In an unforeseen move, the character Ahsoka is reviving a beloved feature from the Star Wars films and incorporating it into the realm of small screen storytelling. This addition is a notable departure from the content of the franchise that has thus far graced Disney+ shows: an opening crawl.
The opening crawl has etched itself into the collective memory of George Lucas’ Star Wars saga, serving as a distinctive narrative device. Originating in the inaugural 1977 production, this textual preamble has graced all subsequent live-action films except the spin-offs “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
The cinematic chronicle of the Skywalker saga spans nine installments. These encompass the original trilogy (“A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi”), the prequel trilogy (“The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones,” and “Revenge of the Sith”), and the sequel trilogy (“The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi,” and “The Rise of Skywalker”).
The adoption of the opening crawl in Lucas’ universe was a nod to his childhood admiration for “Flash Gordon” serials on television. These serials not only resonated with him as a young viewer but also helped lay the foundation for his envisioning of the Star Wars narrative.
Remarkably, this hallmark has remained absent from the Disney+ iterations of Star Wars—until now. “Ahsoka” reintroduces the opening crawl, albeit with subtle yet distinctive modifications that distinguish it from the familiar text seen in the Skywalker saga.
Traditionally, the Star Wars films presented the opening crawl in yellow typeface, with the text receding into the distance. Following the display of the full text, it would recede entirely before the camera shifted downward, marking the commencement of the narrative. (In “Attack of the Clones,” the camera adopted an upward pan.)
“Ahsoka,” however, takes a different visual approach. The opening crawl appears in red text, contrary to the traditional yellow. Moreover, the text ascends vertically from the bottom to the top of the screen without fading into the distance. This artistic choice pays homage to Lucas’ original vision while simultaneously permitting “Ahsoka” to assert its unique identity.
The series revolves around its eponymous protagonist, Ahsoka, as she embarks on an investigation to uncover the whereabouts of a map that holds the key to locating Grand Admiral Thrawn (portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen). Thrawn, a significant figure within the Galactic Empire’s ranks, was previously presumed deceased, along with rebel Ezra Bridger (played by Eman Esfandi), following the events chronicled in “Star Wars: Rebels.”
The conspicuous red eyes of Thrawn’s character potentially echo the thoughtfulness that has gone into the aesthetic of “Ahsoka’s” opening crawl. Though speculative, this detail showcases the attention to design that underscores the series’ overall production.
In due course, viewers may hope to gain insight into the rationale guiding the show’s creator, Dave Filoni, in opting for this particular rendition of the opening crawl to commence the series.
