The Mandalorian and Grogu Reveals Practical Set Tricks

Jon Favreau’s feature-length commentary for The Mandalorian and Grogu explains how filmmakers built its AT-AT interior and staged stunts. The Star Wars movie is available on digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Disney+.

The cold breath was real. Filmmakers chilled the Phostera set overnight so the actors’ breath would show during the opening sequence. Favreau previously used the same technique when Tony Stark wakes up in the cave in Iron Man.

Inside the AT-AT

The film ventures beyond an AT-AT’s helm in live action for the first time. Filmmakers used references from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to build the walker’s interior as a practical set on a stage.

Inside sits an INT-4 Interceptor, based on a vintage Kenner “mini-rig” toy design never seen in the Original Trilogy. Production designer Doug Chiang and his art department adapted the craft for the movie. Favreau wanted Easter eggs drawn from toys as well as the films.

“I think they did a really good job making it look like it fits in-universe,” Favreau says.

Another practical trick hides behind a burst of fire during the Mandalorian’s reveal. Suit performer Brendan Wayne walks down the hallway before stunt double Lateef Crowder takes over at the flames. Both performers share Din Djarin with star Pedro Pascal.

The team filmed its set on a Los Angeles backlot, while snowy exterior imagery came from Mount Waddington, north of Vancouver. Industrial Light & Magic integrated those mountain images into the film.

A chef’s sandwich and Scorsese’s fry cook

Roy Choi served as the movie’s culinary creative consultant. He helped craft a sandwich incorporating little taiyaki molds. Its inspirations included shawarma, a Cubano, and a New York street hot dog vendor.

Martin Scorsese played Hugo Durant, the Ardennian fry cook serving that sandwich. Much of his dialogue came from improvisation, with Scorsese putting the written scene into his own words. Favreau went back and forth with him during recording sessions, and the animators drew inspiration from his performance.

The Salt Bar’s caged creatures gave Legacy Effects interns a creative assignment: each contributed a practical design for the cages. The moment took inspiration from the tea shop scene in Hard Boiled. Favreau welcomed the chance for those employees to express themselves creatively.

Shirley Henderson voices all four Anzellan droidsmiths. She previously performed Babu Frik in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Favreau also invited that film’s director, J.J. Abrams, to the set. He wanted Abrams’ blessing on how the movie handled the species.

Source: Star Wars