Disney Channel's Star Wars Resistance season 2 will feature Kylo Ren, but he won't be voiced by Adam Driver. The role of Kylo originated with Driver in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He later reprised the role in the divisive sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He will return one last time in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which will see J.J. Abrams return to close out the trilogy and bring a definitive end to the Skywalker saga.
Star Wars Resistance debuted in late 2018. Inspired more by Japanese anime than previous Star Wars animated output, the show followed Kazuda Xiono, a human pilot, as he is recruited by Poe Dameron. The first season was comprised of 21 thrilling episodes, largely taking place during the events of The Force Awakens. The series was quickly renewed. It was announced, however, that season 2 would be the last. Though the series mostly followed brand-new characters, BB-8 appeared regularly. Captain Phasma also featured in multiple episodes. Both Phasma and Dameron were voiced by their big-screen portrayers, Gwendoline Christie and Oscar Isaac, respectively.
As revealed in the trailer, the villainous Kylo Ren will also be introduced in season 2. Based on the official press release, however, Driver won't be following in Christie and Isaac's footsteps and reprising the role on the small screen. Instead, the character will be voiced by Matthew Wood. The voice actor previously voiced Kylo Ren in fellow Disney animated series, Lego Star Wars: All-Stars. Wood has also voiced numerous notable characters from the Star Wars universe, including General Grievous in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
The voice cast will also include Joe Manganiello, who is best known for his roles in True Blood and the Magic Mike movies. He also appeared briefly as Slade Wilson aka. Deathstroke in a Justice League post-credits scene. For a time, it looked as though he would reprise the role in a planned Batman film but such plans never came to fruition. The character will instead now feature in Titans season 2. Manganiello will voice Ax Tagrin. He will be joined by Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer) as Norath Kev and Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) as the Aeosian Queen. Season 2 will largely be set during the events of The Last Jedi.
Fans will no doubt be disappointed not to hear Driver's distinctive voice coming from the character, especially as the show will no doubt continue to flesh out untapped areas of Kylo's journey. Given his self-parodying performance on SNL, he's likely not adverse to reprising the role on the small-screen. Instead, his status as one of the most sought-after (and hardest-working) actors in Hollywood presumably made it near impossible to fit into his schedule. Regardless, with Wood's requisite experience within the universe, the role in Star Wars Resistance season 2 will clearly be in safe hands.
Star Wars Resistance season 2 will premiere Sunday, October 6 on Disney Channel and DisneyNow.
Source: Lucasfilm
