The cast of 'The Mandalorian' on working with Grogu (aka Baby Yoda)
The cast and crew of The Mandalorian on Disney+ talk to Yahoo Entertainment about what it's like working with Grogu (aka Baby Yoda).
Video Transcript
- Species age differently. Perhaps it could live many centuries.
KEVIN POLOWY: The relationship between Din and Grogu is so freaking adorable. I'm not telling you anything you don't know. But be honest, is there ever a part of you that is just like, I'm so sick and tired of this Baby Yoda hoopla. The show is called "The Mandalorian." It's not called "Mandalorian and Grogu."
PEDRO PASCAL: No, I don't get tired of it, actually. I think it helps a lot. I would say that I certainly do not feel a lack of love for Mando, and I think that if anything, it's probably enhanced by the relationship that we have and the love that we all have for Grogu.
It was an ace in the hole that they had for the first season, it continues to hold us. And I think, ultimately, Jon and Dave so know what they're doing because their hearts lead the way, as far as their love for "Star Wars." So no, you can't take Grogu away from me.
KEVIN POLOWY: You guys spoke recently about the back and forth you initially had on the design of Grogu. Going into Season 3, was this always part of the plan?
DAVE FILONI: Yeah. I mean, I would say absolutely. Jon and I kind of work in very much of a flow. I think it's kind of more untraditional for TV. It's more like making movies, it broadly, broadly termed. And so the whole reason to do the story is between Mando and Grogu. That's the backbone of it. That's the family element, the father and the son. And so that's the core of anything.
So everything else, the adventure, the universe, the galaxy, that's there, but without that heart, you don't really have anything. And so he was always integral, and that's why he took so much time to make sure it was going to be right and talking to Jon and wanting to understand what he was getting out of the image of it. And it's like when we saw the images, Jon was like, that's it.
And it was apparent to everybody involved, they're like, wow, that is it. Now, I really get it.
JON FAVREAU: It also gives us room to have the character grow and change. Because that's also part of "Star Wars" is how the characters learn from one another, how do they get training, how do they change over time, and how do they start shouldering the responsibilities of being the next generation? So of course, it's fun with a character like him because he ages so slowly. So we have a lot of time. We have a lot of runway here.
But you could see the relationship, hopefully, changing over time between that character and the Mandalorian.
KEVIN POLOWY: Is it hard to resist the urge to cuddle with Baby Yoda when he's on set?
ROSARIO DAWSON: There is no resisting that urge. Yeah.
KEVIN POLOWY: He's just being cuddled left and right.
ROSARIO DAWSON: Yeah, because he's just so tiny. Even when you realize how small he, is you're still really shocked by just how tiny he is. But he feels so big and so powerful.
NATASHA LIU BORDIZZO: That's what I sat on the panel. I looked over, and I was like, oh, he's tiny. I don't know why.
KEVIN POLOWY: They're always shorter in person than you think they.
ROSARIO DAWSON: Right.
NATASHA LIU BORDIZZO: Every actor, including Grogu.
CARL WEATHERS: People probably don't know this, the first time I was in a scene with Grogu, I realized one thing, because I've been in this business as an actor almost 50 years now, professional actor, every scene I could get to be in with Grogu, that's what I want to do. And you know why? You're watching Grogu, and if I love grow Grogu and he loves me, you're going to watch me.
Selfish, man. Selfish.
Come on, Baby, do the magic hand thing.
