A leaked audition tape from actor Adam Templar has pushed the theory that one of the biggest Star Wars villains in Grand Admiral Thrawn may appear in the final chapter of the new trilogy.
Templar begins the audition by introducing himself and then telling the audience that it is his audition tape for Grand Admiral Thrawn. What’s interesting about the tape is that he actually applied blue skin paint and used red contacts to make himself look like Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Take a look at the tape below:
Adam Templar – Grand Admiral Thrawn audition. from Adam Templar on Vimeo.
The tape further pushes the rumors that Grand Admiral Thrawn will show up in J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX. There were already questions the character might show up given that Timothy Zahn who introduced the character in the now Expanded Universe novel Heir to the Empire had revealed his plans for new Thrawn books were on hold due to Episode IX.
Thrawn is probably one of the most popular Star Wars villains and while he might have been introduced in a now Extended Universe novel, the character was made canon when he was introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
In fact, Grand Admiral Thrawn played the primary antagonist for much of Season 3 and Season 4 of Star Wars Rebels. The character was further explored in the novel Thrawn also written by Timothy Zahn. The novel is currently being adapted to comic book form by Marvel Comics.
If you are unfamiliar with Grand Admiral Thrawn, his real name is Mitth’raw’nuruodo, but he goes by Thrawn. He is a male Chiss naval officer and attained the rank of Grand Admiral while serving the Galactic Empire. He’s an expert strategist and tactician and believes in the importance of understanding his enemy’s culture, art, and philosophy in order to gain an advantage against them and eventually defeat them.
It would be very interesting to see Thrawn return in Episode IX. His presence could illuminate some of Snoke’s backstory, but also possibly introduce some brand new threats lurking in the Star Wars universe. Some of those threats are actually hinted at in Thrawn #1, where he tells the Emperor, “There are threats lurking in the unknown regions that will someday find your Empire. I am familiar with them. I offer my military skill to utilize in making plans to seek out and eliminate these dangers.”
It’s quite possible Thrawn actually took control of the remnants of the Empire and began a purge of these threats in the unknown regions. And now he is returning to impose his will.