The upcoming Star Wars Disney+ series Ahsoka is basically confirmed at this point to be a narrative sequel to Star Wars Rebels.
Cinelinx and The Hollywood Reporter have confirmed that Eman Esfandi will play a live-action version of Rebels‘ Ezra Bridger in the upcoming series. The actor is best known (at least for the moment) for starring in the Robert Rodriguez horror film Red 11 and the award-winning biopic King Richard.
Meanwhile, for those unaware of who Ezra Bridger even is, the character debuted in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, where he was voiced by actor Taylor Gray. Initially, he was a Force-sensitive orphan, but he later trained in the ways of the Jedi and became a total badass. Apparently, *SPOILER WARNING*, he went missing at the end of Rebels with Grand Admiral Thrawn in tow. Ahsoka is rumored, but not 100% guaranteed at this point to pick up on those dangling narrative threads.
So with Esfandi cast, I guess all those rumors of Aladdin actor Mena Massoud having been cast in the role years ago were untrue. Oh well. For what its worth, Massoud took the casting like a champ, posting on Twitter that he cannot “deny the dude looks exactly like Ezra. Hope it’s done justice!”
Glad the rumors will stop now. Never really had a fair shot at it unfortunately (1 self-tape months ago) but just wasn’t meant for me I guess. Can’t deny the dude looks exactly like Ezra. Hope it’s done justice!
— Mena Massoud (@MenaMassoud) September 9, 2022
Rosario Dawson returns as Ahsoka Tano in Ahsoka, which also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ivanna Sakhno in undisclosed roles, Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Rebels character Sabine Wren, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and Ray Stevenson as a mystery villain.
Ahsoka is expected to release in 2023 on Disney+.
What do you think of Esfandi as Ezra Bridger? Do you think he’ll do the character justice?
