Ashley Eckstein: The Voice of Ahsoka Tano - Behind the Scenes Insights and Star Wars Journey
Ashley, the voice behind the iconic character Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes insights as she prepared to reunite with her castmates at a convention. Ahsoka's journey began in the 2008 film and expanded into the animated series, making her a beloved character in the Star Wars universe. Ashley revealed that she initially thought Ahsoka had to die, but the character's evolution surprised her, leading to significant storylines and appearances in other Star Wars media.
Ashley discussed her audition process for the role of Ahsoka, revealing that the creators initially wanted the character to have an Icelandic accent. Despite her initial struggles with the accent, Ashley's genuine approach and kindness ultimately landed her the role. She emphasized that Ahsoka's kindness is her greatest strength, reflecting her own upbringing and values instilled by her parents.
The dynamic between Ahsoka and Anakin Skywalker, voiced by Matt Lanter, mirrored the friendship between Ashley and Matt in real life. The two actors developed a close bond while recording as a cast, standing next to each other during sessions. Their friendship extended beyond the recording studio, highlighting the genuine connection between them.
Recording fight scenes for the show often involved using imagination and physical movements with a pretend lightsaber, making the process look silly without the animation. Ashley shared that the secrecy surrounding Star Wars scripts meant they often received them last minute, requiring quick adaptation and skill. She acknowledged the collaborative effort of the entire team in bringing Ahsoka to life, emphasizing the collective effort involved in creating the character.
Ashley reflected on the emotional impact of recording Ahsoka's final scene in Star Wars: Rebels, where she said goodbye to Anakin/Vader, voiced by Matt Lanter. The closure provided by that scene was significant for Ashley, as it allowed her to bid farewell to the character and her castmates after the cancellation of Clone Wars. Additionally, Ashley discussed her fashion brand, Her Universe, which focuses on fandom-inspired clothing and hosts a geek couture fashion show at San Diego Comic-Con, showcasing designs inspired by popular franchises like DC.