Disney+ is a big hit, and seems like a no-brainer and institution now, but perhaps it seemed more of a risk back in the fall of 2019, before it launched. It probably didn’t matter either way, but then its hope seemed pin to its flagship show, “The Mandalorian,” a new “Star Wars” spin-off set after the events of “Return Of The Jedi,” and somewhat unlike anything we’ve seen in the “Star War” universe (though it’s aesthetic grittiness was seen in “Rogue One“). “The Mandalorian,” from writer/producer/director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man“) and Dave Filoni, one of the key creator/director/writer/ animating supervisors on “Star Wars: Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels” (also basically the top creative chief at Lucasfilm over all things animation who also helped create all the Mandalorian lore on ‘Clone Wars’), “The Mandalorian” controlled the discourse last fall, introduced us to a new lone gunslinger character and of course, the culture zeitgeist-dominating character Baby Yoda (not his actual name).
“The Mandalorian” season two isn’t schedule until the fall of 2020, but given the delaying events of coronavirus on the film and TV industry, it’s a good bet, the show will be delayed until 2021. So, in the interim, Disney has wisely created a stop-gap to hold over audiences clamoring for more in “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian,” upcoming eight-episode documentary series which premieres on Monday, May 4.
READ MORE: ‘The Mandalorian’: Jon Favreau Has Been Reportedly Writing Season 3 “For A While” Already
The series pulls back the curtain of the show and reveals the innovative technology that allowed the show to shoot fast and in-studios rather than traveling all over the world to far off locations. It’s called Stagecraft technology (see more below) and it essentially creates virtual environments that can be lit digitally within and seamlessly incorporated with actors, smaller sets, and more traditional production design.
Clearly the show is more than that though as Favreau and Filoni talk to all the filmmakers on the series and the actors and really explain their intentions and hopes in creating this new “Star Wars” series.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian,” Executive Producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series which quickly became a pop culture phenomenon after premiering in November. Debuting on the day that a worldwide community of fans celebrate all-things-Star Wars — Monday, May 4 — “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian” is an eight-episode documentary series that pulls back the curtain on the first season of “The Mandalorian.” Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau.
New episodes of “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian” will stream every Friday on Disney+ starting May 4th, May The Fourth Day. Watch the new trailer and ILMVFX virtual production Stagecraft video below,