Ahsoka Tano Fans Aren’t Happy About Rosario Dawson’s Reported Live-Action Casting
Ahsoka Tano is one of the most popular Star Wars characters, but interestingly, she’s never been in live-action form. The character was originally voiced by Ashley Eckstein and came onto the scene in 2008’s The Clone Wars feature-length film. That, of course, turned into the popular series fans love today. Fans have hoped to see Ahsoka in a live-action movie or show for a while. Now, Rosario Dawson has reportedly been cast in the part. But fans are calling out a lawsuit against the actress and her family, which includes harrowing allegations.
Dawson is reportedly playing Ahsoka Tano in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2
On March 20, Slashfilm “exclusively” reported that Dawson was cast as Ahsoka and will appear in Season 2 of The Mandalorian. They report that they have “two independent sources” that confirm her casting, but they don’t reveal who they are. Lucasfilm nor Disney have commented on this casting news either.
As Slashfilm notes, Dawson said she wanted to play Anakin’s former Padawan in 2017, replying, “Ummmm… yes, please?! #AhsokaLives” to a tweet. She also addressed the “fancasting” on Good Morning America and said the role would “be amazing.” Ahsoka could easily fit into The Mandalorian, and a storyline is already there to adapt.
A former employee sued Dawson and her family in an anti-discrimination civil lawsuit, and fans are calling attention to this again
A large portion of people are flocking to the news with excitement, since this means the beloved character will finally be in a live-action capacity and have something to do with Mando and The Child. However, several others aren’t happy. Mostly because a former employee is currently suing Dawson and her family. The allegations include transphobic behavior like misgendering and even assaulting said employee.
Staff writer for the Daily Dot, Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, wrote on Twitter, “Whenever I see a news story about Rosario Dawson, it feels wild not to mention that she & her family are currently being sued for allegedly assaulting & abusing a trans employee.” She then links to an NBC News article about the case. Other fans are passionate about their disappointment at this news, too.
As NBC News reported on Oct. 21, 2019, Dedrek Finley sued Dawson and her family. NBC writes that the anti-discrimination civil lawsuit alleged “that Dawson and three members of her family violated Dedrek Finley’s civil rights by discriminating against him for his transgender status. The suit seeks damages for that as well as battery, assault, emotional distress and several other allegations.”
Finley was a handyman for the family and helped with renovating and remodeling Dawson’s home in Los Angeles and lived in a rent-free house belonging to Dawson’s uncle, according to Out magazine.
Finley came out as transgender, and the lawsuit claims, “the family misgendered him multiple times each day, with deliberate indifference as to the appropriate way to address Mr. Finley.” It also said that Dawson “acted with deliberate indifference and did nothing to correct the situation.”
Dedrek Finley spoke out about the lawsuit
Among many disturbing details about the suit, Dawson allegedly told Finley, “You’re a grown woman,’” despite Finley using he/him pronouns and coming out as transgender. The physical abuse involved Finley being held on the ground, punched, and beaten while Rosario Dawson’s mother yelled, “You’re not so much of a man now.” The suit claimed Dawson was “sitting on top of [Finley] and ‘actively restraining him while he was on the ground to ensure that her mother could continue battering him.’”
“[The family] was never expecting me to take a stand for myself,” Finley told Out in November. “I always hoped there would be some reconciliation, but when it goes physical, that’s it. You have to take a stand for yourself… not only for myself but for the community.”
Finley explained that it was a “really hard decision” to go through with a lawsuit because of the long time he’d known the family. “They were my only support out here,” Finley explained and also said he’s worried about future employment because of it, too. “I don’t really know anybody out here in California and came out on Isabel’s word, having left my support system back in NYC to relocate here.”
It’s unclear if this is a 100 percent confirmed casting. Some fans are choosing to worry about this until Lucasfilm or Disney confirms Dawson’s role, if true. However, if it is, it’ll be hard for these fans to overlook the allegations.
