How Every Character From ‘Rebels’ Could Make Their Live-Action Debut
The Star Wars Rebels animated series saw the introduction of a huge range of new characters such as Ezra Bridger and Hera Syndulla, as well as the return of fan favorites from Star Wars: The Clone Wars like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan Kryze. While the latter two made their stunning live-action appearances in Season Two of The Mandalorian (portrayed by Rosario Dawson and Katee Sackhoff respectively), the Specters (and also Grand Admiral Thrawn of course) have yet to make their debut.
With many live-action series announced and in production, it is very likely that we would be seeing the return of Rebels characters in live-action form. Considering what is known and the possible storylines of the various shows, here are how the characters could make their live-action debut.
Ezra Bridger
From the series finale of Rebels, we know that the street-kid-turned-Jedi and hero of Lothal Ezra Bridger disappeared into hyperspace with Grand Admiral Thrawn on board the Chimaera star destroyer, and their location is currently unknown. However, with the series' ending hinting at Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren joining forces on a quest to find Ezra, as well as the Thrawn name drop in Ahsoka's episode in The Mandalorian, it is highly likely that he would be an integral focus of the upcoming live-action Ahsoka show. As one of the few known remaining Jedi in the galaxy during the time period, Ezra could also play a supporting or even bigger role in more Star Wars productions, such as in future developments of the Grogu storyline as Luke Skywalker sets out to find other remaining Jedi and rebuild the Jedi Order.
Hera Syndulla (with Chopper)
There is great potential for Hera's live-action appearance in the Star Wars franchise, as she and the Ghost have been featured in current productions ranging from the pre-Battle of Yavin era all the way to the sequel trilogy as seen from the Ghost's appearance in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and in the story mode campaign of the Star Wars: Squadrons video game. As a well known ace rebel pilot, it would not come as a surprise if Hera makes her live-action debut in the upcoming Andor series, which takes place five years before the Battle of Scarif and focuses on the formative years of the Rebel Alliance. Another possible appearance would be in Patty Jenkin's Rogue Squadron movie, though we are uncertain of the exact time period that the events of the film would take place. While the movie would likely focus on the new pilots of the Rogue call sign, Hera may appear as a mentor or supporting figure along with her trusty astromech C1-10P aka. Chopper.
Sabine Wren
The flamboyant but deadly Mandalorian is easily one of the audience's favorite characters with her unique personality and storyline. While fans initially speculated Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado's (aka. Sasha Banks) character as seen in The Mandalorian Season Two's trailer to be Sabine, we later come to know her as a new Mandalorian character by the name of Koska Reeves. With her Mandalorian heritage and the Darksaber being a key component of her storyline in Rebels, it is very likely that Sabine will debut in live-action in none other than Season Three of The Mandalorian, building on her passing of the Darksaber to Bo-Katan who is currently in dispute with Din Djarin over who should be the rightful owner of the blade and ruler of Mandalore. Another possibility would be appearing as a key protagonist in the Ahsoka show, as she would obviously be involved in the joined search for Ezra with Ahsoka as discussed above.
Garazeb Orrelios
While the brute of the Spectre crew is a valued asset of the Rebellion, he arguably plays a lesser role than the aforementioned characters. We also know from the Rebels finale that Zeb went on to Lira San to live with his fellow Lasats, which points towards him not being a member of the New Republic forces after the Battle of Endor. With that in mind, the best chance of a Zeb live-action appearance would be alongside the Ghost crew in projects relating to the Rebel Alliance, most likely being Andor or perhaps Rogue Squadron, likely playing a supporting but still a fan-favorite role.
Kanan Jarrus
Kanan is arguably one of the most intriguing and well-developed characters along the series. From hiding his identity at first to becoming a great Jedi through a range of trials such as facing the Inquisitors, taking on Ezra as his Padawan and learning to see through the Force after losing his vision, all of which make his heroic sacrifice to save the Ghost crew more heart-wrenching. Fans are most delighted to see a young version of him appearing in The Bad Batch series (though controversially involving retcons), and there now exists a canonical gap between his escape from Order 66 on Kaller to the beginning events on Lothal in Rebels. A Kanan live-action debut would therefore likely build on a Jedi-related storyline in which he has to go into hiding and "change" his identity, pointing toward the Obi-Wan Kenobi series being the most probable show for an appearance, especially with his knowing Obi-Wan as a surviving Jedi master from the holocron recording. (This could potentially be complicated by Kanan saying that Bail Organa confirmed Kenobi’s death at some point.) It would be exciting to see the young Padawan cross paths with the wise master during the turmoil at the beginning of the Imperial era.
Captain Rex
Rebels confirms that fans' favorite clone trooper has fought for the Rebellion until the Battle of Endor, opening up great potential for a live-action appearance in any of the upcoming pre-New Republic shows. With Temuera Morrison returning to the Star Wars universe as Boba Fett in The Mandalorian Season Two, it is very likely that he could take on the role of a clone veteran when the opportunity comes. We see Rex talking to some (likely) Rebel Alliance personnel over comms in the episode "Battle Scars" of the Bad Batch series not long ago, which points towards the possibility of early ties with the Rebellion's birth and a possible live-action appearance in Andor. Rex can also debut in Obi-Wan Kenobi due to his close ties with Obi-Wan. The aforementioned Jedi not knowing of his removal of the inhibitor chip would make for an interesting encounter.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Among the named Rebels characters who have yet to make a live-action debut, the calculating Chiss Imperial tactician is the most likely to appear in an upcoming series given the name drop in The Mandalorian. With Ahsoka clearly hunting for Thrawn (likely for the purpose of finding Ezra as well), it only makes sense that he appears in the Ahsoka series. It would be a greatly intriguing development if he were to appear in Season Three of The Mandalorian as a main antagonist representing the Imperial remnant.
Source: Screen Rant