When the fifth episode of Ahsoka dropped, fans collectively lost their minds. It wasn't just seeing Hayden Christensen back in his Clone Wars armor, though that was a massive deal. It was the girl standing next to him. Ariana Greenblatt somehow managed to step into the boots of a beloved animated icon and make it look effortless. But, honestly, it was anything but easy. The Ariana Greenblatt Ahsoka training process was a secret, high-intensity grind that happened while she was busy being a "real world" teenager in the year's biggest blockbuster.
The Secret "Barbie" Connection
Imagine filming one of the most colorful, high-profile movies of the decade while secretly preparing to join the most famous sci-fi franchise in history. That’s exactly what Greenblatt did. While she was on the set of Barbie playing Sasha, she was spending her off-hours learning how to wield dual lightsabers.
She's mentioned in interviews that she couldn't tell a soul. It’s kinda wild to think about. One minute she’s doing scenes with Margot Robbie, and the next, she’s practicing the Jar'Kai combat style—that’s the two-saber technique Ahsoka is famous for—in her trailer or a gym nearby. She spent about two months in this dual-life mode before ever stepping onto a Star Wars set.
👉 See also: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
Mentorship and the "Thunderbolt" Moment
You’ve probably seen the behind-the-scenes clips of her and Hayden Christensen. They look like they’ve been training together for years. That sibling-like chemistry didn’t just happen. Dave Filoni, the mastermind behind the show, described seeing Ariana in full costume as a "thunderbolt" moment. He’d spent over a decade with the animated version of this character, and suddenly, she was standing there in the flesh.
But Greenblatt didn't just rely on her look. She went straight to the source for help. She credits Rosario Dawson—who plays the adult Ahsoka—as her primary mentor. To get the performance right, Greenblatt visited Dawson on set just to watch. She basically acted like a sponge, soaking up Dawson’s specific body language, the way she stands, and even her speech patterns.
✨ Don't miss: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Why? Because technically, the Ahsoka in those flashbacks isn't just a memory. Within the "World Between Worlds," she’s a version of Ahsoka that contains the older version's consciousness. Greenblatt had to play a 14-year-old soldier who mentally felt like a weary veteran.
What the training actually looked like:
- Lightsaber Choreography: She had to master the reverse-grip style, which is notoriously difficult for balance and wrist mobility.
- The Binge-Watch: She kept The Clone Wars animated series playing in the background of her life for weeks to nail the "Snips" attitude.
- Previsualization: She spent hours in "previs" sessions, which are low-tech rehearsals where actors walk through the fights in plain clothes to nail the timing before the cameras and pyrotechnics are added.
Working With "The Chosen One"
If you’re a Star Wars nerd, the videos Ariana posted on social media are gold. There’s one clip of her and Hayden practicing the duel on a rehearsal stage. You can hear Hayden making his own "vroom vroom" lightsaber sounds while they swing plastic sticks at each other.
🔗 Read more: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
It’s endearing, sure, but the work was grueling. The stunt training was described by Greenblatt as "crazy." She wasn't just swinging a prop; she had to lead groups of stunt performers dressed as Clones through mud and simulated war zones. Filoni recalled a specific moment where he saw her sitting on the ground, just chatting with a group of soldiers in full armor. She wasn't "acting" in that moment, but she was so effortlessly Ahsoka that it jaw-dropped the crew.
Why It Matters for the Future
There is a massive difference between a child actor playing a part and an actor inhabiting a legacy. Greenblatt’s dedication to the Ariana Greenblatt Ahsoka training regimen proved that the Clone Wars era can work in live-action. She captured the tragedy of a "child soldier" in a way that felt grounded.
People are already clamoring for a full live-action Clone Wars series featuring her and Hayden. Whether that happens or not, her performance set a new bar for how Star Wars handles its legacy characters. She didn't just play a younger Rosario Dawson; she played the Ahsoka Tano that fans have loved since 2008.
To really appreciate the technical skill involved, go back and watch the "Shadow Warrior" episode again, but pay attention to her feet. The way she pivots during the Siege of Mandalore sequence is a direct result of those two months of secret training. If you want to dive deeper into the lore she was pulling from, the best place to start is the "Siege of Mandalore" arc in the final season of The Clone Wars—it’s the specific blueprint she used for her performance.