Latest news with #RayStevenson
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Rory McCann Opens Up About Taking on Baylan Skoll for ‘Ahsoka' Season 2
Whenever we return to Ahsoka, and its mysterious antagonist Baylan Skoll, we'll be doing so in the sad recognition of the passing of the late, great Ray Stevenson, who brought the character to such intriguing life in season one. Now, Skoll will be played by Game of Thrones' Rory McCann, who has opened up about the responsibility–and the fight training–that comes with taking on such a legacy. McCann was only officially confirmed as taking on the mantle of the dark Jedi for season 2 at Star Wars Celebration Japan last month, following reports about the decision to recast the character rather than write Skoll out of Ahsoka entirely. 'I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline, not just cut it off,' McCann told about the decision, one of the first times he's spoke out about joining the galaxy far, far away. 'We've done it before with other things. I hope the fans embrace it, and I'll do my best. I'm just starting now, so I'm just trying to be in the right zone for doing it. It's pretty bloody exciting.' McCann's right–although the circumstances around Skoll's recasting are understandably forced by tragedy, Star Wars fans have gotten used to accepting characters being recast over the course of the long Skywalker saga (and arguably should continue to get even more comfortable with, if the alternative is as either McCann says, not carrying on a storyline, or whatever the whole digital Luke Skywalker homunculus situation The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian have going on). Aside from having to take on another actor's character, McCann's also getting to grips with something he's already plenty familiar with thanks to his time in Westeros: the sword training. 'I mean, I remember being a kid with my dad, going to the first one probably in the late '70s and '80s,' he added. 'Now I'm training with a lightsaber at night, so it's pretty exciting.' Turns out he's also right about another thing–training with actual swords is a transferable skill in the galaxy far, far away. 'Thrones has really helped with that. Same kind of moves, same blocking… doesn't have the same sexy sound though, oh, my god,' McCann joked. 'Lightsabers are lighter, but having said that, the Thrones swords were stunt swords and you've got to pretend that they're three times heavier than they are. But it's all pretend, really. It's all very exciting.' Ahsoka is expected to return to Dinsey+ some time in 2026.
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
AHSOKA Season 2 Star Rory McCann Talks About Playing Baylan Skoll: "I Think It's the Right Decision" — GeekTyrant
Game of Thrones actor Rory McCann is officially stepped into the role of Baylan Skoll for Ahsoka Season 2, a character originally portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson, whose performance left a powerful impression on fans. Speaking for the first time about taking on the role, McCann opened up with a mix of humility, excitement, and reverence for what came before. McCann told ComicBook: "I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline, not just cut it off. We've done it before with other things. I hope the fans embrace it and I'll do my best. 'I'm just starting now, so I'm just trying to be in the right zone for doing it. It's pretty bloody exciting. I mean, I remember being a kid with my dad, going to the first one probably in the late '70s and '80s. Now I'm training with a lightsaber at night, so it's pretty exciting." McCann's casting was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and it feels like a natural move when you consider his previous roles playing gritty, intense, and quietly complex characters. His towering screen presence and gravitas could bring something unique to Baylan, while still honoring what Stevenson began. Series creator Dave Filoni also spoke about the challenge of continuing Baylan's arc after Stevenson's passing, saying it wasn't a decision he made lightly. 'It was a challenge for me to even consider continuing for a while. But I have a great support group with Jon [Favreau] and Rosario [Dawson]. And I found a way, and I had Ray in my head. 'And [I'm] grateful for all those conversations with him about Baylan, so I understood what to do. It just took a while to get there. But I'm very confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction of the character that we've chosen.' Stevenson gave a standout performance in Ahsoka Season 1, crafting a character who was mysterious, powerful, and on the verge of something big. After he passed away, there was a heavy question mark hanging over the future of the show. But now, with McCann wielding the orange-bladed saber, the story moves forward. Star Wars Celebration also teased a few other big reveals: Hayden Christensen is officially returning as Anakin Skywalker in season 2, and Admiral Ackbar will be going toe-to-toe with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Footage shown behind closed doors offered a concept-art sizzle reel paired with voice-over that hinted at massive battles and a galaxy-spanning conflict. There's no official release date for Ahsoka Season 2 yet, but between Christensen's return, Thrawn's rising threat, and Rory McCann training with a lightsaber under the stars, the Force feels strong with this one.
