Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: Key Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with exciting teases for Season 2, a first glimpse of Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories, and much more. To ensure you stay updated, we're here to break down all the highlights in one comprehensive place.

Although we're still awaiting footage and a release date for Season 2 of Ahsoka, the panel gave us a tantalizing preview of what's to come. Let's dive straight into the details.

First Look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Revealed at Star Wars Celebration

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration unveiled our first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those unfamiliar, McCann is taking over the role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan.

Stevenson passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan was a standout for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the challenge of moving forward after Ray, emphasizing that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would be pleased with the direction they've chosen for the character.

Filoni sees Baylan as Ahsoka's counterpart in every way and is grateful for the "blueprint" Stevenson provided for the character. He also shared his appreciation for meeting and casting McCann, noting that McCann's focus was on honoring Ray's legacy.

Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2

After playing a pivotal role in the first season of Ahsoka, it was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2. While details about Anakin's involvement in the new episodes remain scarce, Christensen attended the panel to discuss his return.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen remarked. "The way they conceived how to do it was brilliant in getting to explore the World Between Worlds. I thought it was all really exciting."

For Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni, working with Christensen again was a significant milestone. He humorously mentioned needing to "invent entire dimensions" to make it happen. Christensen also enjoyed bringing to life a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, which he hadn't portrayed before.

"All of this had been presented well in the animated world, but I was really excited to do that in live action," Christensen said. "As much as I love the traditional Jedi robes I wore during the prequels, it was exciting to get to see Anakin with a new look."

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

While the panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a glimpse into Season 2, confirming the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The trailer, composed of still images, also teased the involvement of Admiral Ackbar, who will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Additionally, fans can look forward to seeing adorable Loth-Kittens and, according to Filoni, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."

Although the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was revealed that the team is currently re-writing episodes as production is set to begin next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

In addition to the Season 2 announcements, the panel provided deeper insights into Ahsoka's creation, inspirations, and more from the actors and creatives involved. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, citing Princess Mononoke as his favorite film and the inspiration behind Ahsoka's distinctive wolf fangs.

Joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson on stage, they discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau brainstormed their next project. Filoni's passion for Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led them to explore bringing her into live-action.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed performance in the animated series. Dawson shared her excitement upon learning she would play the character, especially after a significant online campaign supported her casting. Initially, her appearance was intended as a one-off, but the overwhelming fan response paved the way for Ahsoka's continued journey.

"Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful," Dawson said. "It was just so magnificent on so many levels. To see the fan reaction that allowed this story to continue was a dream come true."

As the series evolved, it incorporated revisited characters like Bo-Katan, blending the established storylines from animation with new live-action developments. For the team, Ahsoka's narrative mirrors the experience of watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much history and future to explore.

Rosario Dawson remains eager to delve deeper into Ahsoka's story, understanding her character's complexities and growth. "I did not know where this character was going in live action," Dawson said. "I could understand her fear, anxiety, and stress and desire to help from afar. She wasn't willing to take over the mentor role herself, so it became a wonderful thing that I got to explore."

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