The Mandalorian and Grogu: Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver on the latest Star Wars film
Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver in The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Few franchises have had the cultural impact of since George Lucas first created the space-fantasy saga nearly 50 years ago.
Since the original 1977 film premiered, the franchise has expanded to include a prequel trilogy, a sequel trilogy, and several spin-off TV series and films.
In 2019, Jon Favreau created the live-action for Disney+, starring Pedro Pascal as the title character. After three seasons comes the latest film in the franchise and a spin-off of the TV series.
The film sees Pascal reprise his role as Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin, alongside Sigourney Weaver as high-ranking military official Ward, and Jeremy Allen White, who voices Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt.
Set following the fall of the Galactic Empire, Djarin and his adopted son and apprentice Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, are enlisted by the New Republic to rescue Rotta the Hutt in exchange for information on a target.
Pascal, 51, who has also starred in major franchises including and , says turning the story into a film felt like a natural progression. “ always felt big screen to me,” he says. “What Jon Favreau has done as a storyteller and film director throughout his career is absolutely incredible, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been secretly hoping we would make a movie one day. It just made sense.”
He adds the creation of the Mandalorian is a collaborative effort: “This is such a unique experience because not only does it take an enormous village to create a production with incredible sets and characters, but it also takes a village to play Mando.”
Pascal, who was born in 1975, grew up watching films. “If I tried to process what this would mean to the kid who dreamed about the Star Wars galaxy when I was young, my head would explode,” he reflects. “The gratitude I feel for Jon for bringing me into this family is beyond words. Everyone works so hard on this. People put their entire hearts into making it as good and as fun as it can be. When audiences love it, it’s because everyone here gave everything.”
Pascal also discusses the father–son relationship at the heart of the film. “Their story started with Mando as a very reluctant protector for this mysterious child named Grogu. Through their incredible adventures, they have become deeply bonded to one another. Mando has now placed his focus on protecting his son and preparing him for the future, and in the film, that dynamic has a lot of surprising and emotional shifts.”
He also expresses enthusiasm about Weaver joining the franchise. “I am the number-one Sigourney Weaver fan. Better than being in for me is being in a movie with Sigourney Weaver. She’s just the biggest badass. She’s transcendent. It just doesn’t get better.”
Weaver, 76, known for her roles in the series and James Cameron’s says she was delighted to join the production. “I never expected to be in a movie, but I’m delighted, and I am in love with Grogu,” she says. “I’m afraid I have to let everybody know that he’s pretty special and so is the Mandalorian, and actually so is Jon Favreau. He runs a great set… a happy set.” She adds that stepping into the galaxy far, far away felt different from her previous sci-fi work:
“I would say the universe is a much darker place than but they’re both about something bigger than the creatures. I just feel very fortunate.”
The Golden Globe winner recalls seeing the original 1977 film and describes it as “super cool to have stories set in space where anything is possible”.
Speaking about joining the production, she says: “It’s a well-oiled machine, and the crew and a lot of the cast have been together for seven years. That’s a great treat for someone to come in from the outside and be a member of this club. I felt very welcomed.”
She describes her character Ward as an X-wing fighter pilot from the era of the Rebellion: “She’s spent her whole life fighting for the Republic and against the Empire and everything it represents. She takes her job very seriously.”
“It’s very exciting for me. I was pinching myself that I got to be on set, and I love my character. I love being a part of this family. It feels very special to me.”
Jon Favreau says the film is designed as a standalone story intended to welcome new audiences.
“ is set in the era between and the sequel trilogy,” he explains. “It follows the Mandalorian and his adopted son and apprentice Grogu as they venture through the galaxy seeking out bounties on behalf of the New Republic.
“The Mandalorian finds himself more of a good guy in this world. He’s being more selective about the jobs he takes and the situations he puts his young ward into.
“Grogu has also levelled up a bit,” Favreau adds. “We know he previously trained with Luke Skywalker, so he has a little Jedi influence, plus he’s an apprentice Mandalorian, which makes him very unique.”
Favreau links the story’s themes to parenthood. “As a dad, it taps into the sense of the hero as a protector. You’re trying to create a safe world that you’re leaving behind for the next generation. The Mandalorian is teaching Grogu how to survive in a dangerous world,” he says. “He won’t always be there to protect him, so he has to prepare him to make sure he’s going to be okay.”
- is in cinemas on Friday May 22
