Ahsoka Season 2 Needs Princess Leia—And Star Wars Can’t Keep Avoiding a Recast

Despite Carrie Fisher’s iconic portrayal of Princess Leia being instrumental to the initial success of Star Wars, it’s now appropriate to consider recasting the role, given the upcoming season 2 of Ahsoka. Carrie Fisher’s enduring legacy as Leia Organa is undeniable, and in 1977, when the first Star Wars movie was released, she was a trailblazer. Unlike many princess characters of that era, Leia was far from a damsel in distress, marking a significant change in popular culture. Fisher’s exceptional writing skills and deep understanding of her character made her performance truly remarkable.

Following Carrie Fisher’s unexpected death in December 2016, there was a heartfelt debate about how the franchise would proceed without her iconic character, Leia. Although Leia had completed her scenes for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm decided not to replace her for the final installment, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, by using previously recorded footage. However, as the Star Wars narrative continues to grow, especially in the New Republic era, Leia’s absence is becoming more noticeable and the franchise should no longer shy away from acknowledging her.

Ahsoka Season 2 Is Set In Leia’s Golden Age

In the second season of Ahsoka, we’ll find ourselves deeply immersed within the peak of the New Republic period. Unlike the first season where references to the New Republic’s administration were sporadic, this time around, it will be a more prominent and challenging aspect to navigate due to the looming presence of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s resurgence. General Hera Syndulla, along with the reappeared Ezra Bridger, will need substantial assistance in their ongoing battle against the Imperial Remnant. More than anyone, Leia Organa will grasp the gravity of the situation if the New Republic fails to act promptly.

It’s been confirmed that some of Leia Organa’s closest associates are set to appear in the second season of Ahsoka. Admiral Ackbar from the original trilogy was announced for the show at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and it seems he will lead the New Republic’s campaign against Thrawn. Mon Mothma, played by Genevieve O’Reilly, made a brief appearance in season 1 and is expected to reappear in season 2 as well. So, we can assume that Leia Organa herself may also be part of these events.

She plays a significant role as a prominent senator in the New Republic; she’s instrumental during the shift from the Imperial Remnant to the First Order. Leia also had a covert role in the first season of Ahsoka, assisting Hera Syndulla and Captain Carson Teva on their operation to thwart Thrawn’s comeback when her colleagues initially rejected Syndulla’s plea. Later, she shielded Syndulla from the consequences of defying orders by delegating C-3PO to advocate for her interests instead.

In this segment of the Star Wars timeline, Leia is omnipresent. It would be fitting for her character to appear in Ahsoka season 2 and the broader New Republic narrative, although it might require recasting Leia Organa following Carrie Fisher’s untimely death. Will Lucasfilm have the courage to make this move?

Why Has Star Wars Been So Afraid To Recast Princess Leia?

It’s not surprising that Star Wars initially hesitated to recast Princess Leia’s role, given the deep connection Carrie Fisher had with the franchise and its lasting impact. After all, her passing was unexpected, and she was such a significant figure in the success and legacy of Star Wars. While it was acceptable to use other actresses for minor appearances, like in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or The Rise of Skywalker where Billie Lourd briefly portrayed a younger Leia, recasting the character entirely for a crucial role is a different story altogether.

Indeed, it’s important to acknowledge that Vivien Lyra Blair, in her role as a younger Princess Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi, effectively reprised the character initially played by Carrie Fisher. Blair has expressed interest in exploring more stories featuring Princess Leia, even suggesting a teenage Leia, which would be close to Fisher’s original portrayal of the character. Much like Blair, I too look forward to seeing more of Leia, particularly set within the New Republic era.

To some degree, I think fear might be preventing Lucasfilm from recasting Leia’s character, not just because of Fisher’s influential legacy and the deep affection she inspired among many Star Wars fans worldwide. Following the relatively poor box office performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story, where Alden Ehrenreich portrayed a younger Han Solo, there was substantial criticism, much of it focused on Ehrenreich’s portrayal. In my view, this criticism was unwarranted, as I believed that the core essence of the character was effectively conveyed. However, it seems that others had a different opinion.

After that point, Lucasfilm has taken various steps to prevent replacing iconic legacy characters, such as omitting Leia from the New Republic narrative and utilizing advanced CGI technology to depict a somewhat lifelike Luke Skywalker in the era of The Mandalorian. However, I’m not entirely convinced that this approach is superior to letting a new actor take on the role, someone who can honor the past while also offering something novel and exciting for viewers.

Andor Season 2 Just Proved Star Wars Has Gotten Over Its Fear Of Recasts

It’s worth noting that the second season of “Andor” might have brought a significant shift. In the second set of episodes in season 2, viewers were probably taken aback when they saw Benjamin Bratt playing Senator Bail Organa. This character is Leia’s father and a key figure in the Rebel Alliance, as portrayed by Jimmy Smits since “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Smits was unable to reprise his role. Bratt stepping into the role came as quite a surprise, but it was also a pleasant one in many ways.

As a fan, I appreciate Jimmy Smits’ remarkable portrayal of Bail Organa, and I would love to see him reprise the role in the future. However, the daring choice made by Andor to cast another actor instead of modifying the narrative to fit Smits’ time constraints is, quite frankly, a breath of fresh air. It’s an approach that Star Wars could benefit from adopting more frequently.

As a cinephile reflecting on the artistry and legacy of those who’ve graced our screens before me, I firmly believe that reprising a cherished role can be a tribute to the work and spirit embodied by its original actor. In the case of Leia Organa, ignoring her presence in the New Republic era would be an unfortunate oversight, disregarding the rich, complex character Kathleen Kennedy and Carrie Fisher painstakingly crafted. Fortunately, the second season of Ahsoka offers a prime opportunity to reveal new facets of this enduring icon, ensuring her legacy continues to thrive in the Star Wars universe.

New episodes of Andor season 2 premiere Tuesdays exclusively on Disney+.

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2025-05-02 01:30