So far, The Mandalorian has managed to expertly weave elements of the Original Trilogy, the Prequel Trilogy, and several animated Star Wars series into its sprawling narrative. Its addictive second season, which gave fans celebrated Jedi Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, also dropped the thermal detonator of news for Star Wars Legends fans; a potential appearance from Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Star Wars Legends refers to the material de-canonized when Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2014, and includes countless novels, comic books, and video games. Perhaps no piece of Legends is so revered as Timothy Zahn's "Dark Empire" trilogy (also known as the "Thrawn Trilogy"), which introduced a brilliant Chiss strategist who normally xenophobic Emperor Palpatine trusted with top secret Imperial information. Because of when the second season takes place, Ahsoka name-dropping Thrawn puts him exactly where he was in the Legends timeline, amassing the Imperial Remnant to reclaim the Empire.
Michael Fassbender
With his square jaw, chiseled cheekbones, and aristocratic air, Michael Fassbender is a fan frontrunner to play Thrawn. Ever since he perfectly encapsulated one of Marvel's greatest villains in personality and behavior in films like X-Men: Days of Future Past, and chilled audiences in Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Alien: Covenant as the rebellious AI David, he's shown that he has what it takes to play the urbane Star Wars villain.
Some fans have felt that he could be too young to play the part at 43, but there's never been an official release from Lucasfilm regarding Thrawn's age, and most fans place him in his mid-40s by the time The Mandalorian takes place.
Benedict Cumberbatch
There are few actors working today who can convey both a commanding sense of authority and decorum quite like Benedict Cumberbatch. Even portraying literary heroes like Sherlock Holmes on BBC's Sherlock, or superheroes like Doctor Strange, he manages to exude an aura of danger and unpredictability.
No stranger to the sci-fi genre, he played the celebrated Star Trek villain Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, which first got fans talking about the possibility of him playing someone dastardly in the Star Wars Universe. In The Hobbit movies he played the dreaded dragon Smaug, bringing his usual intimidating malevolence.
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving has made a reputation playing villains, and heroes with an edge to them. As Agent Smith in The Matrix, he cemented himself as one of the greatest sci-fi foes of all time, a reputation he continued to build upon by appearing as Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, and voicing Megatron in Transformers.
While there's no doubt Weaving would be able to capture Thrawn's ruthlessness, one need only look at roles like Lord Elrond in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit movies to witness his ability to present the grace and dignity that set Grand Admiral Thrawn apart from other Star Wars villains.
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston has been a burgeoning thought in fans' minds for a character in that galaxy far, far away ever since he emerged as one of the MCU's most memorable villains. Marvel's trickster god Loki has never come to life quite like in the embodiment by Hiddleston, thanks to a carefully crafted acting style that mixes equal parts charm and menace.
Hiddleston may have his schedule full depending on how the Loki spin-off series does on Disney+, but his appearance as Thrawn might not be very time-consuming. His dynamic approach to the interior of a character, no matter how deplorable, would make for a compelling performance.
Lars Mikkelsen
Lars Mikkelsen provided the voice for Grand Admiral Thrawn in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, matching his dulcet tones to the CGI movements with aplomb. He has become synonymous with the character to such an extent that fans feel he's the only actor who could possibly portray the live-action version.
Mikkelsen has gained attention from his roles in the critically acclaimed series House of Cards, Sherlock's Season 3, and most recently can be seen in The Witcher series.
Jon Hamm
Known for playing intimidating but charismatic men in positions of authority, Jon Hamm is most often associated with the role of classy, if not hedonistic, advertising executive Jon Draper from the hit AMC series Mad Men, where he charmed America as a go-getting media titan.
To many fans Hamm has the right physical dimensions and comportment to carry off an important character like Grand Admiral Thrawn who, while potentially unknown to casual Star Wars fans, requires a certain gravitas to carry off well.
Lee Pace
Standing 6'5", Lee Pace has become known for playing statuesque genre characters in such legendary franchises as the MCU and Lord of the Rings. In Guardians of the Galaxy, he adopted blue body paint to portray the fearsome Cree scourge Ronan The Accuser, who was equal parts violent and reserved.
As King Thranduil in The Hobbit trilogy he displayed a much softer side, but as a wary elf lord, his reservations about Dwarves and the Race of Men nearly prevented victory at the Battle of the Five Armies. His memorable voice, both commanding and soft-spoken voice, would be very similar to Thrawn's cadence.
Antony Starr
Antony Starr has captured the attention of superhero fans across the globe by portraying Homelander, the sociopathic leader of The Seven in Amazon Prime's The Boys. Never has a hero been so villainous, nor a villain been capable of appearing so heroic. The aloof and commanding way Homelander carries himself is evocative of Grand Admiral Thrawn's body language, as well as his unpredictable irascibility.
A native of New Zealand despite his pitch-perfect American accent, Starr has mostly done projects in his home country, making him an appropriate choice to portray a character he could imbue with his signature style without being too well known.
Jason Isaacs
Respected English actor Jason Isaacs has portrayed some of the best villains in cinema; Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, criminal Michael Caffee in Brotherhood, and of course Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot.
No stranger to the sci-fi genre, he's appeared as Captain Lorca, one of Starfleet's most controversial captains in Star Trek: Discovery, and also voiced The Grand Inquisitor on Star Wars: Rebels, so he could easily slip into the role of Thrawn, bringing with him a formidable pedigree.
Iain Glen
Depending on Thrawn's age by the time he's featured in an upcoming season of The Mandalorian, he could require a distinguished presence, which makes an actor of Iain Glen's caliber ideal. He's enjoyed recent acclaim as the errant swordsell Ser Jorah in the HBO hit Game of Thrones, but many fans remember his dastardly Manfred Powell, the primary villain of Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
As Thrawn, he would imbue the Grand Admiral with a steely elegance, that would no doubt make him one of the more memorable foes Mando and The Child would have to face.