Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian” began with a fascinating concept that intrigued “Star Wars” fans a little tired of the same old story: a familiar armor, but ultimately new character living on the fringes of the “Star Wars” galaxy after the fall of the Empire post-“Return Of The Jedi.” Yes, the character concept was similar to Boba Fett—another Mandalorian character—and the unnamed Mando warrior was a mercenary bounty hunter like just like Fett. But as the show unfolded, it became clear what was really being explored and fleshed out was not so much the legacy of Boba Fett, but instead the Mandalorian myth, legend, and warrior culture that was created by Dave Filoni, the animated showrunner, writer, and director of the animated shows “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels.” Was it any wonder then when writer/director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”)—who voiced a famous Mandalorian villain on ‘Clone Wars’—pitched a ‘Mandalorian’ show his co-creator and creative partner on the show soon became Filoni. Add a little Baby Yoda and the rest is history.
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“The Mandalorian” became a splash hit in the fall of 2019, propping up Disney+ just as it launched, boosting subscribers, receiving great praise, and then earning 15 surprise Emmy nominations to boot this year, including Outstanding Drama Series—a feat that stunned television insiders. “The Mandalorian” also began with an immediately intriguing concept: what if a ruthless bounty hunter who lived by the strict merciless code of mercenaries betrayed everything he stood for because of a child? The problem, if there was one, was “The Mandalorian” didn’t really explore that notion much, the idea of a warrior and cold-blooded killer finding his humanity, instead favoring a “Bonanza”-like concept of Mando and Baby Yoda encountering new towns and guest stars each week in their furthering adventures. Still, it was more than enough for audiences.
But the ideas seeded in ‘Mandalorian’ season one—using elements of the animated shows and bringing them to life in live-action—seem to be bearing major fruit in season two. Another artifact from ‘Clone Wars’ & ‘Rebels,’ the Mandalorian Dark Saber—their culture’s version of a lightsaber—was teased at the end of season one and looks to be a major plot point in season two. Additionally, several reports and rumors point to the inaugural live-action inclusion of many ‘Clone Wars’ and ‘Rebels’ characters including Commander Rex (Temuera Morrison), ex-Jedi Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson), and Sabine Wren (Morrison is also rumored to be appearing as Boba Fett himself, but that’s not confirmed).
Unfortunately, none of these characters are teased in the new trailer for “The Mandalorian” season two. Also, back for more this season are Pedro Pascal as the title character, the Baby Yoda puppet, of course, Carl Weathers as Greef Karga, Gina Carano as ex-Storm shock trooper Cara Dune, and Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, a former officer of the Galactic Empire’s secret police who is now in possession of the dark saber. Additional characters on the season also briefly teased are played by Michael Biehn, Timothy Olyphant, and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze, yet another animated character come to life and the former ruler of Mandalore and leader of a Mandalorian group called the Nite Owls.
Season two consists of eight episodes and new directors on the series this year include Jon Favreau himself who didn’t actually direct in season one, Peyton Reed, Robert Rodriguez, and Carl Weathers. Already looking like it’s expanding and jumping off the beloved animated shows, Favreau has teased a greater development of storyline beyond just the Mandalorian himself (maybe this is where all these animated-to-live-action characters come in). “As we introduce other characters, there are opportunities to follow different storylines,” Favreau says. “The world was really captivated by ‘Game of Thrones’ and how that evolved as the characters followed different storylines — that’s very appealing to me as an audience member.”
“The Mandalorian” season two—which finished right before the pandemic hit in March, lucky them— airs on Disney+ on October 30. Watch the new trailer below and try and spot all the new guest stars, cameos, and more.