The galaxy far, far away just got a little more exciting! According to Variety, Game of Thrones actor Pedro Pascal has nabbed the lead role in The Mandalorian, the new Star Wars TV series set to premiere on Disney’s streaming service, Disney+. This rumor was reported in early October by Making Star Wars, too, and sources close to the project have confirmed this casting to Nerdist. Disney and Lucasfilm have not yet made an announcement.
Jon Favreau is on-deck to write the series, and will serve as executive producer alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Colin Wilson. Filoni, who previously worked on animated projects Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, will direct the first episode. Additional directors include  Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, and Deborah Chow, meaning The Mandalorian will be the first live-action Star Wars property to feature female directors.
Not much is known about The Mandalorian‘s plot just yet. Initial reports confirmed only that it is set after the fall of the Empire and before the First Order took hold of the galaxy. That sets it between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. It will focus on a lone Mandalorian gunfighter “beyond the reaches of the Republic.”
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This news comes the week after it was announced a new Rogue One prequel series starring Diego Luna–and centered on his character, Cassian Andor– will also come to Disney+ sometime in the future.
According to Variety, Pascal’s name has been rumored for the role, but was one of many in consideration. There are also rumors Rocky actor Carl Weathers has joined the cast, but there’s been no official word about any casting for the series. Pascal is best known for his role as Oberyn Martell on HBO’s Game of Thrones, and has also appeared on Narcos and in films like Kingsman: The Golden Circle. He’s set to appear in the Wonder Woman sequel when it’s released in 2020.
Featured Image: HBO
