WARNING: The following articles contains major SPOILERS for The Mandalorian, so proceed with caution if you are not caught up. I have spoken!
I think I speak for the majority of Star Wars fans when I say that I could talk about the Emmy-winning series starring Pedro Pascal as a bounty hunter from a galaxy far, far away for hours. However, that time estimate only counts for discussions over what we have already seen on the Disney+ exclusive. Covering everything I have been wondering about The Mandalorian Season 3 could last until its premiere.
Needless to say, the date on which creator Jon Favreau’s immensely popular TV show is set to return is just one of many things I have been scratching my helmet over lately. Considering how things in Season 2 left off, with “Mando” unwittingly becoming the Darksaber’s sole owner (much to Bo-Katan Kryze’s chagrin) by defeating Moff Gideon, before Luke Skywalker accepts Grogu (better known as “Baby Yoda”) as his apprentice, there is plenty to be curious about over what we can expect to see next season. Not to mention, what goes on behind the scenes with the series has often proved to be just as interesting.
While I do not necessarily mind waiting for answers, I cannot help but admit that it can be fun to speculate over them. I will surely be doing some of that while I ponder the following eight questions I have about the upcoming third season of The Mandalorian, starting with one that has become a more frequent inquiry in the world of entertainment than usual as of recently.
When Will The Mandalorian Season 3 Be Released?
Unlike a few other shows on Disney+ (and pretty much everywhere else), the pandemic did not affect the already completed filming schedule nor the projected October 2020 release date of The Mandalorian’s second season. Plus, the it's apparently not putting a damper on production of Season 3, which is set to begin on April 5, 2021. Despite this, however, we still do not know when the season premiere will drop on Disney+, but based on the shooting schedule, an early 2022 release is likely.
When Will We See A Trailer For The Mandalorian Season 3?
As for when we could expect our first sneak peek at the continuing adventures of The Mandalorian, I would also bet on at least early 2022 or even late 2021. They've got to film stuff first.
What Directors Will Be Hired For Season 3?
Speaking of filming, The Mandalorian has employed some real superstars to run things behind the camera such as Bryce Dallas Howard, who received much acclaim for her two episodes, and Oscar-winner Taika Waititi, who also voiced assassin droid IG-11 in the Season 1 finale he directed. While no names have yet been confirmed to direct any of the next set of episodes, I would not be surprised if executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni helmed another chapter or two, as well as Dope mastermind Rick Famuyiwa, for what would be his fourth time. Maybe Last Jedi director Rian Johnson could fulfill his interest in doing an episode before he begins his proposed Star Wars trilogy, or perhaps they could give Episode IX’s almost-director Colin Trevorrow a shot with one, too?
How Might Season 3 Connect With Disney+’s Upcoming Spin-off Series?
Speaking of additional Star Wars projects, Disney announced a ton of new shows set in the same galaxy coming to Disney+, a few of which (namely The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Rangers of the New Republic) have already confirmed their canonical connections to The Mandalorian. This leads me to wonder how, or even if, Season 3 could be a jumping off point for these other spin-offs. We might not see Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi make a cameo (unless as a Force ghost, perhaps), but seeing Lando Calrissian (also getting his own series) is not indisputable. Plus, some mention of the characters said to appear in The Bad Batch is not out of the question, either, considering Season 2’s incorporation of Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Bo-Katan Kryze.
Will Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Or Timothy Olyphant's Cobb Vanth Return?
Speaking of Bo-Katan Kryze, the Season 2 finale left the fellow Mandalorian (Katee Sackhoff, reprising a role she originally voiced for animation) in a previously mentioned sticky situation regarding the Darksaber, so we could infer that Season 3 will resolve that conflict if only the former Battlestar Galactica actress’ return was confirmed. So far, the only Mandalorian cast member confirmed to appear next season is Pedro Pascal, leaving recurring roles like Carl Weathers’ Greef Karga and Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon or fan-favorite one-timers like Timothy Olyphant as Cobb Vanth up in the air. Of course, the one character fans are most hopeful to see again is not played by a human.
Will We See Baby Yoda In The Mandalorian Season 3?
Outside of what it left open-ended, the Season 2 finale seemed to resolve the main story of Mando’s relationship with “The Child,” whom he would come to know as Grogu before leaving him in the care of Luke Skywalker. However, the popularity and cuteness of Baby Yoda is too astronomical to assume that is the last we will see of him on The Mandalorian, but if the kid is absent in Season 3, I imagine he could eventually appear in another Star Wars project. Plus, the show will hopefully still be worth watching, especially for other familiar faces that could show up.
What Star Wars Character Cameos Should We Expect Next?
The Mandalorian pretty much stayed on its own path for Season 1 before incorporating established characters from the extended universe (Cobb Vanth, Ahsoka Tano) and cinematic franchise (Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker) in Season 2. This rightfully earned “fan service” led to some of the series’ greatest moments so far and makes me excited to see who else may pop up, such as Sam Witwer bringing Galen “Starkiller” Marek from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game into live action, a de-aged Harrison Ford as Han Solo one more time (one can dream), or even Mando encountering Ewoks on Endor. There is one person whom we know for sure will not be returning, however.
How Will Season 3 Address Gina Carano’s Exit?
After gaining a strong following among Star Wars fans on The Mandalorian, Gina Carano’s popularity began to suffer due to her controversial social media activity, which eventually led Lucasfilm to part ways with the former MMA star altogether in February 2021. Yet, Cara Dune not had only a larger presence in Season 2, but a particularly prominent role in finale, which makes one wonder how this exit will affect the story going forward. Will the Season 3 premiere jump ahead a few months and briefly mention her tragic X-Wing accident or will it pick up right where it left off with a new actress in the role?
Fans and media outlets have already voiced their idea for who could take over as The Mandalorian’s new Cara Dune, and if firing Gina Carano is proof of anything, it is that Lucasfilm is willing to listen to suggestions. Of course, we will be sure to keep you updated since we learn “the way” things will go with that endeavor, but until then, how do you believe Season 3 should handle its former cast member’s exit?
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