Dave Filoni on Shedding Ray Stevenson, Recasting Baylan

When Ray Stevenson died, Ahsoka season two virtually 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—nevertheless, Filoni revealed it went a lot deeper than that.

“Season two was clearly an enormous problem anyway, but it surely was a very massive problem due to a dropping Ray,” Filoni stated in the course of the panel. “He was simply the best individual and such a fantastic 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 method. Ray was probably the most lovely individual on display screen and off, he was great to all of us. Nonetheless massive of a loss you assume it’s, it’s greater.”

“It was a problem for me even to think about persevering with [Ahsoka] for some time,” he continued. “However I’ve a fantastic assist group with Jon [Favreau] and Rosario [Dawson] and I discovered a method. 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 could be pleased with the course that we’ve chosen.”

Season one ended with Baylan on a private quest to seek out deeper that means within the Power, with Ahsoka and Sabine sizzling on his tail. However in line with Filoni, the rationale for Baylan present is extra than simply as a foul man.

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

Understanding he wished to proceed the story to honor Stevenson, Filoni and govt producer Jon Favreau knew there was just one possibility: 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 ought to be,” Filoni stated. “After which I talked to Jon and Jon and I made a decision that we simply wanted to seek out the proper individual that will not simply perceive the character, but additionally perceive a little bit of what Ray delivered to it as nicely. It’s one thing imperceptible. One thing simply within the eyes, to be sincere, and I feel we each felt very lucky that we met Rory McCann. So Rory will likely be taking up the position.”

Filoni stated that McCann, finest identified for roles in Sport of Thrones and Scorching Fuzz, is coming in with one most important purpose: 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 delivered to this. I do know this sole focus shouldn’t be letting Ray down and never letting you guys down. You’ll love them, and we love him and I like what he’s taking up. It’s an enormous deal, so the power is with him.”

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

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