Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon will have a larger role in The Mandalorian season 2. Gideon was one of the many new faces Star Wars fans met during the first season of the hit Disney+ TV show, appearing in the final two episodes. It’s revealed that Gideon, leader of his own Imperial remnant after the Galactic Civil War, was the one interested in obtaining Baby Yoda (for unknown purposes) and tasked The Client and Dr. Pershing with finding the infant. Gideon, of course, came to blows with The Mandalorian over the fate of The Child and was defeated in the season finale.
While Gideon lost his fight against The Mandalorian, he wasn’t killed. A cliffhanger in that final episode depicted Gideon using the famous Darksaber to escape his fallen TIE fighter, setting the stage for an escalating confrontation between the two rivals. Many viewers expected Gideon would have much more to do in The Mandalorian season 2, and now that’s been confirmed.
During the 2020 TCA Better Call Saul panel (hat tip /Film), Esposito discussed his future in the Star Wars galaxy, revealing that Gideon isn’t going away any time soon:
Again, considering how The Mandalorian season 1 ended, this was to be expected. But it’s nevertheless encouraging to hear it from Esposito himself. The actor portrayed one of television’s most iconic antagonists in Breaking Bad’s Gus Fring (a role he reprises on Better Call Saul), so it should be fun to see how he adds to the legacy of memorable Star Wars villains. The brief tastes audiences got in The Mandalorian season 1 hinted at a formidable adversary for Din Djarin, someone who was cunning and ruthless. Esposito, as talented he is, made the most of his screen time and firmly established Gideon as an intimidating presence. It would have been a waste if he was either killed at the end of season 1 or had a minimal role in season 2. It’ll be interesting to watch how the character is fleshed out.
“It’s growing. Yes, I do. I most certainly do.”
It seems highly likely Gideon’s possession of the Darksaber will be a key plot point in season 2. Some fans have speculated Din could be the weapon’s rightful heir, which would add another intriguing layer to his ongoing confrontation with Gideon. Additionally, fans will probably learn more about Gideon’s plans for Baby Yoda, one of the lingering season 1 mysteries still left unresolved. Whatever Jon Favreau and company have in store for the villain, they can rest easy knowing one of the best actors in the business is handling the material - and hopefully (if the story allows it), Gideon will be around for a long time.
More: Star Wars Characters Who Can Appear In The Mandalorian Season 2
The Mandalorian season 2 debuts this fall on Disney+.
Source: /Film
