Actor Gabriel Luna has reiterated his interest in playingStar Wars: The High Republic’s most complex and intriguing character: Elzar Mann.Star Wars: The High Republiclaunched as a new transmedia publishing initiative in 2021 with Charles Soule’s opening novel,Star Wars: Light of the Jedi.The High Republicis set a few centuries before the events of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy, chronicling the Jedi’s turbulent war against viciousmarauders known as the Nihiland their struggle with other more sinister dark side threats.
With dozens of novels, comics, and audiobooks,Star Wars’High Republic-era publishing initiativehas a story and a character for everyone.It’s certainly a narrative worthy of an on-screen adaptation, and Jedi Knight Elzar Mann plays a key role in it.Luna had previously revealed toThe Last of Podsthat he’d sent a letter to Dave Filoni pitching himself forStar Wars; first about Ezra Bridger, and later turning his attention to Elzar Mann. During a recent interview withScreen RantforThe Last of Usseason 2’s press day, Luna was asked if there had been any development on that front.
“The only development is, I’ve read all the [High Republic] books now, so I know the character inside and out.”
So why is Luna so interested in playing this character? What makes Elzar Mann so compelling withinStar Wars’storytelling? Luna explained:
“Oh man, it’s such a great character. I love those books. Charles Soule – great writer – and everyone else who carries on through this series is so strong. Yeah, you know, he’s a flawed person. Jedi are always thought of as these pinnacles of light and love and order, but he shows you that they’re humans – whatever race they are, in a galaxy far away.”
The High Republic Is Star Wars' Most Exciting Era, & Elzar Mann Is A Key Part Of It
The High Republichas introduced so many groundbreaking and interesting characters toStar Wars. Yet one ofThe High Republic’s most important and interesting players is the Jedi Elzar Mann. Unlike many of his peers,he struggles with his beliefs, power, capacity for love, and self-destructive tendencies, making him unpredictable but also achingly human and painfully relatable.
Star Wars: Every Major Event Of The High Republic Era
The High Republic Era is full of significant events, both for the Jedi Order and the Republic it sought to protect long before the prequels.
Elzar is certainly notStar Wars’first flawed character, and he won’t be the last, butthe beauty ofThe High Republic’s storytelling is that audiences are given much more time to experience his conflicted feelings, his grief, his inner monologue, and his struggle with the abundant violence during this time period.The High RepublicisStar Wars’most exciting new era because it’s unconnected to the Skywalker saga, but it does lay the groundwork for it, and Elzar Mann is at the center of it all.
Our Take On Gabriel Luna As Elzar Mann
Hearing that Gabriel Luna is this invested in portraying Elzar Mann in a potentialHigh Republicadaptation is genuinely incredible. He’d be perfect for this character. Luna’s roles as Tommy Miller inThe Last of Usand Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider inMarvel’s Agents of SHIELDare emotionally layered, rich, and even dark, which fits Elzar Mann to a T. Elzar is not your typicalStar Warshero, and Luna’s most intriguing characters have never been typical heroes, either.
Elzar Mann has so much potential as a character. If Rosario Dawson managed to manifest her role as Ahsoka Tano, why shouldn’t Gabriel Luna be able to do the same? AsStar Wars: The High Republic’s publishing initiative swiftly moves toward the finish line, there’s no time like the present forStar Warsto commit to a live-actionHigh Republicadaptation.
The Last of Usseason 2 premieres on HBO and Max April 13.
