Star Wars: 10 Things Fans Need To Know About Admiral Thrawn
He was name dropped by Ahsoka in The Mandalorian, but what do fans need to know about Thrawn?
In October 2012, there was a great disturbance in the force, as if millions of Star Wars fans suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.
Disney had officially purchased Lucasfilm and with a single stroke declared decades of Star Wars lore no longer canon. Understandably, this was done to create new stories without the restrictions of the expanded universe. However, the old canon, now dubbed "Legends" held many beloved stories and characters including the likes of Revan, Mara Jade, and of course, Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Thrawn was introduced as the main antagonist during the Heir to the Empire story in 1991. He fought against the Rebels and the New Republic during the final moments of the Galactic Civil War and was known for his intellect and strategies. During a crucial moment in a battle, Thrawn was betrayed and murdered in his officers' chair.
However, thanks to Clones Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian writer Dave Filoni, Thrawn was reestablished into Star Wars canon.
Along with a lengthy appearance on Star Wars Rebels, Thrawn has had three books written about him with a fourth well on the way. So, here's everything you NEED to know about the newly canonised Thrawn.
10. Most People Have No Idea What He Is
Grand Admiral Thrawn comes from an ancient race known as the Chiss, from the planet Csilla in the unknown regions.
The problem with coming from the unknown regions is that no one knows where that is. The extent of their interaction with the known galaxy boiled down to a few trade routes in the past with planets on the outer rim. Because of this limited relationship, the Chiss passed into legend among the planets they had once visited. The only reason Thrawn could initially interact with the imperials is due to Eli Vanto's understanding of the old trader language, Sy Bisti.
This proved to be a ruse, however, as Thrawn could speak basic the entire time but that is another story entirely.
Out of all of the imperials that made the first contact with Thrawn, Vanto was the only member to correctly identify him as a Chiss. Many imperials simply misidentify Thrawn as a Pantoran, a similarly blue-skinned humanoid with the key differences being the natural hair and eye colour.
Despite Thrawn's vast accomplishments, many imperial officers would still look down on him simply for being an alien.