Ray Stevenson played a major role in Ahsoka Season 1 as Baylan Skoll, a not-so-typical Sith who wanted to destroy the galaxy and rebuild a new one. However, with the actor’s untimely death in May 2023, ahead of the first season’s release in August of the same year, there are questions about how the former Jedi Knight and Jedi General’s story will continue. But after Lucasfilm revealed that Ahsoka Season 2 is now in the works and the show’s creator, Dave Filoni, shared a concept art for the new season, different theories emerged, suggesting that Baylan could return.
In January, after the Star Wars website revealed that Ashoka Season 2 is in development, along with the news that The Mandalorian & Grogu film is in the works, Lucasfilm released a new sketch from Filoni. The key art in question features Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren atop The Statue of Father on Peridea, where Baylan last stood in the previous season finale. As the sketch also features the words “The story continues,” it quickly leads to several theories surrounding Baylan’s future.
The image seems to suggest that the second season will center on Ahsoka and Sabine following Baylan after the latter looks for the great power that he feels on the planet of Peridea. Hence, this also implies that his quest will greatly influence what will happen in the show’s return, and his character may make a major comeback.
The phrase “The story continues” also seems to deem that Ahsoka Season 2 may continue where the first season left off. If that happens, Baylan’s search for the Mortis gods, the three powerful entities introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, may be a major part of the second installment.
How can Baylan Skoll return to Ahsoka Season 2?
If Lucasfilm chooses to continue Baylan’s journey in Ahsoka Season 2, it looks like Lucasfilm will be left with no choice but to recast. Sure, the late actor is the only one who’s seen to portray the role of Baylan perfectly. However, several other actors can also embody this character and display the same performance as Stevenson did.
One name that emerges is Liev Schreiber. Known for his role as Cotton Weary in the Scream franchise and Ray Donovan in a series of the same name, the actor-director is no stranger to playing a villain. He was Sabretooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and with his involvement in this superhero franchise, it may be easier for him to take on the role of Baylan.
Another one is Gerard Butler. The 54-year-old has starred in several action films, prominently in Zack Snyder’s 300. As a seasoned actor who excels at fighting scenes, he may be the best candidate for a new Baylan in Ahsoka Season 2.
Russell Crowe is also seen as a great contender to be the next Baylan. With this incredible acting performance, not to mention a number of successful movies to his name, like Gladiator and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, he’s a perfect fit to join the Star Wars universe.
However, as Lucasfilm has already refused the idea of recasting, what will happen to Baylan’s journey in Ahsoka Season 2 remains to be seen. Anyhow, if fans will have their way, they surely want to see more of Baylan in the series’ return.
