So ... what do we think becomes of Thrawn at the end of Rebels?

Do they kill him off -- since he doesn't [yet] appear in the OT or ST? Is he going to pop up in Episode IX? Or does he just fade off to the Unknown Regions with the potential for popping back up at some point in the future?

My personal preference is for the last one -- wondering what everyone's thoughts might be.

I mean, Ruhk is right there...

There's a new Thrawn book coming out in 2018

Quote

Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader ally against a threat to the Empire in this new novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn.

The sequel to New York Times bestseller Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances will continue to follow the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn to the heights of Imperial power—and accompany him into the past, witnessing his first encounter with the man who will one day become Darth Vader.

Sounds like that takes place sometime between ep4 and ep6..... unless it takes place RIGHT before Rogue One.... but I can't see where Thrawn would have time to do anything if it did. The first Thrawn book ends about where he's first introduced in Rebels.

While it would be awesome to see Thrawn on the big screen, I don't see it happening. Too many gaps to fill. Where was he for the past 30 years? How in the galaxy was he not part of the FO galaxy takeover? And even before that, where was he during EP6? Particuarly since hes not present for any of the aftermath books.

Thrawn did recruit at least one officer and sent him back to the Chiss, so something is still happening out in the Unknown Regions. My guess is Thrawn conveniently heads back to his side of the galaxy for later use. I can't see the Rebels besting him to the point of death. Thrawn seems to be the only Imperial officer that doesn't suffer from crippling arrogance.