The Mandalorian Stars Discuss Season 3 Finale at Star Wars Celebration

The Star Wars Celebration event has recently ended, and it was filled with thrilling updates about upcoming projects such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, Andor, The Acolyte, The Bad Batch, and three new Star Wars films. 

A major highlight was the announcement that Dave Filoni would be directing one of the three upcoming movies, which will serve as the culmination of the New Republic era series that includes The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett. 

The third season of The Mandalorian is wrapping up, and it features Bo-Katan taking on the role of a leader to reunite the scattered Mandalorians with the help of the Armorer and Din Djarin.

In the latest installment of The Mandalorian, there are indications of unrest in the New Republic, as former Imperials are now instigating acts of sabotage. 

The situation in the Outer Rim is chaotic, and the absence of support from the New Republic has led to dissatisfaction. 

Moreover, rumors of Moff Gideon’s vanishing have been confirmed. The Mandalorians’ attention on reclaiming their home world has blinded them towards a bigger menace looming over the galaxy.

During the Star Wars Celebration event, Screen Rant had the opportunity to chat with The Mandalorian’s producers and cast members. 

They discussed the upcoming character developments in the show’s third season and provided some insight about what we can expect in the last two episodes. 

Katee Sackhoff shared her thoughts on Bo-Katan’s readiness to be responsible for wielding the Darksaber and leading Mandalore. At the same time, Giancarlo Esposito hinted at Moff Gideon’s scheme to stage a comeback. 

Jon Favreau also shed light on how the various strands of the Star Wars saga will come together, giving credit to Kathleen Kenedy and Filoni for their role in this endeavor.

The Mandalorian Stars Discuss Season 3 Finale at Star Wars Celebration
The Mandalorian

Screenrant asked Jon Favreau about the plan they have for the future of the Star Wars franchise. 

According to Jon Favreau, he and Dave Filoni gave new energy to Star Wars and planned the stories well. 

He mentioned that Kathy Kennedy had coordinated all the upcoming Star Wars films and shows, including The Acolyte and Andor, to ensure consistency across all of them. 

Now, they have to time out how the stories go down to ensure that watching all of them will give a better experience and add greater insight into the Star Wars galaxy.

Next, Screenrant asked Katee Sackhoff about Bo-Katan, and how her current situation and the Mythosaur will affect her character in the future.

I love that you said fairly, because she did win it fairly! Listen, I think what’s amazing about the way that she did win it was that she didn’t even realize that she had. Because it’s not in the forefront of her mind anymore. She got to a point where she didn’t want it anymore.

Every time she’d gone after it, every time she tried to rule everything, it just went wrong. She’d given up, and I think that her ego is finally in a place of humility, and now she’s ready to lead.

Katee Sackhoff

Screenrant then turned to Giancarlo Esposito and asked him about the constant threat of the Imperials this season and how his character fits into the plot.

Well, the Imperials want something. Of course, they want to try to be together, but they don’t all agree. Moff Gideon has an idea that they need to be armed up and ready, because there are insurgents out there, and they are coming. He is a leader of sorts that has to try to figure [things] out.

You’ve seen him be strong-armed before, but I think you’ll have an opportunity to see him be Ddemocratic, and to ask questions like, “Well, why not?” He’s powerful in that way, and he sways people and controls the chaos in a very brilliant way.

Giancarlo Esposito

This was followed by an insightful discussion with various other cast members of The Mandalorian about the nitty-gritties of season 2 and 3. Read the conversation below:

Screenrant: What does it mean to Bo-Katan that she may finally take back Mandalore?

Katee Sackhoff: I think that she is understanding the weight and the pressure of bringing her people back together. And I think, for the first time, she’s looking to somebody else for guidance. She has the support of the Armorer and her faith, which is very inspiring.

Screen Rant: We’ve seen the continued creeping threat of the Imperials this season. How does your character fit into that unease?

Giancarlo Esposito: Well, the Imperials want something. Of course, they want to try to be together, but they don’t all agree. Moff Gideon has an idea that they need to be armed up and ready, because there are insurgents out there, and they are coming. He is a leader of sorts that has to try to figure [things] out.

You’ve seen him be strong-armed before, but I think you’ll have an opportunity to see him be Democratic, and to ask questions like, “Well, why not?” He’s powerful in that way, and he sways people and controls the chaos in a very brilliant way.

Screenrant: How is Moff Gideon handling the rise of the New Republic?

Giancarlo Esposito: Not well. He’s spent his time shuttered away; a lot of time to think and figure out a new way to go about things. We know he escapes, so it gives us a chance to rebuild and start over.

Screen Rant: Congratulations on The Mandalorian season 3. It is amazing. Why did the Armorer support Bo-Katan removing her helmet and being of both worlds?

Emily Swallow: Why not? if you mean as opposed to Din removing his his helmet, I think there’s big differences in the backstory for them removing their helmets, and what they stand to gain by removing their helmets. A lot of people were so mad! They saw it as, “Oh, you let Bo take off her helmet, but you wouldn’t let Mando take off his helmet.” First of all, Mando was the one who decided that he wanted to go to the Mines of Mandalore. I never told him to do that; he wanted to go on that field trip.

But also, I think that the Armorer, thank goodness, is somebody who’s thinking can evolve. She’s someone who is open to new ideas, and I think that she has come to see along the way that as we’ve been divided for too long. As she says to Bo, all Mandalorians need to work together. She’s seen that Bo has walked both worlds, and Bo has been willing to keep her helmet on while she’s been in this particular covert. She’s been willing to adhere to those rules and those guidelines, but she’s also been accepted by the other Mandalorians without her helmet.

She sees her as someone who can perhaps bring the two of them together. Whether or not she can remains to be seen, because we don’t know if she’ll be accepted by those helmet-less Mandalorians anymore. But Bo is a natural leader; Bo wants to lead. We don’t really know that Mando wants to be lead.

Screen Rant: Congratulations on directing this season. How does it feel to have the Mandalorians call your planet home?

Carl Weathers: I guess it’s a part of the evolution of Greef Karga that I dig. Going from king out the bounty hunters to being in the bounty hunters’ guild to becoming High Magistrate Greef Karga is kind of cool. Seeing that character growing, and seeing the stories grow as a result, is really pleasing for an actor. Of course, as a director, having all these great stories to tell just feels good.

What’s been your favorite part of your character’s growth over the course of each season?

Carl Weathers: Wow, I just think there’s something about Greef Karga that’s being explored. His ability [to be what] I call a benevolent bureaucrat, and have sort of this omniscient personality. When the pirates come in, he ain’t having that! Seeing him go from a guy who was a little bit of a Machiavellian character, getting Din Djarin to go find Grogu, to now running Nevarro? That’s a step up.

Screen Rant: Congratulations on season 3 of The Mandalorian and the EP job. Can you talk to me about Din’s decision to reveal that Bo-Katan is the rightful owner of the Darksaber, and whether that was calculated or genuine?

Rick Famuyiwa: I think, for Din, everything comes from a place of being genuine. I think it’s what ultimately led him on this journey with the child; he was a bounty hunter, but there was something about being true to protecting this kid that spoke to him.

Having that saber is important, but it certainly wasn’t a part of his journey. It was all about the kid. His understanding of ritual and tradition and what it means, and obviously knowing that Bo did vanquish him… The sword is in the right place, and the saber is in the right place, according to Din.

What was going through Din’s head when the Armorer walked up with the helmetless Bo-Katan?

Rick Famuyiwa: Din’s journey has taken him from [being someone] where his creed and dogma was very specific and very strict to, as he’s taken on the responsibility of the child, understanding that there might be ways that you can express it without necessarily been 100% about the creed.

I think it’s clear from the Armorer’s ideas and Bo’s experience in episode 2, where she sees what she thinks is of Mythosaur, that things are changing and there are many interpretations of what that is.

I think that if it had been episode 1, season 1 and Din Djarin saw that? It would probably be a different reaction than in episode 5, season 3. He’s come a long way since then.

For the fans who might need a little brushing up of the events of season 3 so far, here you go.

In season 3, Din Djarin is now reunited with Grogu. 

Grogu is a young member of Yoda’s species whom Din Djarin rescued and later handed over to Luke Skywalker in the second season’s finale. 

The New Republic is facing difficulties leading the galaxy towards a brighter future, and amid all this, the Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their journey together. 

As they traverse their path, Din Djarin encounters old friends and new foes, adding to the excitement of their adventure.

The season 3 finale of The Mandalorian premieres on Disney Plus on April 19.

Watch The Mandalorian on:

About The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian is an American space western TV series on Disney+, created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. The show aired its first episode on November 12, 2019, and is two seasons in with an upcoming Season 3.

The show follows the story of one of the Mandalorians from the famed Star Wars Universe, Din Djarin. After the fall of the Galactic Empire, he is hired to retrieve Grogu, known as “The Child,” from the Impreial forces, but ends up going on the run to protect him from Moff Gideon, a former Imperial Officer.

The show stars Pedro Pascal in the lead along with actors Carl Weathers, Gioncarlo Esposito, Gina Carano, Amid Abtahi and Katee Sackhoff.

Epic Dope Staff

Epic Dope Staff

Our talented team of Freelance writers - Always on the lookout - pour their energies into a wide range of topics bringing to our audience what they crave - fun up-to-date news, reviews, fan theories and much much more.

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