40 Startling Facts From Behind The Scenes Of The Mandalorian

Featuring adrenaline-pumping action sequences, an engrossing story and a host of alien worlds, The Mandalorian is a thrilling sci-fi romp which has wowed fans and critics alike. And creating the series – set in the Star Wars universe five years after the events of Return of the Jedi – was a truly staggering undertaking, filled with thousands of insane details and birthing countless wild anecdotes. From eye-wateringly expensive puppets to hidden celeb cameos, here are 40 mind-blowing tidbits from a galaxy far, far away.

40. Enter Stagecraft left

You’ve probably heard of green screen, and how many movies and TV shows use it to transport their actors to another place. But The Mandalorian is not one of them. No, the series has utilized a new, innovative filming technique known as Stagecraft or The Volume. This method involves a huge LED screen which shows all the scenery that had previously been added in post-production. So, Pedro Pascal, Werner Herzog et al could actually see the universe they were in as they performed. Cool!

39. Helmet high jinks

Game of Thrones and Narcos star Pedro Pascal was understandably thrilled to land the lead role of Din Djarin aka “Mando” in The Mandalorian. But did you know that the Chilean-American thespian actually got to try on the helmet in his first meeting? Yes, Pascal told the website Collider that donning the headgear was when it really sank in that he had become a part of the Star Wars universe. Growing up as a fan who played with the toys, the actor revealed it was “a super-pinch-me moment.”

38. Celeb stormtroopers

For many viewers, Baby Yoda is the most adorable being on The Mandalorian. But did you know that it was famous actors underneath the stormtrooper outfits who thumped the little alien in Season One’s climactic episode? Well, you do now, because we’re informing you that it was comedic actors Adam Pally and Jason Sudeikis who threw their fists at Grogu when he bit them. Thankfully, droid IG-11 sorted the pair out, and saved the day.

37. Oh Baby, you’re expensive

Viewers of The Mandalorian are likely under no illusions that the series took a fair amount of cash to make. But did you know that the chief puppet of Baby Yoda cost $5 million big ones? Amusingly, Pally revealed to Entertainment Weekly magazine that during the shooting of the scene where his stormtrooper thumps Baby Yoda, Jon Favreau reminded him so. He recalled, “[Favreau] said, ‘I just want you to know that this is the [main] Yoda and it costs, like, $5 million.’”