Bringing Animation to Live-Action [00:04] Host Andi Gutierrez introduces the guests by noting that for years, fans could only experience the stories of these characters in animated form through The Clone Wars and Rebels. She announces that two fan-favorite characters, Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren, are making the leap to live-action. She welcomes Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo to the stage. [01:19] Dawson and Bordizzo take their seats, taking a moment to look out at the massive crowd and pointing out all the fans wearing Ahsoka hats and cosplays. Gutierrez welcomes them and asks if they went back to watch the animated shows for inspiration and research before taking on the roles. [01:56] Dawson enthusiastically confirms that she watched the shows over and over again, constantly freeze-framing moments. She explains that she works closely with their stunt coordinator, Ming, who she describes as a literal Jedi. Dawson shares that Ming was taken to a temple at nine years old and trained in martial arts for ten years. Dawson explains that she will take screenshots from the animated shows to Ming and ask if she can be trained to do a specific move. While Ming sometimes has to remind her that certain animated moves are physically impossible for a real human, they find incredible ways to adapt the action. Dawson expresses deep gratitude for having that animated history to play off of. The Best Birthday Present [03:12] Gutierrez shifts the conversation to the casting process. She notes the massive fan campaign for Dawson to play Ahsoka, but asks both actresses what the process of getting involved in the series was actually like. [03:29] Dawson begins to answer, calling the experience very magical, but notes that Bordizzo has a very similar, intense experience since she had been cast for an entire year in secret. At this point, they realize Bordizzo’s microphone isn’t working. After a brief pause, a crew member named Cam runs out to replace it. [04:02] With a working microphone, Bordizzo thanks everyone for being there and acknowledges that Sabine means so much to so many people. She reveals, “I have known that I would be playing Sabine for a year, and I’m so relieved that I can openly fangirl with the rest of you.” [04:46] Bordizzo adds another massive piece of news, confirming that production on the Ahsoka series officially started three weeks prior, which happened to fall exactly on her birthday. She calls it the best birthday present ever. She assures the crowd that they deserve to see the next chapter of Rebels, declaring that the journey is not over. Growing with the Characters [05:19] Gutierrez asks why these specific characters have resonated so deeply with the fans over the years. [05:28] Dawson explains that it is because the characters are not perfect. They are flawed, they have internal struggles, and fans have watched them mature and develop over years and years. She notes that stepping into the live-action iteration feels like drawing from real memories because the history is so established. [06:07] Dawson shifts to praise Dave Filoni, noting that having him on set every single day makes him the most remarkable collaborator. She explains that no question is too dumb or idiosyncratic for him, and if you email him a question, you will get paragraphs of history in return. Dawson also praises the crew, pointing out that many of them attended the Celebration panel on their day off simply because they love the franchise so much. The Core Themes of Star Wars [07:21] Gutierrez agrees, noting that asking Filoni a simple question usually results in a dissertation on film history and Akira Kurosawa. She asks if Filoni has passed on any specific bits of wisdom that have stuck with them. [07:39] Bordizzo answers first, stating that Filoni reminded her that Star Wars is ultimately about hope, being uplifting, and family. She notes that despite facing great danger, the characters remain playful and keep their sense of humor, which is how she gets inspired by playing Sabine. [08:11] Dawson adds that the story isn’t just a simple tale of good guys versus bad guys. It is about balance, humanity, and recognizing duality. She explains that it is about knowing you are going to falter, but not allowing that mistake to completely derail your path. Dawson believes this is why the story has lasted for generations—it is not just a distraction, but a way of life. Experiencing the Fans [09:12] Gutierrez asks Bordizzo what it is like experiencing her very first Star Wars Celebration and seeing the fans up close and personal. [09:27] Bordizzo smiles and says, “Now I know why Dave and Jon are so obsessed with the fans, because they’re the best.” She reveals that Filoni and Favreau constantly talk about the fans on set every single day, keeping the audience at the forefront of their minds while making the show. [09:46] Gutierrez concludes the interview, thanking them for coming out and joking that she will let them get back to filming so the series can get to the screens as fast as possible.