Grand Admiral Thrawn has been rumored to appear in a live-action Star Wars film. If it happens, here a few suggestions in who could play him.
Rumors surfaced a while back Grand Admiral Thrawn would appear as the main antagonist of an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, and Star Wars fans rejoiced that one of the most ruthless villains in the Star Wars universe would make his live-action debut.
A lot of fans have been anxious to see Thrawn in a movie ever since his time on Star Wars: Rebels, yet Disney hasn’t laid out any plans to bring him to the big screen. Despite more recent reports of all of the independent A Star Wars Story movies halting production, I still believe Thrawn will grace our screen eventually, and you need the perfect actor to play such an intricate personality.
1. Lee Pace
Actor Lee Pace. Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for FIJI Water.
Lee Pace has gained fame among sci-fi fans due to his portrayal of Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy, and that performance is what makes me think he would be an excellent Thrawn. Not only did he prove he looks good in blue makeup, but he showed how good he is at playing characters who are power hungry. That’s an asset that is extremely valuable when bringing life to Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Although he is an American actor, he is good at performing with accents, and I think his British dialect is impeccable. Besides being an experienced and ranged actor, Pace is a large man with an imposing figure, and I feel that he has the perfect mix of characteristics to play Thrawn.
2. Michael Fassbender
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 08: Actor Michael Fassbender attends ‘Alien: Covenant’ photocall at the Villa Magna hotel on May 8, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Chances are Disney will be looking for an A-list actor to cast as Thrawn, and it doesn’t get more A-list than Michael Fassbender. He’s known for playing ruthless villains, yet he also brings a form of composure to every antagonist he portrays. I feel he would be able to nail the quaint British accent Thrawn possesses, and he has the perfect look for the character.
3. Chiwetel Ejiofor
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 07: Actor and Activist Award Honoree Chiwetel Ejiofor accepts award onstage during the Chivas Regal Cocktail Hour at Pencils of Promise Gala 2017 on December 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Chiwetel Ejiofor is an actor that both critics and fans have loved for years, and it surprises me he hasn’t landed a role in the Star Wars universe already. However, this could be the perfect opportunity for him. If I had to pick the one actor who is all-around perfect for Thrawn, it would be Ejiofor. He is one of the most critically acclaimed actors of our generation, and besides his brilliance as an actor, he has the most accurate voice for the character out of anyone on this list.
I feel he could look just like Grand Admiral Thrawn if given the right makeup artist, and I know for a fact he would be a worthy adversary for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
4. Pierce Brosnan
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Pierce Brosnan attends the “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” world premiere at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on July 16, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Universal Pictures )
Pierce Brosnan may not be the biggest star in the world anymore, but I still think he has potential in the role of Thrawn. Casting an older, more seasoned actor could add a visual aid to just how wise Thrawn is, and it could add to how deceptively agile the character is in his fight scenes. Brosnan looks oddly similar to Thrawn, and while his career may not be exactly thriving anymore, I believe he still brings enough experience to the role in order to gain a place in the Star Wars universe.
5. Jason Isaacs
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Jason Isaacs attends the ‘Newport Beach Film Festival’ annual UK honours at The Rosewood Hotel on February 15, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
With as much as fans love to hate Thrawn, the actor playing him needs to have that quality as well. Jason Isaacs has made an entire career out of playing characters that everyone hates, yet can’t help but to root for just a little bit. Aside from that, just look at his likeness to the character. If Disney wants to cast an actor for his performance as opposed to his star power, Isaacs may be the perfect fit, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually managed to snag the role.
6. Jon Hamm
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 12: Jon Hamm takes part in SiriusXM’s Town Hall with the cast of ‘Tag’ hosted by SiriusXM’s Michelle Collins on June 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
I’m a little wary to suggest an American actor to play Thrawn, but just hear me out. While Jon Hamm may not be able to provide the British accent Thrawn is known for, he still looks identical to the character. Just look at his facial structure compared to that of Thrawn’s, and tell me you don’t see the resemblance. Hamm is an imposing and intimidating actor that I personally believe doesn’t get enough credit, and having him enter this role could provide a different take on Thrawn that fans didn’t know they needed.
7. Daniel Craig
BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 28: Actor Daniel Craig attends the German premiere of the new James Bond movie ‘Spectre’ at CineStar on October 28, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
An avid Star Wars fan may remember Daniel Craig’s cameo as a stormtrooper in The Force Awakens, but don’t think for one minute that exempts him from further use in the universe. If anything, it proves Craig is a fan of the movies, and gives him a foot in the door for a more prolific role. Adding Daniel Craig’s Thrawn to an Obi-Wan solo movie would not only provide a good fit for the character, but a menacing villain for the film to stand out as well, and I would love to see how he fairs as a bad guy for a change.
8. Tom Ellis
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 20: Tom Ellis attends Entertainment Weekly “Brave Warriors” panel during San Diego Comic-Con 2018 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly)
Tom Ellis is a less experienced actor to suggest for the role, but if you’re a fan of Lucifer, then you know that he can exemplify a few of the same qualities you would expect from Thrawn. While I wouldn’t compare the Grand Admiral to the devil, Ellis’s portrayal of Satan is that of a reserved and powerful being, and both of those qualities are exactly what you would expect from this character.
With Disney casting actors such as Matt Smith and Dominic Monaghan in their movies, I wouldn’t be surprised if they snatched up someone like Ellis as well, and I would like to think that he would be a better fit for Thrawn than one might expect.
9. Aidan Gillen
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 26: Actor Aidan Gillen of ‘Project Blue Book’ speaks onstage during The 2018 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour on July 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for A+E Networks )
With Aidan Gillen coming off of his Game of Thrones tenure, it would only make sense for him to take another role in one of the most popular universes of all time. While he is unmistakably Irish, I still believe his natural accent would translate well into the role of Thrawn, and we all know how proficient Gillen is at playing charismatic villains. He could be made up to look just like the character, and I think he could bring a lot more experience to the role than most other actors in Hollywood.
10. Benedict Cumberbatch
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 26: Benedict Cumberbatch speaks onstage during the for your consideration event for Showtime’s “Patrick Melrose”at NeueHouse Hollywood on April 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
In a perfect world, this is the casting decision we all want. There just simply isn’t a more popular actor you could cast in the role of Thrawn, and Cumberbatch is bound to do everything perfectly. From the reserved British demeanor of the character, to the imposing on-screen presence he is certain to bring, Cumberbatch ticks all of the boxes. While I’m sure his schedule is hectic, appearing in a Star Wars film is the opportunity of a lifetime, and it is entirely possible Cumberbatch was born for this role.
What do you think? Who should play Grand Admiral Thrawn? Let me know in the comments!