing and kind [05:28]. When asked what the most surprising aspect of joining Star Wars was, Bordizzo gives a heartfelt response: “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a family” [06:13].

The Mastermind: Dave Filoni

The conversation shifts to the show’s creator and executive producer, Dave Filoni. Arielle asks the trio what they learned from him that changed their performances [10:07]. Winstead describes Filoni as an open book, noting that they discussed iconic generals like George S. Patton to help shape Hera’s cinematic presence [11:00]. Bordizzo laughs about Filoni’s single-minded focus, sharing that she could bring up a random topic like her dog in Australia, and he would somehow relate it back to Star Wars [11:30]. Dawson expresses immense gratitude for Filoni’s encyclopedic knowledge and collaborative nature. She notes that his deep trust gave her the confidence she needed to step fully into Ahsoka’s boots [12:31].

One Word to Describe the Series

Before wrapping up the interview, Arielle challenges the cast to describe the upcoming Ahsoka series in just one word [13:28]. Winstead chooses “Majestic” [13:37]. Bordizzo opts for “Badass” [13:45]. Dawson caps it off with “Intense,” warning the audience that they “don’t pull any punches” and telling the fans to “be prepared” [14:05].