Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Mandalorian season 2, episode 6, "Chapter 14: The Tragedy."
Robert Rodriguez reveals his involvement with The Mandalorian season 2 came as a last-minute replacement for another director. The second season of The Mandalorian is already nearing the end, and some viewers would say it's been even better than what came before. Season two has included some big-time directors joining the series, with creator Jon Favreau directing the first episode, Peyton Reed doing the second, and Bryce Dallas Howard, Carl Weathers, and Dave Filoni the next few.
Another new episode of The Mandalorian debuted on Disney+ today, and the credits on season 2, episode 6 - titled "The Tragedy" - confirmed that Robert Rodriguez directed it. Rodriguez has a diverse filmography with family films like Spy Kids, blockbusters like Alita: Battle Angel, and action films like Machete. His involvement with The Mandalorian season 2 was confirmed ahead of the episode airing, with Rodriguez confirming it with a photo of he and Baby Yoda, now known as Grogu. The reaction to his episode proves he's a natural fit for Star Wars, but fans might be surprised to learn he wasn't originally supposed to be involved in season 2.
During a new interview with GamesRadar to discuss his upcoming Netflix movie We Can Be Heroes, Rodriguez discussed his excitement for joining the Star Wars universe. However, he also revealed that his directing an episode wasn't something he or Favreau planned on. Instead, Rodriguez mentioned that Favreau called him up to be a last-minute replacement following the apparent exit of the original director episode 6.
I’m friends with Jon Favreau and he needed a last-minute replacement for a director and so I said, ‘Sure, I'll come play in the Star Wars universe!’ What a dream. And it's fulfilled all my... it’s beyond my expectations, I mean, it was SO fun, you can’t imagine what it's like to walk on a set that has the classic look of The Empire Strikes Back feel and look. It’s right after that era, right after the Return of the Jedi. It's that era. So you really feel like you just walked into your childhood.
Rodriguez didn't reveal who left the director's chair open for him to take. He might know who was originally going to direct The Mandalorian season 2, episode 6, or he might not feel like it's his place to reveal such information. When Rodriguez's name was initially linked to The Mandalorian, it did come with a rumor that James Mangold was also involved. However, Mangold has denied that he was ever going to direct an episode or even discussed the possibility, so it probably isn't him. Favreau knows many big names in Hollywood, so there are countless possibilities for who he originally had in mind for this episode.
Even though Rodriguez joined The Mandalorian late in the process, he still managed to deliver an excellent episode. That said, the short time frame he may have had to work on it could be one reason why it is the shortest episode of season 2. Now that he is firmly part of the Star Wars universe and proved just how well he works in it, there's always the chance he'll get to do more. Favreau and Rodriguez are good friends, with Rodriguez even appearing on The Chef Show with Favreau, and his new movie We Can Be Heroes also includes Pedro Pascal in a prominent role. Of course, Rodriguez could also potentially be a great choice to direct the rumored Boba Fett series, especially after handling him so well in his The Mandalorian season 2 episode.
Source: GamesRadar