The nature ofPedro Pascal’s role asDin DjarininThe Mandalorianhas long since been something of a hot topic amongStar Warsfans. Now, one year ahead of the TV show’s cinematic debut inThe Mandalorian & Grogumovie, it’s yet again arisen. Because Din Djarin rarely ever removes his helmet, audiences have always wondered just how often Pascal himself is actually in theMandalorian beskar, and why it seems that he isn’t in it as much as expected.
The discussion was initiated byemkenobion Twitter/X, who reposted a GIF of Pascal working with director Bryce Dallas Howard behind the scenes ofThe Mandalorianseason 2 and asked if this was the last time Pascal was physically on set as Din Djarin. The ensuing discussion in the replies has since suggested a multitude of other things about Pascal’s role, most notably that “it really does just seem like a check for him.” It’s also written that Pascal doesn’t seem to appreciate his fellowDin Djarin actorsenough.
Given the attention this particular discussion is getting, naturally, I thought it fit to run a fact check on all of this, particularly because it involves some pretty heavy allegations regarding Pascal’s involvement inThe Mandalorianon the whole. In gathering firsthand information from over the years, I was able to answer the questions about not only when Pascal is in the suit and why he’s stepped away from doing more physically, but also the level of appreciation for his fellow Din Djarin actors.
Pedro Pascal’s Role Has Been Mostly Voiceover Since The Beginning
Jon Favreau Fought For Pascal’s Casting Despite Scheduling Conflicts
Firstly, it’s important to establish that the nature of Pascal’s role being mostly voiceover is nothing new, asthis was an arrangement and collaboration that was established duringThe Mandalorianseason 1. This was confirmed by Pascal when speaking toVarietyin 2023, when he stated that there was “limited time on set for me in the first season,” which led to “a collaborative process of creating and establishing a physical presence that was based on what they needed for the character.”
This limited time on set Pascal is describing is due to two different projects that took place duringThe Mandalorianseason 1’s production schedule: filming forWonder Woman 1984, in which Pascal played Max Lord, and Pascal’s Broadway run inKing Lear. In 2020,Varietyrevealed thatThe Mandaloriancreator JonFavreau was still determined to cast Pascal specifically in the role despite these conflicts, and that Pascal was very trusting in the team to hand over his authorship of the physical role and make things work.
Pedro Pascal: If there were more than just a couple of pages of a one-on-one scene, I did feel uneasy about not, in some instances, being able to totally author that. Butit was so easy in such a sort of practical and unexciting way for it to be up to [Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder]. When you’re dealing with a franchise as large as this, you are such a passenger to however they’re going to carve it out. It’s just so specific. It’s ‘Star Wars.'
Pascal isn’t the only one who’s been very transparent about his voiceover role in season 1.Star Warshas also done the same, to the extent ofshowing Pascal’s recording process for the voice in the behind-the-scenes specialDisney Gallery: The Mandalorianseason 1, episode 3 “Cast.“While Pascal would ultimately have some time physically on set of season 1,The Book of Boba Fettand season 3 were nothing more than a return to form for the actor in terms of heavily relying on voiceover.
Pascal’s Physical Role In The Mandalorian Season 2 Was His Choice
This Experience Explains Why He’s Returned To Mostly Voiceover
It’s fairly well-known now that Pascal played a much bigger role physically inThe Mandalorianseason 2, though many people may not know that this was Pascal’s own choice. In his conversation withVarietyin 2023,Pascal said he chose to portray Din Djarin physically in season 2 “because I wanted to, and I wanted to sort of see how far little could go. And it was really cool.” On the other hand, however, Pascal insisted that it was “very hard.”
Pedro Pascal: Then stepping into it for the majority of season 2, because I wanted to, and I wanted to sort of see how far little could go. And it was really cool, but very hard, andvery physically demanding in a way that, number one, the show needs to get shot, and there are so many departments and elements that go into creating the visual experience of that show, and so many bodies. It didn’t seem true to be concerned with Din Djarin’s face, and being really economical if it was gonna get done, then for it to have the most amount of impact.
This was just before Pascal revealed that he pushed for the removal of a helmet-less scene inThe Mandalorianseason 2 in order to hold off until the perfect moment, which we now know was Din Djarin unmasking inside the Imperial refinery on Morak - and he certainly made the right call. In terms of the physical difficulties, however, Pascal also opened up more about this in 2020 when speaking withThe Darkest Timeline with Ken Jeong & Joel McHale.
Pedro Pascal: To be honest, and without giving any of it away, there was more that I did in season 2, and to basically be able to know that it’s a gesture of the head, a posture, your imagination can go totally… you can get right into believing what you’re doing and believing the world that you’re in and serious kid fantasy playtime kind of thing.Then there’s ‘I’m pretty sure I need an MRI.’ You can’t really see. Sometimes you can’t breathe. If they wanna catch your dialogue, it’s like a big mic pack that’s pushed across the back of your skull inside the thing, and when you take it on and off about seventy times in one day, there’s like the constant sort of rubbed-raw—there’s a physical aspect of it. It’s fascinating to be under the kind of physical stress, which I think for so many actors, that’s part of it. But for it to go into such a complete version of that sort of experience, it was challenging.
It’s clear to see how this physical experience wasn’t the most ideal for Pascal. It’s even different from what his fellow Din Djarin actors would go through, as they don’t require the mic pack to pick up their dialogue, given the fact it’s dubbed over later by Pascal himself.The actor even said “Thank God there’s other guys in the suit” in this very same conversation, which proves how much Pascal really does value getting assistance with this role physically.
Does Pascal Acknowledge The Other Mandalorian Actors Enough?
He’s Never Failed To Give Them Proper Credit
Speaking of the"other guys in the suit,” there’s the matter of the other Din Djarin actors, namely Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder. There have also been other individuals who have stepped into the suit from time to time, including Barry Lowin, but Wayne and Crowder are the main two who step in for Pascal when he’s not physically in the armor - and have been doing so ever since season 1.Pascal has always held both men in high regard.
Why Three Actors Play The Mandalorian (Not Just Pedro Pascal)
While Pedro Pascal stars in The Mandalorian as its titular character, Din Djarin, there are at least 2 other actors who also play him. Here’s why.
DuringDisney Gallery: The Mandalorianseason 1, episode 3 “Cast,” Pascal referred to himself as “third fiddle” to both Wayne and Crowder. He doubled down on this during an interview withEntertainment WeeklyatStar WarsCelebration in 2022: “It’s been a collaborative process from the beginning. I was given the opportunity to establish physical specificity in some ways at the start of the show, butI’d be lying if I said I wasn’t observing and picking up from what they’re doing and handing over so much of it as well. They do the heavy lifting.”
It was at this event that Pascal shared the stage with both Wayne and Crowder, and just a year later inThe Mandalorianseason 3,both these actors' names were even added to the main part of the TV show’s ending credits sequence, giving them a better spotlight. It’s impossible to say whether Pascal specifically contributed to that decision, but clearly, it’s something he would have pushed for. This appreciation isn’t one-sided, either.
In March 2024,ScreenRantspoke exclusively to Wayne about his role inThe Mandalorian, including his relationship with Pascal.Wayne had nothing but kind things to say about Pascal, which makes it very clear that there’s no animosity between any of them. In fact, Wayne spoke directly on this point with us, detailing how Pascal encourages him to promote the work he does as Din Djarin inThe Mandalorian.
Brendan Wayne: Anything I ever said that someone was like, “You’re throwing shade,” they’re like, “Why don’t you bring up Pedro?” Because, first of all, he knows and I know how we feel about each other. Second of all, we also don’t… he doesn’t need [my promo].He’s like, “Dude, go ahead, you need to promote your business. I’m in a different place.“He’s at the Oscars, I’m preparing an awards banquet for seniors and juniors at high school.He doesn’t want [constant promo]! He’s like, “Dude, get your stuff up.” It’s great![…] There’s no shade. It’s silly. It’s silliness!
When it comes to Crowder, there’s also no shortage of appreciation from Pascal. In the above interview withEntertainment Weekly, Pascal described how much he adores Crowder’s work as a stuntman, and the relationship they have established even in the years precedingThe Mandalorian, as the pair first met while working on 2017’sKingsman: The Golden Circle. I think it’s safe to say thatPascal shows his appreciation for these two men way more than any other actor typically would.
It’s Time To Stop Discrediting Pascal’s Contributions To This Role
Voice Roles Are Important, Too - & Pascal Does Much More Behind The Scenes
The lesson to be learned from this discussion is that it’s time to stop minimizing Pascal’s due credit for his role inThe Mandalorian, whether he’s only doing the voice or doing the physical acting. In a franchise likeStar Warsespecially, where it’s universally accepted that James Earl Jones is Darth Vader despite only doing the voice, it’s surprising to see so many fans complain about Pascal’s lack of physical presence in the suit. Clearly, the arrangement they have always had is what works best.
In a franchise like Star Wars especially, where it’s universally accepted that James Earl Jones is Darth Vader despite only doing the voice, it’s surprising to see so many fans complain about Pascal’s lack of physical presence in the suit.
There’s so much more that Pascal contributes to behind the scenes, too. Favreau revealed toVarietyin 2020 that Pascal is essential to helping them determine Din Djarin’s character and story by saying, “He’s tracking the arc of that relationship [with Grogu].His insight has made us rethink moments over the course of the show.” The aforementioned helmet-less scene that Pascal opted out of was no doubt a part of this statement, but that’s just a small part of what Pascal has contributed.
Will Pedro Pascal Be In The Mandalorian & Grogu Movie? Here’s Everything We Know About His Star Wars Role
Star Wars has announced their new The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, starring Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin. Here’s everything we know about Pascal’s role.
InDisney Gallery: The Mandalorian’s “Cast” episode, Pascal discusses the recording process, and how much rewriting they do on the spot there. It’s more than just reading lines over footage;Pascal still involves himself as much as possible, and even from the beginning, he established physical authorshipthat has since evolved into a uniquely collaborative character. Pascal’s role inThe Mandalorianwill always matter far more than people give him credit for, and he will always be the Mandalorian.
