It’s not exactly a secret that Star Wars has been struggling in recent years. In fact, despite the franchise’s most recent TV show, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, being very well received by most fans (which is a feat in and of itself), its latest movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, had issues at the box office. This is particularly a shame because The Mandalorian and Grogu was Star Wars’ first theatrical release in nearly seven years. The last, notably, had been Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which is largely considered the worst Star Wars movie.
It therefore felt important for The Mandalorian and Grogu to do well, and that sadly wasn’t the case. Granted, Star Wars has some other movies in the works, including the movie Star Wars: Starfighter, which will be released next year. Even so, the franchise is very clearly in a period of strain, and fans are right to be concerned. In fact, while there are myriad movies in the works, Starfighter chief among them, Star Wars TV shows have all but thinned out. In terms of canon TV shows, only Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 and Ahsoka season 2 are confirmed.
This is a massive change from what the franchise has looked like over the last decade or so, which saw a huge focus on shows. This increasingly meant a focus on live-action shows as well, yet Ahsoka season 2 is the only currently confirmed upcoming live-action Star Wars show. Worse still, Ahsoka season 2 is confirmed to be delayed. With all of this tumultuousness, it was actually all too easy to forget one massive, thrilling Star Wars theory for the show—but that could be the thing to turn this around.
Ahsoka Season 2 Has Been Delayed (And Its Timeline Remains Unclear)
Initially, Ahsoka season 2 was expected to be released this summer, especially because filming for the new season had already wrapped by last October. Already, this would have put season 2 out a full three years after season 1, which dropped on August 22, 2023. It’s never great for shows to take that long between seasons—just look at complaints about shows like Bridgerton and Stranger Things—and this is no exception.
The Ahsoka season 1 finale, which included an appearance by Force Ghost Anakin Skywalker, the confirmation that Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren are now trapped on Peridea, and the revelation that (unfortunately) Grand Admiral Thrawn had made it back to the main Star Wars galaxy, as had Ezra Bridger, was thrilling. There were also overt signs that Baylan Skoll was on the search for the Mortis Gods, which was yet another exciting concept. However, how long can fans really maintain that excitement? Three years, arguably, is a stretch.
Unfortunately, fans have to wait even longer, as the show is now expected to be released in early 2027. This is part of a larger troubling trend when it comes to the galaxy far, far away, and it’s really the last thing the franchise needs right now. As much as backlash and hate for Star Wars has been brutal and done damage to the franchise, the fanbase becoming genuinely disinterested is arguably worse. This is particularly disappointing with Ahsoka because there are some brilliant theories on the table that not only shouldn’t be forgotten but also absolutely should be used.
Ezra Bridger Should Absolutely Train Jacen Syndulla
While there were mixed reactions to seeing many of the Star Wars Rebels characters brought to life in live-action in Ahsoka for myriad reasons, Eman Esfandi is genuinely excellent as Ezra Bridger. He has the very same charm, wit, and troublesome nature that Rebels Ezra had, and although he only showed up towards the end of season 1, he will almost certainly be very prominent in season 2. At the very least, he’s already confirmed to be in it, and it would make sense for him to play a major part in this next installment in the story.
One role audiences are particularly hoping to see is that of Jedi Master to Jacen Syndulla. Jacen is the son of Ezra’s own master, Kanan Jarrus, who tragically died saving his friends in Rebels. Even more devastatingly, he never got to meet his son, and it’s not even clear whether he knew Hera Syndulla was pregnant at the time of his death. This would only make it all the more meaningful for Ezra to be the one to train Jacen. And this isn’t just wishful thinking or nostalgia from the fans; season 1 already confirmed that Jacen is Force sensitive.
This would also mean introducing another Jedi Master and Padawan duo, which certainly couldn’t hurt. In fact, given that Ahsoka is set before the sequel trilogy era, which proved to be incredibly controversial, now would actually be a good time to implement another duo that could have their story continue elsewhere. However, that remains to be seen, and the clock is (endlessly) ticking.
Ahsoka Season 2 Is Critically Important For Star Wars’ Future—So It Needs To Move Quickly
While there are plenty of naysayers in the Star Wars fanbase who are going to bash just about anything, and that has definitely included the Ahsoka show, this series is actually crucial for the future of the franchise. As mentioned, Ahsoka season 2 is the only currently confirmed upcoming live-action Star Wars TV show. Yes, Star Wars Celebration is happening in May of 2027, but that’s a long while to wait for another show announcement, if one is coming. It’s therefore important for Star Wars to keep the momentum going and prove the franchise can still put out solid shows.
This is actually even more important following The Mandalorian and Grogu. If Star Wars was hoping that movie would prove that the franchise was back and ready to be movie-focused again, that isn’t what happened. Clearly, Star Wars needs shows, and Ahsoka season 2 (and Maul – Shadow Lord season 2) therefore has some heavy lifting. Pushing that release date back, as has already happened once, isn’t going to make that job any easier.
What’s more, while most in the fanbase agree that it was time to do something beyond the Skywalker family, and Star Wars has done that with shows like Andor, there’s no denying that a bit of Skywalker being added to the mix when things are so precarious would be a benefit. Right now, the only upcoming project confirmed to have a Skywalker in it is Ahsoka season 2, as Hayden Christensen is officially returning as Anakin Skywalker. Star Wars should absolutely jump on that sooner rather than later by releasing Ahsoka season 2 as quickly as possible.
- Release Date
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August 22, 2023
- Network
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Disney+
