Bringing an animated character to live-action can be a disaster. Fans are used to the art style, unique movement, and voice performers that created their favorite figures. Some icons only work in the context of their animated world. Though many unfairly consider live-action media more legitimate than its often superior source material, the urge to see drawn concepts played out in more believable circumstances is widespread.AhsokacontinuedStar Wars: Rebels' story with live-action actors, including Eman Esfandi as Jedi freedom fighter Ezra Bridger.
The animated corner ofStar Warsis one of its most consistently successful. Disney struggles to keep most of its live-action shows compelling and shudders at the thought of continuing their big-screen effortsafterRise of Skywalker. The famously risk-averse company is reluctant to shell out another nine-figure budget. Subsequently, Dave Filoni and his cohorts enjoy some creative freedom in the untamed wilderness of animated streaming television.
Who is Ezra Bridger onAhsoka?
Ezra Bridger is thecentral character ofStar Wars: Rebels. Ezra is a street kid and con artist trained in the Jedi arts by Kanan Jarrus. Ezra becomes the acting leader of the Rebel freighterGhost,working to undermine the Empire with his dedicated crew. Ezra disappeared beforeAhsoka’s events. He sacrificed himself to defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn, trapping him in an alternate galaxy for years. With the help of space whales capable of traveling faster than light, Ezra and Thrawn vanished into the ether. Hisfriend Sabine Wrenjoined Ahsoka Tano on a quest to find Ezra, endingStar Wars: Rebelswith the promise of a new adventure.
Most ofAhsokafollows Sabine and Ahsoka as they track Ezra and Thrawn, both of whom are back. In the show’s fourth episode, the villains agree to giveSabine a mapto Ezra’s location. They make good on their promise, and she finds Ezra on Peridea, where he lives in a hut and befriends the locals. Ezra enjoys a featured role in the last three episodes ofAhsoka. He participates in the final battle, builds a new lightsaber, and disappears again as the story ends. Ezra boards Thrawn’s ship, theChimaera, and escapes it in transit. He’s last seen reuniting with his friends Hera and Chopper, excitedly proclaiming himself home at last.
Eman Esfandi’s other Movies and TV Shows
Eman Esfandi is a relatively new talent. Compared to his costars like Rosario Dawson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, or the late great Ray Stevenson, his projects tend to be lower profile. Eman starred in eight short films before his feature debut. His first film role came in Robert Rodriguez’s bizarre sci-fi horror film,Red 11. Also known asHostage 911, the film dramatizesRodriguez’s experience as a paid lab ratin a legal drug research clinic, earning the $7,000 he used to make his debut feature. Rodriguez shotRed 11in two weeks for $7,000 as a meta self-tribute. Esfandi also appeared inRebel Without a Crew: The Series, the making-of documentary in which Rodriguez shares some indie filmmaking techniques.
Esfandi’s next film role was in Scarlet Moreno’sPhaedra, a dreamlike thriller set in the disco era. He starred in Dillon Cameron’sAustin Weirdin 2019. Esfandi’s first mainstream theatrical release came in 2021’sKing Richard, in which he played a small role. He also had a bit part in Elegance Bratton’sThe Inspection, a well-received drama about a young gay Marine struggling to fit in. Esfandi directed two shorts,120andPepito, both of which are moving and fascinating entries in his filmography.Ahsokais undoubtedly his biggest project to date, but he’s appeared in a world of fascinating shorts and features. He likely has a long and varied career ahead of him.
Will Ezra Bridger return inAhsokaseason 2?
Lucasfilm and Dave Filoni announced a second season ofAhsokain early January. Lucasfilm, as reported byJaden Thompson in Variety, stated:
The Mandalorian & Grogu’ will lead Lucasfilm’s ongoing feature-development slate, including films helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni, who is also currently developing ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2, among those in the works.
Though none of the cast or crew is confirmedfor the second season, it’s a near guarantee to see Ezra Bridger in any futureAhsokaoutings. Fans will have to wait to see the creative direction of the ongoing series, but Ezra Bridger will almost certainly be a part of it.
Eman Esfandi appeared in several interesting shorts, movies, and TV shows before starring as Ezra Bridger inAhsoka. He’s an eclectic talent with a long trail of engaging projects behind him.ThoughAhsokaisEsfandi’s first big studio project, it may not be his last. He could easily slip into other big-budget franchises, but he could just as easily return to the world of personal stakes and reasonable price tags. Eman brought Ezra to life with an excellent performance, and he’s expected to do so again in the upcoming second season.
