Ahsoka Panel Highlights: All Star Wars Celebration Announcements

Apr 22,25

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates and teases for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, stories from the making of the series, and much more. To ensure you don't miss out on any of the latest details, we're here to provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of everything revealed.

While we haven't yet seen footage of Season 2 or received a release date, we did get a glimpse into what fans can expect in the upcoming episodes. So, let's dive right in and explore the latest developments.

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

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration gave us 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 passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed the character.

Stevenson's untimely death occurred just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, but his portrayal of Baylan was a highlight for many fans. Series creator Dave Filoni discussed the challenge of moving forward after Ray's passing, emphasizing that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Despite the difficulty, Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would be pleased with the direction they've chosen for the character.

Filoni highlighted that Baylan is meant to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's thankful for the "blueprint" Stevenson left behind. He also shared his appreciation for meeting and casting McCann, noting that McCann's primary focus was to honor Ray's legacy.

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

After playing a significant 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 sparse, Christensen attended the panel and shared his excitement about returning to the character.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. He expressed his enthusiasm for bringing to life a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, which he hadn't previously portrayed in live action.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously remarked on his desire to work with Christensen again, stating he had to "invent entire dimensions to make it happen." Christensen also enjoyed the opportunity to showcase Anakin with a new look, distinct from the traditional Jedi robes he wore in the prequels.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

The Ahsoka panel didn't feature a traditional trailer but did provide a glimpse into Season 2, confirming the return of beloved characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The trailer consisted of static images, offering fans a taste of what's to come.

It was also revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role in the upcoming story, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Additionally, fans can look forward to adorable Loth-Kittens and, as Filoni teased, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."

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

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Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

Alongside the big reveals for Season 2, the panel offered insights into Ahsoka's inspirations and the creative process behind the series. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, citing Princess Mononoke as his favorite film and the inspiration behind Ahsoka's wolf fang cheek markings.

Filoni was joined on stage by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, who discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, with Filoni and Favreau brainstorming what to explore next. Filoni's deep connection to Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led to the decision to bring her into live-action.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to play Ahsoka following Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed animated portrayal. Dawson shared her excitement upon learning she would play the character, recalling how she muted herself during a video call to contain her joy when shown the concept art.

Initially, Ahsoka's live-action appearance was intended as a one-off, but fan reactions paved the way for a more extensive exploration of her story. As the series progressed, incorporating revisited characters like Bo-Katan, it became clear that Ahsoka's journey would extend far beyond a single episode.

Jon Favreau noted that the series felt like watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of Ahsoka's journey and building on the established storylines from the animated series. Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about exploring Ahsoka's character further, understanding her fears and desires in a new light.

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"Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful," Dawson said, reflecting on the overwhelming fan support that allowed Ahsoka's story to continue. The journey from a single episode to a full series has been a dream come true for both the creators and the fans.

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