Vanessa Marshall, the acclaimed voice actress known for her roles in popular franchises like Star Wars, Wonder Woman, and Guardians of the Galaxy, recently shared insights into her career, her connection to Star Wars, and the profound impact of storytelling during an interview with Nick Williams of Temple of Geek.

Vanessa Marshall on The Art of Storytelling and a Love for Humanity

Marshall revealed that her passion for acting stems from a lifelong fascination with human nature, evolution, culture, and philosophy. She sees storytelling as a sacred and profound art form that unites people from all backgrounds. While she doesn’t feel a need to be in front of the camera, she is dedicated to facilitating great storytelling in any capacity. Marshall began her career in theater and believes in the healing properties of entertainment.

• Nick of Temple of Geek: Acting is in your family, but when did you know that that was that was what you wanted?
• Vanessa: Well, I have always been an anthropologist and I love studying humans, ah human nature, evolution, ah culture, religion, theater, philosophy, all these things that that make us tick. And part of storytelling, it happens in a theater. And I love to facilitate that in any way, shape or form. I don’t need to be in front of the camera. I just want to be a part of great storytelling and in any capacity. So I come from the theater originally. I just feel that there’s something so profound and sacred about what entertainment can do to bring us together, no matter where we come from. And the healing properties are beyond measure as far as I’m concerned. And that that’s how I knew that I was in the right place.

A Lifelong Connection to Star Wars

A self-proclaimed “anthropologist”, Marshall’s connection to Star Wars began as a child when her aunt took her and her cousins to see A New Hope. She was immediately captivated and wanted to emulate Princess Leia, with Chewbacca becoming a significant figure for her. As she grew older, she continued to identify with different characters in subsequent films and was inspired by the heroic journeys explored in the Star Wars universe, even studying Joseph Campbell’s work in college. She believes Star Wars inspires people to “do the right thing and be a better person”. Marshall voices Hera Syndulla in Star Wars Rebels and has also lent her voice to the Millennium Falcon at Galaxy’s Edge.

• Nick of Temple of Geek: So what was that for you growing up? And what did Star Wars mean for you?
• Vanessa: Well, I’m an only child and ah my mother has a sister and two brothers and all of them live in Colorado. And sometimes my parents, as many parents look for something to do with their kids over the summer, sometimes they would just deposit me with my aunt and and my cousins. And that particular summer, my aunt took us to see episode four and we had no idea what we were getting involved with. But i was blown away, transfixed, this is all I wanted to think about. It’s all I cared about. I wanted to emulate Princess Leia. Chewie was like my higher power. It just captured my imagination and i was inspired by it. And it has continued to mean everything to me as my life has progressed. You know, at first I loved Princess Leia, but as each subsequent film came out, I came to identify with different characters at different phases of my life. And since, when I went to college, I studied Joseph Campbell and myth and all these things, as I referred to just now, that I looked at these heroic journeys and they inspired me to do the right thing and be a better person.

The Legacy of Hera Syndulla in Star Wars Rebels

Marshall’s favorite episode is “Wings of the Master,” the B-Wing episode. This episode resonated deeply with her due to her father’s background as an Air Force pilot. She connected with Hera’s understanding of flight’s spiritual component and the value of perspective, which her father also taught her. Another memorable moment for Marshall was when Hera spoke with a Ryloth accent during an argument with her father, Cham Syndulla. She also enjoyed exploring a younger Hera in The Bad Batch, delving into how much of the Ryloth accent was present and her confidence as a teenager.

• Nick of Temple of Geek: So going on Hera’s journey, when it came to recording, especially for Rebels, did you have a favorite Hera story arc or story that Hera was a part of?
• Vanessa: Well, yes, actually, i would say my favorite episode is the B-Wing episode, “Wings of the Master”. I’ve shared this before. My dad was in the Air Force and he’s a pilot. And talked about the value of perspective, the value of staying in the moment and being present. And so, you know, when Hera basically says exactly that, you know, I felt very connected to my father and I dedicated that to him. When Hera and her father, when she’s with Cham and she sort of gets into it with him and starts speaking in a Ryloth accent, that was a fun moment as well. And being the Clone Wars nerd ball that I am I know exactly what a Ryloth accent sounds like. And you know I love me some Cham Syndulla. So I was right there with the Ryloth accent to kind of go at him in that heated exchange. Equally, I’ll say when I was in The Bad Batch and we went back to see what was Hera like as a teenager, it was fun to sort out just how much of that Ryloth accent had already been erased by that point or how thick was it? How much confidence did she have back then?

The Emotional Core of Star Wars and Future Endeavors

Marshall discussed the profound impact of Star Wars, emphasizing that its enduring appeal lies not just in lightsaber battles but in its human aspect and emotional depth. She spoke movingly about the Hera and Kanan relationship. Admiring Hera’s dedication and her ability to focus on the task at hand. Marshall noted that when Kanan makes the sacrifice, Hera’s line “I thought I had more time” is a valuable lesson that “we are never guaranteed time”. This particular storyline resonated with Marshall personally after the sudden passing of her best friend. Highlighting the importance of celebrating loved ones and the support of chosen family during grief.

In terms of Star Wars lore, Marshall found the “World Between Worlds” concept wild. She also enjoyed the featured role of the Loth-wolves. She appreciated pondering the lessons found in the neutral space of the “World Between Worlds”.

Marshall is also part of a new podcast called “Pod of Rebellion.” You can stream the podcast on iHeart, along with Taylor Gray, Tiya Sircar, John Brody, and JC Reifenberg. They’ve just finished their first season, and they encourage fans to submit questions, cosplay photos, and fan theories to “podofrebellionpodcast@gmail.com”. They are also planning to bring on special guests, including sports figures who are Star Wars fans.

Vanessa: There’ll be fun stuff next year. So if we can circle back around in 2026, I think it’ll be it’ll be even more fun. I just wanted to say for the Pod of Rebellion podcast, if anyone hasn’t checked it out yet, it’s Pod of Rebellion on all socials. You can come follow us and and stay in touch. But also if you want to send any questions in, podofrebellionpodcast at gmail.com. Feel free to write in questions, send us your cosplay, any fan theories and come come join the party. Catch up with us and and we’re taking flight. We’re having some really, really special guests coming up. I’m so, so, so excited. And most of us are huge sports fans. So we’re ah trying to find different people, sports figures who are total Star Wars nerds and have them come on and talk about sort of what Star Wars means to them. So really the sky is the limit. So thank you for letting me share that here. But, but also I look forward to coming back when there’s, there’s some really big news. So yeah.

Nick of Temple of Geek: I think that’s why Star Wars means so much to so many. It’s not the lightsaber battles. It’s the, the human aspect and, and the emotion and what people go to go through and how we can relate to each other.

Vanessa: Yeah, definitely. Definitely. I agree.

Nick of Temple of Geek: Um, and of course, Hera Syndulla, space mom to to everybody, is such a widely loved character. Like my fiancé, her favorite character is is Hera.

Vanessa: Aw, that’s so sweet.

Nick of Temple of Geek: Going on Hera’s journey, when it when it come came to recording, especially for Rebels, did you have a favorite Hera kind of story arc or story that Hera was a part of?

Vanessa: Well, on the one hand, i admire Hera’s dedication, her ability to focus on the task at hand as opposed to, let’s just say, the petty indulgences of romance and desire. And you know as we find come to find out, when he makes the sacrifice and you know she says I thought I had more time, for me, that is a valuable lesson um that we are never guaranteed time. Recently, my best friend passed away suddenly of a heart attack. I learned a lot from the success of their relationship. I’m glad that they took the time to do that. But heartfelt relationship i have a heartfelt a sort of level of grief for her regret. And I understand it. And I’m grateful that Dave Filoni fleshed that out. And we were able to show through the second half of that season, following that act, but that the chosen family was there for each other and became stronger and even closer. It’s important to celebrate people when they’re here. And it’s also important to grieve as anyone needs to. Everyone’s grief looks different, but it’s a very real part of life and how chosen family can really help in those those darker moments.

Nick of Temple of Geek: Rebels not only not only expanded relationships when it comes to that, but also it really dove into lore, which I find very interesting. Is there a particular lore that ah was kind of um ah accentuated in or expanded on in Rebels that that you particularly as a Star Wars fan really, really latched on to?

Vanessa: Oh, the world between worlds was bananas. Yeah. World between worlds was crazy. I also love that the, the Loth wolves or whatever the wolves were given, like. Featured. I mean, i love that. And I i think that that really occurred. But anyway, to hear the different voices that were in the world between worlds and see sort of the, the lessons in that very neutral space that is a space, but not a space, you know, that, that kind of stuff. I but i love pondering those things, uh, truly. So that, that I thought was incredible.