'Star Wars' Fans Want Jon Favreau And Dave Filoni To Cast Robert Downey Jr. As Grand Admiral Thrawn
Robert Downey Jr. is most notably known for his role of Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the end of the original saga in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr.’s time as Iron Man/Tony Stark ended. Now, however, there are talks of him being a part of another large story, one that takes place in a galaxy far, far away.
A recent rumor on Twitter said that Lucasfilm/Disney is in talks with Robert Downey Jr. for a role in the Star Wars universe. When this rumor surfaced, fans exploded with theories as to whom he could portray in the stories. One of the most popular votes was for Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain from the Expanded Universe (now Legends) novels who made his way onto the canonical animated series Star Wars Rebels.
Lucasfilm has already confirmed at least three spinoff series coming out of The Mandalorian: Ahsoka, Rangers of the New Republic, and The Book of Boba Fett. Fans are now asking Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to give Robert Downey Jr. the role of Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka, which is most likely going to expound upon Ahsoka Tano’s (played by Rosario Dawson) storyline from The Mandalorian. In "Chapter 13: The Jedi," she discovers that Grand Admiral Thrawn (who we last saw at the end of Star Wars Rebels with his fate left ambiguous) is still alive and giving orders to Corvus Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto). Since that reveal, many fans have speculated that Ahsoka Tano’s series will most likely deal with her trying to find Thrawn and/or her friends from Star Wars Rebels. If this is the case, then there is a good chance that Thrawn will be central in Ahsoka, which is why fans have been asking Favreau and Filoni to cast Robert Downey Jr.
The Star Wars Quarter’s (@StarQuarter) on Twitter shared a fan edit of Robert Downey Jr. as Grand Admiral Thrawn with the caption:
“So I heard a rumour that Robert Downey Jr will be joining the #StarWars universe.. if this is true.. there is a god and apparently he may be playing this guy..please let this be true!! #StarWarsfan#TheMandolorian”
With this tweet, many other started to chime in with their own takes/rumors.
Sonny P. (@SP_indaclouds) shared two rumors. One that Robert Downey Jr. could be joining the Star Wars cast, and another that Keanu Reeves could be joining the Star Wars cast.
There is also a fan call for Keanu Reeves to play the fan-favorite Sith Lord Darth Revan.
FUSED (@fusedofficial) added to the mix that while Robert Downey Jr. would be good as Grand Admiral Thrawn, he would prefer him in another role and Thrawn to be played by none other than Richard E. Grant.
“If the rumours are true about #RobertDowneyJr joining #StarWars as #Thrawn, I’d be happy with that. That’s said, I’d see him more as a Talon Karrde character. Ideally someone like Richard E Grant would make a better Thrawn. Tall, imposing, crystal clear accent and singular vision.”
Michael Sabat (@FreeMikeLive) then added a Tweet for his choice for Thrawn.
“Lots of rumors going around that Robert Downey Jr. is in talks to play the big baddie in the Star Wars universe led by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. I would love to see RDJ but this here, Michael Fassbender is my choice for Grand Admiral Thrawn.”
Jatin Kashiv (@KashivJatin) added his excitement about Robert Downey Jr. potentially joining the Star Wars universe with this Tweet:
“So, it’s rumored that #RobertDowneyJunior would be playing Grand Admiral #Thrawn in the #Jonfavreau and #Davefloni #Starwars series!!! Man that’s insane I’m A #starwar fan! And having RDJ is just insane. Hey #GeeksandGamers please Help if you know more!@RobertDowneyJr @starwars”
Another rumor that was floating around back in December was a fan call for Grand Admiral Thrawn to be played by Benedict Cumberbatch. While there has been no official confirmation by either Lucasfilm/Disney or Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni as to whether or not we will see Robert Downey Jr. in the Star Wars Universe, there are obviously many excited fans who would love to see him join another popular universe. There are also rumors floating around that Star Wars: Rebels voice actor for Thrawn, Lars Mikkelsen, could be playing the live-action version. This would be similar to how Katee Sackhoff was cast as Bo-Katan Kryze. However, along with the rumors about Robert Downey Jr., this also remains unconfirmed.
If there is anything that the Star Wars fans and creators have learned from these rumors and spirited debates, it is that there are many different talented actors who could play the roles of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Darth Revan, and many others in a live-action capacity. And hopefully, whoever they do pick to play Thrawn in a live-action series will be every bit of the cool, calculating, and sometimes bone-chilling in demeanor as the villain was in the animated show and books.
Source(s): Inside The Magic