Ahsoka Voice Actress Ashley Eckstein Says Initial Negative Fan Reactions To Ahsoka Made Her Cry
Ahsoka may be a fan-favorite Star Wars character now, but when the character was first introduced, the fans didn’t like her and there were a lot of negative reactions from fans.
Ahsoka was first introduced in Star Wars: Clone Wars and she was voiced by Ashley Eckstein. The actress recently spoke at a panel during the 2023 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo while there she reflected on how difficult things were for her when she started hearing the horrible things fans were saying. She explained:
"It's been quite the journey. It really has. From the very beginning where [Ahsoka] was hated. And one thing to note, we were always a season ahead of what you all saw. We were well into Season 2 by the time you all saw the [Clone Wars movie], so I knew how far she had come. When it came out, so many people hated Ahsoka. First, I sobbed into my cheesecake. But then I took a day to have a pity party. Then, I was like, 'No -- this character is amazing. And everyone else is going to see what I see if they just give her time.'"
"And so, I asked fans for their patience. I said 'Look, no character is perfect in the beginning, and if they were, then they'd be really boring. So please go on this journey with her.'"
I’m sure most of those fans who complained about Ahsoka now love her and are excited about the upcoming live-action series! I love the character and she’s had such a fascinating story arc. I’m excited that her story is going to continue!
Eckstein previously shared her excitement about the live-action series and also encouraged fans to watch the animated shows first: "I actually recommend to everyone who is excited about the upcoming Ahsoka series, I highly recommend that you take the time to watch Clone Wars, and watch Star Wars Rebels, and even Star Wars: 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.”
She went on to talk about the importance of knowing Ahsoka’s backstory: "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 Clone Wars and Rebels and Tales the Jedi are on Disney+. 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.'"
Eckstein went on to say: "And then Clone Wars and Rebels and even Tales the Jedi in general... You know, at some point, most Star Wars fans go back and watch the movies. They watch Episodes IV, V, and VI, and I, II, and III. Well now, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, they're a part of that timeline. It's part of the story. It's part of the overall trajectory and journey of these characters, so without watching those series, you're kind of missing out. They're all connected. I highly recommend that fans watch them."
Were you a hater of Ahsoka when she was first introduced in the Star Wars universe?
Via: CBR