Dave Filoni’s Heartfelt Tribute to Ray Stevenson and Ahsoka Season 2 Secrets Revealed

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There’s been a lot of buzz coming from the Star Wars Celebration in Japan, with Ahsoka Tano’s second season taking center stage. The team announced that filming for Season 2 will start towards the end of this month. Interestingly, despite the passing of actor Ray Stevenson (who played Baylan Skoll), his character is set to have a larger role in the show, with Rory McCann stepping into the part. Dave Filoni, the creator, was joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson at the event to discuss Season 2 details. During the event, Filoni also shared some touching thoughts about Ray Stevenson and his character.

Filoni began by acknowledging that season two posed numerous challenges, but losing Ray, a remarkable individual who brought such life to the Jedi character, stood out as exceptionally tough. I had worked with Ray in voice acting and immediately felt he was the perfect fit for the powerful Jedi Knight I envisioned. He surpassed all expectations. Ray’s on-screen presence was breathtaking, and off-screen, he was a delight to everyone around him. The loss of Ray is more significant than one might initially think.

Initially, the thought of carrying on seemed daunting for some time, yet I have a solid support system consisting of Jon and Rosario. With their encouragement, I eventually figured out the path forward. Throughout this journey, Ray’s presence in my thoughts was a constant guide, and our discussions about Baylan provided valuable insights. It took me a while to reach this point, but now, I feel extremely confident that Ray would approve of the direction we’ve taken. I shared our decision with his family as they held significant importance in Ray’s life during our work together each day.

According to Dave Filoni, the creator of Ahsoka, we’ve persisted with the development of the character because he holds great significance. This character serves as a mirror image of Ahsoka in every aspect. If light exists, there must be darkness, and Baylan embodies a unique journey for a Jedi who has strayed from the path. Just as Ahsoka once distanced herself from the order, so did Baylan. This parallel is crucial, and it’s something that needs to unfold further. Filoni explained that he kept hearing the name ‘Ray’, which guided him in shaping this character. This led us to the idea of recruiting another actor to portray the role, essentially. Because Ray had portrayed the character so memorably, there was a clear blueprint for what this new character should embody. Filoni continued…

After speaking with Jon, we both concluded that we needed to discover an individual who not only grasps the character but also appreciates some of what Ray contributed to it, subtleties perhaps only visible in his eyes. To put it plainly, it’s something intangible. And I believe we were both lucky because circumstances seemed to guide us towards Rory McCann, and he will be stepping into the role of Baylan.

Speaking about Rory McCann, Filoni shared that he takes his role incredibly personally. With a heart as vast as his stature, Rory holds immense respect for Ray and the impact he made on our show. This deep dedication to upholding Ray’s legacy, and ensuring our expectations are met, is palpable in Rory. I have no doubt you’ll come to love him just as we do now, and I’m excited to see him tackle such a significant role. The Force is with him, and I believe you will be too, so thank you.

Rosario Dawson Remembers Ray Stevenson

At the event, Rosario Dawson was present too, and she honored Stevenson while backing McCann. Excited to have Rory join us, I’ve worked with him two decades back on a film. He’s truly an exceptional individual.

Ray exhibited an unyielding vitality, both strong and compassionate, filled with a contagious laughter that brought joy. Similarly, Rory possesses a remarkable equilibrium, combining intensity, ferocity, love, and passion. The training period over the past few months has been enjoyable, and now we’re eager to dive deeper into it, with everyone sharing an overwhelming enthusiasm.

As a passionate movie buff, I must confess that while we haven’t had the chance to delve into every episode yet, what I’ve seen so far from Dave’s work is simply outstanding! I can hardly contain my excitement for Season 2 of Ahsoka, which starts filming next week. The groundwork we’ve laid in Season 1 has set the stage for some truly exciting developments, and it feels like we’re about to really dive into the action. I can’t wait to see what unfolds!

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, be sure to catch up on Ahsoka Season 1 on Disney+ via the link below: [Disney+ Link] Stay tuned for more updates!

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2025-04-19 12:33