I think the appeal for me is that I didn’t really like Thrawn as he was written in his trilogy in the old EU, so I’m hoping they make him a better character in Rebels. I like the idea of new takes on established characters, especially EU characters.
I see what you mean, but I still find it strange. If you didn’t like the original Thrawn character, why would you have him remade rather than get someone completely original?
For some people, I’ve heard they’re excited that Thrawn will now be Officially Full Canon now.
I’ve never understood this argument. It’s all fiction, Thrawn is fiction, why must he be part of the official canon. Some fans react almost as if they’ve just learned that a a character from legends (like Robin Hood, or something similar) was just revealed to be a real historical character. This is even how Lucasfilm have been hinting at Thrawn’s return; I can’t find the exact quote but it was something like "some elements of the legends are true".
I dunno, it’s just silly and weird to me.
Bottom line for me is this; I find re-booting characters weird, and I don’t watch Rebels anyway, but at least the new Thrawn looks cool and like the voice they chose for him.