Dave Filoni on Shedding Ray Stevenson, Recasting Baylan

When Ray Stevenson died, Ahsoka season two nearly died with it. Dave Filoni, the present’s creator, was at Star Wars Celebration Japan this weekend and did a panel about his Disney+ show. Alongside the best way, the subject of Stevenson’s passing got here up and Filoni received visibly emotional. Stevenson performed fallen Jedi Grasp Baylan Skoll, a personality that clearly had a huge role to play in the way forward for the collection—nonetheless, Filoni revealed it went a lot deeper than that.

“Season two was clearly an enormous problem anyway, however it was a very huge problem due to a shedding Ray,” Filoni mentioned throughout the panel. “He was simply the best individual and such an incredible spirit on the present. I knew Ray from working in voice appearing with him, I simply at all times immediately related with him and thought, ‘After I make live-action, I would like this man to painting a strong Jedi Knight which have had in thoughts.’ And he didn’t disappoint in any manner. Ray was essentially the most stunning individual on display screen and off, he was great to all of us. Nonetheless huge of a loss you assume it’s, it’s larger.”

“It was a problem for me even to contemplate persevering with [Ahsoka] for some time,” he continued. “However I’ve an incredible help group with Jon [Favreau] and Rosario [Dawson] and I discovered a manner. I had Ray in my head and I’m grateful for all of the conversations with him about Baylan. So I understood what to do, it simply took some time to get there. However I’m very assured now that Ray can be pleased with the course that we’ve chosen.”

Season one ended with Baylan on a private quest to search out deeper which means within the Pressure, with Ahsoka and Sabine scorching on his tail. However in response to Filoni, the explanation for Baylan present is extra than simply as a nasty man.

“The character was meant to be essential,” Filoni mentioned. “He’s meant to be the parallel to Ahsoka in each manner. If there’s a lightweight, there’s a darkish and Baylan is representing a distinct journey of a Jedi that’s misplaced his manner. As a lot as [Ahsoka] represents one which’s sort of walked away from the Order, so did he. And that parallel is one thing that should proceed.”

Figuring out he wished to proceed the story to honor Stevenson, Filoni and government producer Jon Favreau knew there was just one choice: recast the character. And as previously reported, they discovered their man in Scottish actor Rory McCann. “In essence, as a result of Ray carried out it so iconically, there’s a blueprint for what this character needs to be,” Filoni mentioned. “After which I talked to Jon and Jon and I made a decision that we simply wanted to search out the appropriate individual that may not simply perceive the character, but additionally perceive a little bit of what Ray dropped at it as nicely. It’s one thing imperceptible. One thing simply within the eyes, to be sincere, and I believe we each felt very lucky that we met Rory McCann. So Rory will likely be taking on the function.”

Filoni mentioned that McCann, finest identified for roles in Sport of Thrones and Sizzling Fuzz, is coming in with one major aim: make the legacy of Ray Stevenson dwell on. “[Rory] takes it very severely. He’s an enormous man with an enormous coronary heart, and he has such respect for Ray and what he dropped at this. I do know this sole focus isn’t letting Ray down and never letting you guys down. You’ll love them, and we love him and I like what he’s taking over. It’s an enormous deal, so the pressure is with him.”

Ahsoka season two begins taking pictures by the tip of April. No phrase on a launch date, however now we have to think about someday in late 2026.

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