While the Star Wars films were historically tied to the pre-summer season with May premieres, the sequel trilogy and Disney+'s The Mandalorian have shifted things so that the franchise is now far more of a winter treat. (I suppose "treat" isn't the optimal word there, depending on one's tastes.) Not only do December releases let Disney rake tons of money via Baby Yoda-themed presents, but it also makes themed Christmas decoration extravaganzas that much more timely. Which I'm sure is the point, right?
Check out the video below, which showcases a badass Christmas-light show set to the tune of The Mandalorian's instantly recognizable theme song. Considering how amped some fans get just hearing the song during the TV show, it might be challenging to make it through this entire video without seeing any easter-egged concept art. But do it anyway. This is the way.
I know musical Christmas light shows aren't everybody's bag – or Santa's toy sack, as it were - and even I'm not a sucker for every single instance of it. But there's something about composer Ludwig Göransson's celebrated theme that just meshes up so well with the light display. It seems a bit reductive to just say "Pretty colors and pretty sounds!" but that's pretty much all that bounces around in my brain while watching.
Now, even the biggest Star Wars fans out there might be a little wary about this kind of neighborhood spectacle being too much of a distraction. But that's not at all the case. The homeowner knowledgeably tacked an FAQ onto the video to let everyone know that he's not a villain like Moff Gideon, and that his Mandalorian display is not as disruptive to others as some might expect. (Perhaps if there was a giant darksaber set up in the middle...)
For one, The Mandalorian's theme isn't actually played on site; rather, the looped broadcast can only be heard through an FM transmitter from 5:00-10:00 p.m. each night, so those driving by or walking by won't actually hear anything if their radios are off. As well, this house doesn't have any neighbors directly across the street, so no one has to worry about these lights blasting through their windows every evening. What's more, none of the neighbors that are in the immediate area take issue with the annual light show – it's been running for six years, though obviously with different music used previously – and most of them have voiced their love for it. Plus, this isn't in the middle of a huge city, so not even the traffic is an issue.
When asked about fears over Disney bringing a lawsuit over The Mandalorian's theme, the YouTuber said this:
No. YouTube instantly recognized that the song was owned by someone other than me and made sure I couldn't monetize it. Any ads that run on it are paying them, not me. Hopefully they aren't so dense as to sue me for the free publicity.
With The Mandalorian Season 2 now wrapped, having delivered one of the biggest Star Wars surprises in years, this Christmas light show might have to get us through the rest of the winter. At least 2021 will bring a lot more action and excitement to Disney+, which is set to debut the first big spinoff The Book of Boba Fett next December. While waiting to see more, let us know your favorite Christmas light displays from over the years, and head to our Fall 2020 TV premiere schedule and our Winter and Spring 2021 TV schedule to see what new and returning shows are popping up soon.
