The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with exciting updates for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, details on the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and much more. To ensure you stay updated, we've gathered all the key highlights from the event right here.
While we're still waiting for footage and a release date for Ahsoka Season 2, the panel provided some tantalizing insights into what fans can expect from the upcoming episodes. Let's dive 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 offered fans their first glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. Following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed the character, McCann has taken on the challenge of bringing Baylan to life.
Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke candidly about the difficulty of moving forward after Stevenson's death, describing him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Stevenson would approve of the new direction and emphasized that Baylan is meant to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way. He also shared his gratitude for having a clear vision for the character thanks to Stevenson's iconic performance and praised McCann for his dedication to honoring Stevenson's legacy.
Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2
Hayden Christensen, who played a crucial role in the first season of Ahsoka, will be reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2. Although specifics about Anakin's involvement were not disclosed, Christensen shared his enthusiasm for returning to the character during the panel.
"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen remarked, praising the innovative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously noted his determination to work with Christensen again, even if it meant "inventing entire dimensions to make it happen."
Christensen also expressed joy in bringing a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era to life in live-action, which he had not previously explored. He appreciated the opportunity to showcase Anakin in a new look, beyond the traditional Jedi robes seen in the prequels.
Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces
While the panel did not feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a sneak peek into Season 2, confirming the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper through a series of images. The panel also revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role in the upcoming story, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fans can also look forward to the appearance of adorable Loth-Kittens and a variety of starfighters, including X-Wings, A-Wings, and some yet-to-be-revealed models.
Although the release date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was mentioned that the writing team is still refining episodes, with production set to begin next week.
**Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka** ------------------------------------------------------In addition to the Season 2 announcements, the panel delved into the inspirations and creative process behind Ahsoka. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, citing Princess Mononoke as a significant influence and the reason behind Ahsoka's distinctive wolf fangs.
Filoni was joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson to discuss the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea for the series originated after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, with Filoni and Favreau exploring the potential of a live-action Ahsoka. Filoni, who co-created Ahsoka with George Lucas, and Favreau agreed to test the waters with an episode in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, featuring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed portrayal in animation.
Dawson recounted the excitement of being chosen for the role, mentioning the online fan campaign that supported her casting. She also shared the emotional moment when she was shown concept art of herself as Ahsoka, which left her speechless and thrilled.
Initially conceived as a one-off appearance, Ahsoka's story quickly expanded beyond that single episode. Favreau highlighted how revisiting characters like Bo-Katan in the Ahsoka episodes shifted the narrative towards continuing the storylines established in animation.
For the team, Ahsoka's series is akin to watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much history and future to explore. Dawson expressed her eagerness to delve deeper into Ahsoka's character, understanding her fears, anxieties, and her reluctance to take on a mentor role.
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Rosario Dawson encapsulated the sentiment perfectly, stating, "Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful. 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 Ahsoka's journey continues to unfold, fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures and deeper exploration of this beloved character's story.
