Pedro Pascal may technically be the star of the latest unforgettable Star Wars adventure, The Mandalorian and Grogu, but that’s really only part of the picture. That’s because the Mandalorian Din Djarin isn’t just played by a single actor, and in principal photography and character-driven scenes, actor Brendan Wayne’s the man in the suit. In fact, he gets second billing.
If his name sounds familiar, that might be because acting is in his blood. He’s the grandson of iconic Western actor John Wayne, and he’s been in the business for 25 years. He began work as a stunt double for The Mandalorian TV series in 2019 before more fully taking on the mantle for the new movie. As the Mandalorian, Brendan brings the popular bounty hunter to life, acting without a face and instead telling his story through pure physicality. We had the pleasure of chatting with the star about stepping into Mando’s shoes, working opposite Grogu and so much more. Read our full interview with him below.
Sweety High: As someone with a pretty big family legacy in acting, did you always know you were going to be an actor yourself?
Brendan Wayne: I always admired what my grandfather did for a living and especially the meaning he held for so many. He is transcendent.
As for myself, I wanted to have fun telling stories. I probably knew deep down inside that I wanted to be an actor but it wasn’t till I was older that I started to learn the craft and pursue acting. I never felt pressure to be the Duke or anything like that, though. My mother raised me to understand that granddaddy isn’t me and that I’d have to earn anything I pursued.
(Photo credit: Brie Childers)
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SH: What would you say was your first big break?
BW: My wife Sara Arrington submitted me for Angel. I was called directly to producers (legend Joss Whedon) and booked the job. Followed by Cowboys and Aliens later. That movie paved the way for Jon [Favreau] to see me for The Mandalorian.
SH: Have you always been a Star Wars fan?
BW: Ever since I saw New Hope in theaters.
SH: What does it mean to you not just to embody Din Djarin, but also appear in Ahsoka as Lieutenant Lander?
BW: Playing Mando is transformational, not just as a job, but as an actor who is always trying to learn and evolve. This role has taught me how to simply be present. Lt. Lander is cool because it is a nod to the son of a Star Wars legend who has designed and built sets for decades. His son drew the helmet design and [Dave] Filoni saw it and took it, unbeknownst to him. The character is named after his son and the helmet design that Lander created. Very cool.
(Courtesy of Disney/Lucasfilm)
SH: What’s it like to perform a character like this without being their voice?
BW: I do all the lines everyday and don’t think twice about the V.O. I do my job to the best of my ability and I love every minute of it.
SH: How have you learned to use your body as your primary tool of emotion and presence?
BW: I studied Kab.
SH: Did you have to learn Pedro Pascal’s physicality for the character, or have you made it into something your own?
BW: The greatest part of this process has been the autonomy of physicality that came with the part. It has been incredibly freeing.
SH: What was your most memorable moment on the set?
BW: I really have so many depending on the context. The first day shooting will always be a high that you can never replicate. The first time I walked into a full crew setting with life size sets and costumes made for me was incredible.
SH:What’s it like to work opposite the Grogu puppet?
BW: Grogu, or “the kid,” as I like to call him, is so incredibly expressive and capable. His personality comes from the five to six people operating off stage and the singleton who puppets him in close. The kid responds as any actor might, except it’s through multiple people’s ideas of expression.
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SH: What are you most excited for fans to see when the movie releases?
BW: An adventure of the highest order.
SH: Where else can we see your work right now?
BW: I was a series regular on Agents of Shield and proudly appeared in Sons of Anarchy. I recently did a movie called The Vanishing Tour, which has some really fun twists, as well as a dark short called Ab Invito.
SH: Is there anything else we should know about you or The Mandalorian and Grogu?
BW: This movie is for the fans, and I am so proud to be part of another adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
(Courtesy of Disney/Lucasfilm)
For more Star Wars interviews, be sure to click HERE to read our interview with Kyrianna Kratter on her work in Skeleton Crew.
