In the expansive Star Wars universe, Ahsoka Tano stands out as one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. However, the former Jedi Padawan’s path to popularity was nearly derailed before it even began due to creator Dave Filoni’s unconventional initial vision for her voice.
At a recent FAN EXPO Philadelphia panel, Ahsoka’s voice actor Ashley Eckstein disclosed that Filoni originally wanted the character to speak with an Icelandic accent reminiscent of singer Björk. Eckstein explained that she had diligently prepared an Icelandic dialect for her audition at Filoni’s direction.
“Dave Filoni originally wanted Ahsoka to have an Icelandic accent. And he wanted her to sound like Björk,” Eckstein revealed. “So I can’t do it. I had to learn an Icelandic accent. When I went in to the callback, Dave Filoni stopped me after one line, and he was like, ‘Can you make it sound a bit more Icelandic?'”
However, feeling frustrated by the unusual request, Eckstein ultimately pushed back – a decision she believes landed her the role. “It turns out he wanted like just a generic European accent that sounded like Björk,” she added.
In hindsight, Eckstein’s insistence on a more grounded approach for the young Togruta likely prevented Ahsoka from being dismissed by audiences from the outset. When she made her debut in the 2008 animated film preceding the acclaimed Clone Wars series, the character was initially met with backlash from fans questioning her addition to established Star Wars lore.
Critics argued that giving Anakin Skywalker an apprentice during the Clone Wars period contradicted the themes and events of Revenge of the Sith. With the film already panned by reviews, saddling the controversial new character with an esoteric Icelandic/Björk-inspired dialect may have perpetuated criticisms of Ahsoka as a shallow, alienating “cute” gimmick.
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Instead, Eckstein’s more naturalistic take, combined with the series’ rich exploration of Ahsoka’s impact on Anakin’s path to the dark side, transformed her into one of the most celebrated Star Wars characters. Her original voice helpedground Ahsoka’s hero’s journey from a plucky newcomer to a powerful, wise warrior.
While Filoni’s artistic inspirations are unknown, the Icelandic singer’s avant-garde vocals may have felt too outlandish and distracting for the relatable youth audiences were meant to rally behind. Thankfully, Ahsoka’s voice echoed through the galaxy with an authenticity that has cemented her as a Star Wars icon for generations to come.
