Popverse's top stories of the day

• Disney & Lucasfilm are quietly planning a 50th anniversary Star Wars movie that's focused on all-new characters
• MEMBERS ONLY: Follow along live to the Mandalorian & Grogu movie panel from Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025!
• WATCH NOW: The gentleman villain Mads Mikkelsen tells us how he balances being charming and despicable in our favorite movies & TV series

Here’s the thing: Star Wars fans know that Admiral Ackbar is a military genius almost unparalleled in the Rebel Alliance, and a leader who helped the Rebel Forces gain victory over the Empire in the battle at the end of 1983’s Return of the Jedi. But who really thinks about all of that when his delivery of the line “It’s a trap!” has become so iconic it practically defines the character?

That’s something that Dave Filoni found himself thinking about when bringing Ackbar back for Disney+’s Ashoka series.

“It took all my effort to resist writing the line," Filoni said during the Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "Because I’m like, I can’t do that. That would be so lame. This guy can’t always get into the trap. You’d think he would see it this time! So there’s no way you can trap him again.”

The character cameoed in the show’s first season, but Ackbar will show up in the show’s  season 2 “in a much, much bigger way,” Filoni announced, to applause from the audience, which prompted him to add, “This crowd will get it. He’s going to go head-to-head with Thrawn. So there you go. Boom! That’s what I want to see. Give him some competition, you know? What’s a Death Star compared to the blue guy?”

This announcement prompted actual cheers, suggesting that, yes: the crowd really did get it. Maybe this time, he’ll be recognized for his strategic skills.

As long as he avoids getting trapped, that is. 

Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.