Latest news with #Filoni
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Ahsoka's Dave Filoni May Soon Be Running ‘Star Wars'
Ahsoka With Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy on her way out, the open question is who will succeed her in that role. A new report points to a familiar choice, someone with both fans and detractors in the Star Wars space. In a lengthy THR piece about Disney executive power, when it comes to Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni is the name that comes up. Here's the section: Perfect, right? Well, here are the downsides: I've seen a lot of Star Wars fans read this and say 'of course you want a Lucas guy who knows a ton of dense Star Wars mythology!' I can see that position, but the counterpoint isn't wrong. Andor just wrapped up a two-season run as inarguably one of the best pieces of Star Wars content ever made. You might expect that to lead to an immediate appointment of whoever did that to a top spot, but that's Tony Gilroy, and he's simply moving on to other things. The most promising word from him is 'never say never,' but he's not even close to the conversation here. Dave Filoni at the "Ahsoka" FYC Event held at the DGA Theater on June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, ... More California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) A 'co-head' role with Filoni and Carrie Beck sounds like what DC is doing with James Gunn and Peter Safran, but it's very much Gunn as the face and captain. The same would be true of Filoni. Filoni has been heavily involved in The Mandalorian from its inception, as he is the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie. His pet project series, Ahsoka, is currently the only Disney Plus project getting a second season, but one that appears like it will arrive three years after season 1. Filoni's issue is that he has a fixed set of die-hard fans who have been following his work since his animated series The Clone Wars and its follow-up, Rebels. But a lot of his work within the universe so far has been getting many of those characters into live-action and present-day Disney projects. Great for fans of those shows, but they still have to work on their own. Clone Wars Still, Filoni seems like the logical choice given the options at hand. I do wonder how much the success or failure of the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu will factor into all this, as that's a film that will be emblematic of his brand, given that he co-wrote it with director Jon Favreau. There was a time when Favreau seemed to have been considered to run Lucasfilm with Filoni, but that idea isn't mentioned in this latest piece. It's a fraught time for Star Wars. Andor is a stunning achievement. Andor also cost $650 million for a show not that many people watched, and its talent is leaving to go elsewhere, including Kathleen Kennedy, who was the show's biggest champion. So, what happens now? Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
See - Sada Elbalad
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Hayden Christensen to Reprise Anakin Skywalker Role in "Ahsoka" Season 2
Yara Sameh It has been a long time since the season one finale of "Ahsoka" — one year and seven months. But two teases came out of the Ahsoka panel tonight at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo about season 2, which is going into production next week. First, Hayden Christensen is coming back as Anakin Skywalker — the Jedi Master of Ahsoka, and the duo have a very complex relationship. Moreover, Game of Thrones' actor Rory McCann is stepping in to play evil Jedi Baylan Skol after the death of Ray Stevenson. Admiral Ackbar is also returning — and that's not a trap. 'He's going head-to-head with Thrawn,' promised Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni. 'It took all of my effort to resist writing the line — 'It's a trap!' Because I'm like, I can't do that, that would be so lame. Because this guy can't always get into traps. You'd think he would see it this time,' joked Filoni. Stevenson died in May 2023 before season one of Ahsoka debuted. He played a key nefarious antagonist who locks horns with Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka. Dawson worked with McCann 20 years ago in Oliver Stone's Alexander. She concurred with Filoni that when it came to filling in Stevenson's shoes, it boiled down to an actor and their eyes. McCann possessed that intensity. Filoni got emotional when remembering Stevenson. 'Season 2 was predictably a big challenge because of losing Ray,' said Filoni. 'I knew Ray from working on voice acting with him,' he added. 'It was a challenge for me to consider continuing for a while. But I have a wonderful support group in Jon (Favreau) and Rosario (Dawson)'. Favreau, Dawson and Christensen were also on stage in Tokyo with Filoni. 'I found a way in — I had Ray in my head. I'm grateful for all my conversations with him about Baylan. So, I understood what to do, it just took a while to get there. I'm very confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction that we've chosen,' added Filoni who made the decision in concert with the late actor's family. 'The character is meant to be the parallel to Ahsoka in every way. If there's a light, there's a dark, and Baylan is representing a different journey for a Jedi as you (Rosario) represent one who walked away from the (Jedi) order, so did he. That's a parallel that must continue,' said Filoni. McCann's credits are numerous including "Gladiator II", "Hot Fuzz", "Jumanji: The Next Level" as well as 39 episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones as Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane. The last we left off in October 2023 with the Ahsoka season one finale, Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) made the jump to hyperspace via a space loop while Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine (Natasha Liu) and Ezra (Eman Esfandi) were marooned in the green tundra tumbleweeds of Peridea in a galaxy far, far away. Thrawn's m.o. is to reassemble the Empire aka 'The Thrawn campaign,' which was a series of military and political maneuvers by the blue man to restore the Empire and implode the New Republic. Filoini has been a fan of Thrawn since author Timothy Zahn introduced him in the post Return of the Jedi novel Heir to the Empire. 'He is the iconic villain. Thrawn doesn't have the force, but holds his own against everybody.' Dawson said that she hasn't read all the scripts for season 2, and that's because Filoni 'keeps re-writing them.' Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker for Ahsoka Season 2. — Star Wars (@starwars) April 19, 2025 read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Ahsoka' Season 2: Hayden Christensen Returning As Anakin Skywalker, Rory McCann Taking Over Baylan Skol & More
Gosh, it's been a long time since the season one finale of Ahsoka — one year and seven months. But two teases came out of the Ahsoka panel tonight at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo about season 2, which is going into production next week. First, Hayden Christensen is coming back as Anakin Skywalker — that makes all the sense in the world. Anakin is the Jedi Master of Ahsoka, and the duo have a very complex relationship. But in more news, Game of Thrones' actor Rory McCann is stepping in to play evil Jedi Baylan Skol after the death of Ray Stevenson. Also, Admiral Ackbar is returning — and that's not a trap. 'He's going head-to-head with Thrawn,' promised Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni. More from Deadline 'Star Wars' Darth Maul Animated Series Ordered By Disney+; Sam Witwer Returns To Voice Villain 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' Teases New Footage Of Sigourney Weaver & Jeremy Allen White - Star Wars Celebration 'Star Wars: Starfighter': Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling Reveal Details & Premiere Date For New Film - Star Wars Celebration 'It took all of my effort to resist writing the line — 'It's a trap!' Because I'm like, I can't do that, that would be so lame. Because this guy can't always get into traps. You'd think he would see it this time,' joked Filoni. Stevenson died in May 2023 before season one of Ahsoka debuted. He played a key nefarious antagonist who locks horns with Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka. Dawson worked with McCann 20 years ago in Oliver Stone's Alexander. She concurred with Filoni that when it came to filling in Stevenson's shoes, it boiled down to an actor and their eyes. McCann possessed that intensity. Filoni got emotional when remembering Stevenson. 'Season 2 was predictably a big challenge because of losing Ray,' said Filoni. 'I knew Ray from working on voice acting with him,' he said, 'It was a challenge for me to consider continuing for a while. But I have a wonderful support group in Jon (Favreau) and Rosario (Dawson)'. Favreau, Dawson and Christensen were also on stage today in Tokyo with Filoni. 'I found a way in — I had Ray in my head. I'm grateful for all my conversations with him about Baylan. So, I understood what to do, it just took a while to get there. I'm very confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction that we've chosen,' added Filoni who made the decision in concert with the late actor's family. 'The character is meant to be the parallel to Ahsoka in every way. If there's a light, there's a dark, and Baylan is representing a different journey for a Jedi as you (Rosario) represent one who walked away from the (Jedi) order, so did he. That's a parallel that must continue,' said Filoni. McCann's credits are numerous including Gladiator II, Hot Fuzz, Jumanji: The Next Level as well as 39 episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones as Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane. The last we left off in October 2023 with the Ahsoka season one finale, Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) made the jump to hyperspace via a space loop while Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine (Natasha Liu) and Ezra (Eman Esfandi) were marooned in the green tundra tumbleweeds of Peridea in a galaxy far, far away. Thrawn's m.o. is to reassemble the Empire aka 'The Thrawn campaign,' which was a series of military and political maneuvers by the blue man to restore the Empire and implode the New Republic. Filoini has been a fan of Thrawn since author Timothy Zahn introduced him in the post Return of the Jedi novel Heir to the Empire. 'He is the iconic villain. Thrawn doesn't have the force, but holds his own against everybody.' Dawson said that she hasn't read all the scripts for season 2, and that's because Filoni 'keeps re-writing them.' Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker for Ahsoka Season 2. — Star Wars (@starwars) April 19, 2025 Best of Deadline 'Ransom Canyon' Book Vs. Show Differences: From Quinn & Staten's Love Story To Yancy Grey's Plot Everything We Know About Netflix's 'Ransom Canyon' So Far 'Ransom Canyon' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The New Netflix Western Romance Series
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Ahsoka' Season 2: Hayden Christensen Returning As Anakin Skywalker, Rory McCann Taking Over Baylan Skoll & More
Gosh, it's been a long time since the season one finale of Ahsoka — one year and seven months. But two teases came out of the Ahsoka panel tonight at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo: first Hayden Christensen is coming back as Anakin Skywalker; but also Rory McCann is stepping in to play evil Jedi Baylan Skoll after the death of Ray Stevenson. Also, Admiral Ackbar is returning — and that's not a trap. 'He's going head to head with Thrawn,' said Dave Filoni. More from Deadline 'Star Wars' Darth Maul Animated Series Ordered By Disney+; Sam Witwer Returns To Voice Villain 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' Teases New Footage Of Sigourney Weaver & Jeremy Allen White - Star Wars Celebration 'Star Wars: Starfighter': Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling Reveal Details & Premiere Date For New Film - Star Wars Celebration Season 2 is set to go into production next week, said the group tonight. Stevenson died in May 2023 before season one of Ahsoka debuted. He played a key nefarious antagonist. Dawson worked with McCann 20 years ago, and concurred with Filoni that when it came to filling in Stevenson's shoes, it boiled down to an actor, and their eyes. McCann has that intensity. Filoni got emotional when remembering Stevenson. 'Season 2 was predictably a big challenge because of losing Ray,' said Filoni who is the creator of the show. 'I knew Ray from working on voice acting with him,' he said, 'It was a challenge for me to consider continuing for a while. But I have a wonderful support group in Jon (Favreau) and Rosario (Dawson)'. Favreau, Dawson and Christensen were on stage today in Tokyo with Filoni. The last we left off in October 2023, Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) made the jump to hyperspace via a space loop while Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine (Natasha Liu) and Ezra (Eman Esfandi) were marooned in the green tundra tumbleweeds of Peridea in a galaxy far, far away. Thrawn's m.o. is to reassemble the Empire aka 'The Thrawn campaign,' which was a series of military and political maneuvers by the blue man to restore the Empire and implode the New Republic. More.. Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker for Ahsoka Season 2. — Star Wars (@starwars) April 19, 2025 Best of Deadline 'Ransom Canyon' Book Vs. Show Differences: From Quinn & Staten's Love Story To Yancy Grey's Plot Everything We Know About Netflix's 'Ransom Canyon' So Far 'Ransom Canyon' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The New Netflix Western Romance Series
