What J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX Ahsoka tease could mean

J.J. Abrams just teased a potential Ahsoka Tano cameo in Star Wars: Episode IX. Here are a few theories about how that might happen.

Ahsoka Tano became a fan-favorite character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Fans were thrilled when she resurfaced in Rebels, got her own novel titled Ahsoka, and she will be a major part of The Clone Wars season 7 when it airs on Disney+.

Fans have been hoping to see the character make her live-action debut for quite some time, perhaps even with Ahsoka voice actress Ashley Eckstein playing her. Star Wars: Episode IX seemed like a highly unlikely place for that to happen, but a recent J.J. Abrams interview may hint otherwise.

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According to StarWarsNews.net, Abrams seemingly teased an Ahsoka cameo during an interview with Japanese movie outlet Sora News 24:

"Abrams: By the way, who’s your favorite character?P.K.: Me? Ahsoka Tano. Sorry for picking someone who only appears in the animated stuff [Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels], but I really like her positive, determined personality.Abrams: Hmmm, Ahsoka, huh? Well then you’ll probably want to watch closely during The Rise of Skywalker.P.K.: Wh-whoa-wait-whaaaaaaaaaat?Abrams: Hahaha, well, enjoy the movie!"

If Ahsoka is indeed going to make a cameo in The Rise of Skywalker, we have a few ideas about how it could happen.

1. C-3PO’s memories

It’s a popular theory at this point that C-3PO will access previously erased memories in this film. While fans have mostly assumed that the droid will access memories of scenes from the prequel trilogy films, it’s possible that the movie could incorporate a scene from The Clone Wars, with the previously animated scene now adapted to live-action. The memory in question is more likely to focus on characters like Anakin, Palpatine, or Yoda than Ahsoka, but it’s possible she could make a cameo of something C-3PO will now remember from that time period.

2. Aboard the Ghost

A shot from one of the film’s trailers depicts a ship that looks a lot like the Ghost from Star Wars Rebels. The last time fans saw Ahsoka, she reunited with Sabine Wren to search for Ezra. While that story definitely won’t be told in The Rise of Skywalker, it’s plausible to think there will be a brief glimpse of Ahsoka aboard the Ghost. Ahsoka was a key figure in the Clone Wars and she was essential to the Rebellion in its earlier years. It seems fitting that she would join the surviving members of the Ghost crew as part of the Resistance in their final battle against the First Order.

3. Jedi lore

As Rey and the Resistance face the likes of Palpatine and Kylo Ren, they may need to uncover Jedi lore. The secrets of the Jedi may be what’s needed to emerge triumphant against such dark forces. While she did leave the Jedi Order, Ahsoka is definitely part of their legacy. As their lore and legacy is explored, an Ahsoka cameo or at least her connection to the Jedi could easily be referenced, especially considering how important she was to Kylo Ren’s grandfather.

Do you think we’ll see an Ahsoka Tano cameo in The Rise of Skywalker? Let us know in the comments!