Exploring In-depth Quest Tales of the Star Wars' Diana Lee Inosanto in the Empire
Wreaking Havoc: A Deep Dive into Morgan Elsbeth's Dark Side
Star Wars' darkness never fails to captivate, and it's no surprise that its most formidable villains become some of its most fascinating characters. The time has arrived to lift the veil on one such complex character – the cunning, ruthless, and undeniably intriguing Morgan Elsbeth, daughter of Dathomir.
In the climactic moments of Ahsoka, we bore witness to Morgan's demise, but this coming weekend, Star Wars Day unveils Tales of the Empire on Disney+, offering precious insights into the forces shaping this wayward Nightsister. Let's delve into the madness as we sit down with the inimitable Diana Lee Inosanto, the talented actress behind Morgan Elsbeth, to uncover the secrets of Tales of the Empire.
James Whitbrook (io9): Morgan Elsbeth's chilling presence has left quite an impression across Star Wars' live-action series. What surprised you most about visiting her in the realm of Star Wars animation?
Diana Lee Inosanto: What truly amazed me was the wealth of detail that revealed Morgan's past – particularly her days on Dathomir and the events that transpired during that period. I adore the fact that we get to glimpse Morgan's compassionate side, her love for her fellow Nightsisters, and her unwavering connection to her heritage. Even in her darkness, there's a captivating mystery about Morgan that keeps drawing us in.
io9: With our journey into Morgan's past, we'll gain fresh insights into her history with the Nightsisters – how well-acquainted were you with Morgan's background when embracing this facet of her character?
Inosanto: Before taking on this role, I was somewhat in the dark. My introduction happened during the audition process, where I quickly realized that Morgan was a formidable conqueror and an indomitable warrior. As time went on and I dug deeper, I relied on the works of Timothy Zahn and E. Anne Convery to inform my intrepretation of Morgan. Exploring Morgan's formidable roots on Dathomir and delving into the various clans that once thrived on the planet sparked my curiosity and eagerness to learn more.
io9: Morgan's physicality has been a defining aspect of her character. With your performance primarily focused on voicing her in Tales of the Empire, how did you transition from that explosive side of her persona?
Inosanto: My approach remains much the same: I immerse myself in the character's feelings and experiences. Although I didn't have the luxury of reliving Morgan's raw power in Tales of the Empire, I made my way into the recording booth with the same fierce determination. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Lucasfilm animation team for their incredible attention to detail, and the fight scenes in Tales alone make me grin ear to ear – I'm overjoyed that they poured so much love into creating those fantastical sequences.
io9: In Tales of the Empire, we witness Morgan's first encounter with Thrawn. Given your previous collaboration in Ahsoka, how did it feel to portray that pivotal moment again?
Inosanto: I was thrilled to work alongside Lars Mikkelsen as Thrawn once more. It was fascinating how, despite not sharing the same physical space during recording sessions, I felt an immediate connection to his presence. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to familiarize myself with Thrawn's persona during our time together in Ahsoka, and that rapport shone through in our interactions during Tales of the Empire.
io9: With Tales shedding new light on several characters, but notably Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee, what aspects of Morgan have yet to be explored that you'd love to see unfold in the future?
Inosanto: I have always enjoyed portraying characters that are layered and vulnerable, and I'd leap at the chance to see Morgan perhaps struggling or showing signs of weakness. Exploring her descent into darkness and understanding the demons driving her relentless pursuit of revenge would add a new dimension to her character. Morgan is a character who does not forget, and it'll be intriguing to witness the various hues of this elusive woman as her story continues to unfold.
io9: Star Wars fans, prepare for revelations and heart-wrenching twists with Tales of the Empire, streaming on Disney+ May 4. Stay tuned for more revelations in the Star Wars saga, the exciting future of Marvel, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, and the upcoming arrivals in the DC Universe on both the big and small screens. May the Force be with you!
Research Corner:
Morgan Elsbeth, first introduced in The Mandalorian, is a significant character in the Star Wars universe. In Tales of the Empire, viewers are treated to an exploration of Morgan's complex character, delving into her origins, relationships, and experiences. Although her history is detailed only subtly in Tales of the Empire, Morgan's past remains an enigma, with more questions than explanations.
Morgan Elsbeth's interactions with Thrawn and her role among the Nightsisters are pivotal aspects of her character, as seen in Ahsoka. Her ties to Nightsister magic and her adversarial role against Ahsoka's allies are crucial elements in the series.
- Perhaps the future of Star Wars animation holds reflections on Morgan Elsbeth's past, as she had a compassionate side, loved her fellow Nightsisters, and held a strong connection to her heritage.
- In the realm of Star Wars technology, I found it surprising how much detail the animation reveals about Morgan Elsbeth's early life, particularly her days on Dathomir and the events that transpired during that period.
- As we anticipate the release of Tales of the Empire, we are hopeful for maybe more tales that delve deeper into Morgan Elsbeth's imperial past and her history with the Nightsisters.
- The upcoming television tale, Tales of the Empire, Imperial-sets in the Star Wars universe, may offer a glimpse into Morgan Elsbeth's undisclosed storylines, showcasing her dark side, her relationships, and her descent into darkness.
