"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" erased the canon of a good majority of "Star Wars" books, comic books and video games, which are now branded as "Star Wars Legends." However, according to a report from Making Star Wars, "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 may bring back at least one major villain from the "Legends" timeline.
According to the report, there is a high possibility that season 3 of the highly popular television show will feature Grand Admiral Thrawn as its primary villain. There are no confirmations regarding this rumor but it is important to note that Making Star Wars has been fairly accurate in terms of reporting rumors concerning "Star Wars" shows and films.
Thrawn was initially introduced in the book "Heir to the Empire," by Timothy Zahn. In this continuity, which takes place five years after "Return of the Jedi," Grand Admiral Thrawn takes over the remnants of the Empire following the demise of Darth Sidious and launches a war against the New Republic.
It is stated that season 3 of "Star Wars Rebels" will feature a time jump, making the events happen a little closer to the timeline of "Star Wars: A New Hope." During this time Thrawn will be introduced no longer as an heir to the Empire but will still retain his key characteristic as a genius tactician.
Not only is Thrawn possibly being introduced but the time jump will also mean some of the characters, such as Ezra Bridger, will see a few changes. Ezra will be older by this point, may have a new lightsaber and may have become a more powerful Jedi. The Rebellion against the Empire will have also grown in size.
It is possible that this fight against Thrawn will culminate in the events that will take place in this year's spin-off film, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," which is set to tell the tale of the Rebellion gaining the Death Star plans and delivering them to Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), events that take place right before the beginning of "A New Hope."
