It's not a stretch to suggest that The Mandalorian is the most popular, and most important, project in the galaxy far, far away. The hit series took the world by storm when it debuted on Disney+ in 2019, introducing everyone to Din Djarin and the shocking key player Grogu. Since then, the show and its affiliated stories have carried both Star Wars and Disney+, and things have only just begun.
The first real look at The Mandalorian any fan received was during Star Wars Celebration 2019 in Chicago, when executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni ventured out to Hoth to discuss the show. Only those in attendance were able to an extended scene and teaser, but the story was completely absent from the marketing. That trend remained until the first episode launched when it became clear that the secret of Grogu was what kept everyone in the dark.
Going into Season 3 and beyond, that will no longer be the case. The main storyline has fully been established, as have most of the major characters in the MandoVerse. There's certainly more room for stunning appearances like the return of Luke Skywalker, but at this point, everyone is aware of the direction The Mandalorian and its spin-off shows are taking.
As such, the creators of the series finally have the opportunity to speak more freely about everything. Due to COVID-19, it's been a while since Star Wars fans have been able to catch up with the masterminds behind the MandoVerse, but that all changes in May during Celebration. Among the festivities planned is a panel that will unlock secrets of the past and hints at what's to come in the future.
The Mandalorian Comes to Celebration
The official Star Wars website announced that executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni will take the Celebration stage on Saturday, May 28, to discuss The Mandalorian. The panel, called "Mando+: A Conversation with Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni," will feature special guests while taking a look back at what's been done and a peek at what's in store for the future as the series enters its third season.
What to Expect from Mando+
Given the title of the panel, it should go without saying that fans are in store for an all-encompassing look at the MandoVerse. The Mandalorian will naturally be front and center, as two of the three projects released in the narrative thus far have been seasons of the show, but The Book of Boba Fett should also be getting some love as well.
As the description of the panel suggests, a good chunk of the discussion brought by Favreau and Filoni will be spent looking back at the first installments of the storyline. It's at this point where the duo will get to speak about how Grogu came to be, the lore behind the "Way of the Mandalore," and incorporating the Darksaber into the series. Giancarlo Esposito and Emily Swallow, who will be at Celebration, are strong candidates for special guests to appear during this part of the panel.
It wouldn't be a MandoVerse panel if there wasn't talk about the impressive cast of iconic characters brought in. The first mention of Luke Skywalker will undoubtedly be met with thunderous applause, and the return of Boba Fett, alongside the live-action debuts of Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan Kryze will also be major touching points. Some, if not all, of the stars behind those roles may also join the series creators to discuss the special inclusions of their characters.
Once this ground has been covered, the time will come for a look at the present and future. On a more immediate note, The Mandalorian Season 3 recently wrapped shooting and will certainly be featured during the event. While major elements of the storyline will be kept under wraps, a small teaser or sizzle reel for audience members seems like the kind of treat Favreau and Filoni would have up their sleeves.
Beyond that, there are the stories that are set to follow. Ahsoka is reportedly set to begin filming in April, and that's something Filoni will definitely touch on. It could be during this segment of the panel that the actors for Ezra Bridger and Thrawn are officially revealed, as well as the formal announcement that Hayden Christensen will be reprising the role of Anakin Skywalker.
The last thing to expect will be the first word on new shows. A major panel featuring the other Disney+ projects (and potentially theatrical films) is scheduled for the first day of the convention, but it wouldn't be surprising if Lucasfilm let Favreau and Filoni save some announcements for their own panel. An update on Rangers of the New Republic may finally be given, and the tales to come in the MandoVerse beyond Season 3 and Ahsoka will be shared with the world at last.
"Mando+: A Conversation with Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni" will be held at Star Wars Celebration on Saturday, May 28.
STAR WARS Writer
