How Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Absence Impacted The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker

Grand Admiral Thrawn, a legendary tactician in the Star Wars universe, has long been a fan-favorite figure. Despite his strategic brilliance, his absence from the films The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker raises questions about how his presence would have altered the narrative. In this article, we explore the implications of including Thrawn in the sequel trilogy and discuss why his absence might have been a strategic choice both in-universe and out-of-universe.

Out of Universe

From a production standpoint, the reason for Thrawn's absence from the Star Wars sequel trilogy is rooted in creative and strategic decisions. The creators of the films had specific artistic visions for the storylines of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. In these films, the focus was on the elements of chaos, the failure of the First Order, and the weaknesses of the Resistance. The inclusion of Thrawn, a symbol of stability and strategic brilliance, could have fundamentally altered the dynamics of the narrative.

In-Universe Analysis

From an in-universe perspective, the absence of Thrawn is intriguing. There are few details about what happened to him after the revelations of Rebels. This narrative ambiguity leaves various possibilities open. Thrawn could be dead, leaving behind a void within the Empire, or he might have moved on to other ventures. His potential return to Chiss space is a compelling theory, giving a narrative arc of the Chiss leader finding his place after the epic events of the original trilogy.

Thrawn's inclusion could have had significant consequences for the narrative of the First Order. His strategic acumen and ability to devise complex plans, such as those seen in his pursuit of the Rebellion, would have posed a much greater challenge to the Resistance. Instead, the First Order leadership in The Last Jedi, embodied by Snoke and Director Hux, is portrayed as lacking in strategic thinking, with Kylo Ren's actions being more impulsive. Thrawn's presence would likely have required the First Order to adopt a more systematic and tactical approach to their battles, possibly altering the ultimate outcome of the conflict.

The Influence on the Outcomes

Had Thrawn been included, his leadership and strategic brilliance could have significantly impacted the First Order's chances of winning the conflict against the Resistance. His ability to organize and command troops, along with his cunning and foresight, would have been invaluable in countering the Resistance's efforts. Instead, the absence of Thrawn in the sequel trilogy allowed for a more dramatic and confrontational narrative, emphasizing the sheer scale of chaos and the personal struggles of the characters.

Thrawn's Potential Impact on the Sequel Trilogy

Thrawn would have been an outlier in terms of the existing villains in the sequel trilogy. Characters like Snoke and Hux are portrayed as weak and lacking in strategic thinking. Given Thrawn's reputation as one of the most capable leaders in the Star Wars universe, his inclusion would have required the First Order to adopt a more structured and strategic approach. This might have entailed the development of contingency plans against the Resistance, rather than relying solely on secrecy and the inaccessibility of their military base, Exogol.

The strategic brilliance of Thrawn would have influenced the decision-making within the First Order, potentially altering the outcome of the conflict. His ability to foresee and counter the Resistance's strategies could have led to a more balanced and less chaotic narrative, reducing the drama and possibly leading to a more nuanced resolution of the conflict.

Conclusion

Overall, the absence of Grand Admiral Thrawn from the sequel trilogy The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker remains a significant point of discussion among fans. While in-universe and out-of-universe reasons for this absence vary, including Thrawn would have undoubtedly brought new dimensions to the storytelling. His strategic brilliance could have influenced the dynamics of the conflict and altered the narrative in profound ways.