Ashley Eckstein Encourages Viewers to Watch ‘Star Wars’ Animation So They Do Not Miss Out on Crucial Backstory in ‘Ahsoka’
Only a few days away from San Diego Comic Con, Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Tales of the Jedi, sat down with CinemaBlend to discuss her upcoming events at the convention, as well as comment on whether watching the stories told in animation prior to the release of Ahsoka on Disney Plus is critical to the enjoyment of the series.
Her Universe, the self-described fangirl fashion company and lifestyle brand is hosting a fashion show at San Diego Comic Con on July 20, which will be MC’d by Eckstein, founder of the company. Eckstein has been a consistent presence and all around feel-good Disney ambassador at all manner of Lucasfilm events, including Star Wars Celebration, visits to the parks, and more since taking the voice acting role of Ahsoka Tano.
Of course, while Eckstein did not secure the role of Ahsoka Tano in live-action, her relationship to Star Wars remains stronger than ever as she continues to champion the upcoming series and animated content. In fact, Eckstein even visited the Ahsoka set back in October and spoke glowingly about her meeting with Rosario Dawson.
Asked the question that continually resurfaces in interviews with anyone connected to Ahsoka regarding whether fans need to watch the animated material before the series premiere, Eckstein responded:
Oh, absolutely! I actually recommend to everyone who is excited about the upcoming Ahsoka series, I highly recommend that you take the time to watch The Clone Wars, and watch Rebels, and even Tales of the Jedi. Because if you don’t, you’re going to miss out on crucial, crucial backstory that you really need to know to fully enjoy the Ahsoka series, which is so exciting.
We’re gonna get so many new and incredible stories, but without that backstory, and full understanding of who Ahsoka is and even who the other characters are, you’re not going to have as rich or in-depth of an understanding and appreciation of what’s going to happen in the series without the backstory, so I’m very grateful that The Clone Wars and Rebels and Tales the Jedi are on Disney Plus. Any chance I get, I tell fans, ‘Go and watch it and binge it before you watch the Ahsoka series. It’s really gonna matter.’
It’s not surprising that Eckstein is recommending fans watch the animated shows, but she departs, slightly, from the company line in her level of earnestness. Filoni and cast have been careful not to emphasize that the animation is a requirement to the enjoyment of Ahsoka, wanting, understandably so, to keep the barrier to entry for casual fans low. However, Eckstein is clear here that the backstory fans get in the animated shows is “crucial” and those who don’t watch those shows prior to the premiere, may actually be missing out.
I do still believe that those viewers who pick up Ahsoka without watching The Clone Wars and Rebels will still enjoy the show, or at least, not be confused. That said, Eckstein has voiced the thought we’ve all been thinking, which is that consuming the animation prior to watching Ahsoka is perhaps more important than those interviewed as part of the press run may have you believe. Either way, we’re only a few weeks out from making that judgment ourselves.
Check out the full story from CinemaBlend here.
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
