Even with months to go until his live-action(ish) Lion King hits the big-screen, Jon Favreau is getting things underway on The Mandalorian – his live-action Star Wars TV series sure to hook viewers into Disney’s upcoming streaming service. Production is already underway, kicking off shortly after the show’s title and synopsis were confirmed – and Favreau had a special visitor on set the other day.
George Lucas stopped by (on Favreau’s birthday, no less) to see how things were getting on, and the pair had a snap on a stage that looks like it could be some kind of cantina. While the Star Wars sequels have moved ahead at Disney without Lucas’ input, we don’t know yet whether the saga’s creator just popped in to hand Favreau a bottle of Skywalker Vineyards wine, or if he whispered a few ideas and pointers while he was there.
Favreau is serving as executive producer and writer on The Mandalorian, with the likes of Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Dave Filoni confirmed to direct episodes. The show is set between the original and sequel trilogies, and follows a Mandalorian warrior similar to Boba and Jango Fett. The synopsis reads: “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerged in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic….”
With Disney’s streaming service set to launch late next year, expect The Mandalorian to drop in late 2019, or possibly early 2020.
Planning a Star Wars re-watch? Read our guide to the saga's Perfect Viewing Order.
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