Rory McCann to Replace Ray Stevenson in ‘Ahsoka’

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(Left) Rory McCann in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 8. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO. (Right) Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Ahsoka,’ exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Preview:

Rory McCann is joining the cast of ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka.’
He’ll inherit the role of Baylan Skoll from the late Ray Stevenson.
Rosario Dawson plays the title role.

Fans of genre actors and anyone who enjoyed the work of charismatic Northern Irish actor Ray Stevenson were stunned at his untimely death last year at the age of 58.

Related Article: ‘Punisher: War Zone’ and ‘Thor’ Actor Ray Stevenson Dies at Age 58

Stevenson, who appeared in movies such as ‘Punisher: War Zone’ and the first three ‘Thor’ outings, had been busy promoting his role as former Jedi Baylan Skoll in ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ including an appearance at Star Wars Celebration in April that year.

His role as Baylan Skoll went on to receive great acclaim, the praise tinged with sadness that he wouldn’t be able to return should ‘Ahsoka’ score a second season.

“Warrior. Outcast. Rebel. Jedi.”

TV-141 SeasonsAugust 22nd, 2023

Executive producer Dave Filoni said this about Stevenson’s role:

“I think he would’ve been over the moon. The big regret here is that he didn’t get to experience that. I’m glad he was at Star Wars Celebration with us, that he got to see the trailer and get a taste of that from the fans. And they’ve been nothing but wonderful about Ray and the character.”

‘Ahsoka’ was indeed renewed for a second batch of episodes and naturally, speculation has been whether Skoll –– who had been set up to play a key role in the story going forward would be re-cast, or if some way would be found to change the plotline.

Now, according to reporter Jeff Sneider, the plan is for someone to step into the role. That someone is ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Rory McCann, who became known for playing the hulking Sandor Clegane (AKA the Hound), one of Westeros’ most lethal fighters.

Though McCann stands three inches taller than Stevenson did, it’s not hard to imagine him playing the role of the conflicted, ambitious warrior.

He joins a cast that includes Rosario Dawson (as the title character of Ahsoka Tano), Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Lars Mikkelsen.

Where else have I seen Rory McCann?

Rory McCann in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 7. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO.

In addition to that ‘Thrones’ role, McCann has been seen in movies such as ‘Gladiator II,’ ‘The Damned,’ ‘Jumanji: The Next Level,’ and ‘Hot Fuzz.’

He’s most recently worked on action thriller ‘Tornado,’ which is now in post-production.

On the small screen, McCann’s appearances include as Megatron in ‘Transformers: Earthspark,’ Duke Vedmire in ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ and The Bird Master in ‘The Irregulars.’

What else is in development for ‘Star Wars’ on big and small screens?

(L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

While ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ movie is flying into first position, we do know that Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is in development from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy but appears to keep hitting stumbling blocks and has been removed from the schedule for now.

And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.

Here’s what Mangold recently said about the movie, currently working titled ‘Dawn of the Jedi’:

“The Star Wars movie would be taking place 25,000 years before any known ‘Star Wars’ movies takes [sic] place. It’s an area and a playground that I’ve always [wanted to explore] and that I was inspired by as a teenager. I’m not that interested in being handcuffed by so much lore at this point that it’s almost immovable, and you can’t please anybody.”

We’d guess that while Filoni (who promoted earlier this year to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out this second season of ‘Ahsoka.’

Here’s what he said about that:

“I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”