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The Mandalorian Season 2: James Mangold & Robert Rodriguez Directing Parts
Season 2 of The Mandalorian will reportedly see James Mangold and Robert Rodriguez direct parts. Lucasfilm's first venture into live-action Star Wars TV has proven to be a huge hit. The first season of The Mandalorian began streaming with the launch of Disney+ last year and became instantly popular. The introduction of "The Child" (or Baby Yoda as it has been named online) and a simple story left audiences wanting much more.
Thankfully, a second season of The Mandalorian is already in the works from Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. Production began before the first episode ever aired and Disney has already confirmed an October release for the upcoming episodes. What has yet to be fully unveiled, though, is the director lineup for season 2. Filoni is set to direct at least one episode, and Favreau has teased he wanted to direct in season 2 as well. There have even been rumors that Rick Famuyiwa is involved again. Now, it appears two high profile directors are involved with the new season.
According to a post by Black Series Rebels (via SWNN), James Mangold and Robert Rodriguez have both contributed their directing skills to season 2. However, it does not appear that either of them directed entire episodes, but rather directed sequences for an episode. It is unclear if their sequences will be in the same episode or spread across multiple episodes, but the report does note that other unspecified directors also filmed parts. They also shared that Bryce Dallas Howard is returning to direct an episode.
If this report is accurate, Mangold and Rodriguez are exciting additions to The Mandalorian season 2, even if they don't direct entire episodes. Mangold is fresh off directing Ford v Ferrari to a Best Picture nomination and was previously courted by Lucasfilm to direct a Boba Fett movie. He's now in talks to direct Indiana Jones 5, while Rodriguez most recently directed Alita Battle Angel. Both men also have a history with westerns, a genre The Mandalorian took heavy inspiration from. That could come in hand if they – and others – collaborate to bring one episode together. But, how that potential partnership comes together will be fascinating to see unfold.
With several months left before we'll get to see what Mangold and Rodriguez bring to The Mandalorian, what exactly each of them will tackle is open to speculation. Either would be optimal choices to helm the epic lightsaber fight Giancarlo Esposito recently teased is in season 2. There's also sure to be theories that Mangold's involvement could lead to a Boba Fett cameo, but that is far from confirmed at this point. In any case, the additions of Mangold and Rodriguez give The Mandalorian a pair of accomplished directors to keep the quality of season 2 as high as fans have come to expect.
