A Legend Comes to ‘Star Wars Rebels’

When the Lucasfilm Story Group announced that the previous Expanded Universe of Star Wars novels would be relegated to “Legends” and no part of the official canon, fans cried out for the loss of their favorite characters. This weekend at Star Wars Celebration, one such character made the leap from Legend to reality: Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Thrawn was originally the formidable and unforgettable villain in Timothy Zahn’s trilogy starting with Heir to the Empire. The books are considered by many to be the best of the novels released in the Expanded Universe, and probably one of the biggest losses when the EU was declared no more.

But now fans are celebrating the announcement of not just Thrawn’s appearance in the upcoming third season of Star Wars Rebels, but also a new standalone novel penned by Zahn himself, Star Wars: Thrawn.

Other new revelations in the new season’s trailer is that a lot of time has passed since we last saw the crew of the Ghost. Ezra is older and has grown in his Force powers; Sabine is sporting not just a new look, but taking on a larger leadership role with the group.

Related Post

Bendu is a new character for the season, old, wise, and powerful, and voiced by Doctor Who‘s Tom Baker. Catch a glimpse of him and our heroes below in the new trailer:

Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels debuts this fall on Disney XD.

All photos: Lucasfilm / Disney XD

Liked it? Take a second to support GeekMom and GeekDad on Patreon!

This post was last modified on December 8, 2017 8:46 pm

Kelly Knox

Kelly Knox is a freelance writer in Seattle, WA. She also writes for StarWars.com, Marvel.com, Geek & Sundry, and Nerdist.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Skye Sweetnam, Sumo Cyco, and the Power of Community

Like many others, I jumped directly into my Apple Music Replay this year filled with…

December 17, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Stocking Stuffers

It's time to stuff the stockings that were hung with care with our must-have stocking…

December 15, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Clothing and Everyday Essentials

It's time to get styling and stocking up on everyday necessities that we think you…

December 10, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Gadgets

Every geek loves a new gadget. Here’s a selection from the GeekDad and GeekMom writers,…

December 9, 2025

Get Started Resin Printing With the HALOT-X1

If you enjoy 3D printing with filament and are interested in something new, resin printing…

December 1, 2025

Catch The xTool M1 Ultra Multi-Tasking Laser on Black Friday Sale

After spending some time with xTool's M1 Ultra, the other tools in my maker arsenal…

November 26, 2025