Giancarlo Esposito shares what it feels like wielding the Darksaber in The Mandalorian. Playing the narrative's presumptive villain, Moff Gideon, the actor's introduction in the Disney+ series came in the final two episodes of its first season. Despite this, fans can look forward to seeing more of him when the show's sophomore year debuts later this year.
Created by Jon Favreau, the first live-action TV series from the space opera takes place five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. It introduces fans to its titular character - lone gunslinger Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) who becomes the caretaker of the 50-year-old Force-sensitive infant from the same species as Jedi Master Yoda, dubbed Baby Yoda. Season 1 ended with Din and his surrogate son escaping Gideon, but before the installment fully closed, it revealed that the former Imperial governor is in possession of the famed Darksaber.
With a more prominent role in The Mandalorian season 2, Esposito is nothing but excited to be more involved in the Star Wars live-action series. Speaking with Coming Soon in light of the upcoming release of Disney+ movie, Stargirl, the actor was asked about whether or not he's ready to wielding the unique weapon and what his experience with it thus far.
“I am. I really am. I want to say I’ve destroyed quite a few of them and the prop guys go, ‘Wow, you go all in,’
This season is going to be really great. This is the ultimate space western that’s so connected to things that we don’t know and don’t see... 'The Mandalorian’ is a series so steeped in myth and the hero’s journey to overcome anything, to be in service… I love this show. I really do. It’s visionary in so many ways and I am happy to be a part of it.”
For those who are uninitiated about the Darksaber, the black-blade lightsaber was initially owned by the first Mandalorian Jedi, Tarre Vizsla. The wielder of the Darksaber supposedly becomes the leader of Mandalore. It was first introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars with a subsequent appearance in Star Wars Rebels. The Darksaber has a long history of being passed from one person to another, but the last time it was seen was it Rebels when Sabine Wren handed it off to Bo Katan Kryze. One of the biggest mysteries coming to The Mandalorian season 2 is how Gideon got a hold of the weapon. The question has spawned countless theories online. However, Between Bo Katan as its known last wielder and Gideon's stint as Imperial Security Bureau officer during The Purge, it's possible that he took the weapon around this time and claimed it himself.
Whether or not The Mandalorian season 2 will answer this question remains to be seen. Favreau and his writers could be saving the reveal much later on, which makes sense if they want to keep people's interest going with regard to the mystery of the Darksaber. However, what can be taken away from Esposito's recent comments is that fans will see Gideon use it prominently in the upcoming narrative - and that's something to be very excited about for Star Wars fans.
Source: Coming Soon