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The launch of the Disney+ streaming service is right around the corner, which means it won't be long until the world sees the premiere of the first live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. From the early footage shown via trailers, we've learned some very interesting things. I mean, besides the fact that each shot looks downright breathtaking.
While these trailers may, at first sight, look like straight eye-candy, one can perhaps unexpectedly glean a lot about the world of The Mandalorian by taking a closer look at some of the scenes fans have already been shown. Here's some of the key details we noticed while watching, along with other facts we know about the Disney+ series. Get pumped!
The Mandalorian's Armor Can Deflect Blaster Fire
Usually, someone taking a blaster shot in Star Wars means problems. Stormtroopers have proven time and again that their penetrable armor is no match for blaster firepower, but the armor Pedro Pascal's Mandalorian hero wears is seen to deflect the energy bolts as if they're nothing at all. The helmeted character also takes a shot from some type of bladed staff and shakes that off pretty easily as well, so this armor is no joke.
Nor should it be, as Mandalore is known for its insanely durable armor. The materials used there can allow some pieces to last for centuries, and as seen in The Mandalorian trailer, that long-lasting nature is due to a resilience to damage. Basically, whoever wishes to take on this bounty hunter better come equipped with the heaviest-duty fire power, or they don't stand a chance of even slowing him down.
Freezing Enemies In Carbonite Is More Common Than We Thought
Carbonite has a very famous moment in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, but outside of the time it was used to freeze Han Solo, we don't hear a lot about it in the lore. In The Mandalorian trailer, thouse, a good deal of people are shown to be frozen in carbonite, and they also look to be in the custody of the show's central bounty hunter.
Freezing a lot of bounties in carbonite is pretty smart, presumably allowing the bounty hunters to take on sidebar missions while returning other criminals. Plus, I'd imagine a lot of these targets are unsavory individuals, so the effects of hibernation sickness are likely of little consequence to the people requesting their capture. That said, keeping so many enemies on board a ship where they could all potentially be unfrozen at once seems incredibly risky, and an easy way to turn the bounty hunter's life upside down.
Super Battle Droids Will Be Involved
One of the more surprising reveals during The Mandalorian's second trailer is when people are seen running from a group of Super Battle Droids. For those that don't remember, these were the class of droids from the Clone Wars era that were used by the Separatists. These beefy robots were the heavy duty units of the army; they're strong and effective fighters, though not outwardly capable of developing battle strategies on their own.
So, what are these droids doing in The Mandalorian, which is set years after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi? We don't know for sure, though it's possible this could be a flashback to a Clone Wars-era attack relating to a character in the series; it could possibly happen on Mandalore, which saw its share of battles in that era despite attempts to remain neutral. It's also possible there are some Super Battle Droids kicking around in the present, a lot of things can remain unnoticed on the galaxy's edge.
The Empire Lives...Sort Of
Though the Empire was believed to be defeated after the battle of Endor, it looks like factions of the Empire managed to stay intact in other places of the galaxy. This is evidenced by Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon, who still appears to command some sort of army even after the Empire's destruction. If he can maintain some degree of power, then is the Empire really dead?
It's a question I believe The Mandalorian will answer to some degree, though I'm not sure in which way. We do know the Disney+ show will touch on the origins of the First Order, which is in part inspired by the Empire's regime. This is a very interesting time for the Empire, and with some big reveals potentially on the way in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, one has to wonder what other things we could discover about the Empire during this era of fluctuation.
The Mandalorian Has A Lot Of Gadgets
We've only seen a few scenes of The Mandalorian's titular badass in action, but we've already seen a good deal of gadgets being put to use. He makes great use of his whipcord, as well as that jet pack feature. He doesn't seem to have a rocket on his back, and judging on how that worked out for Boba Fett, I'd say that's a positive.
Advanced gadgetry is another fairly common trait of Mandalorian armor, as many in the planet pursue work that involves fighting. Basically, battling one of them can be a real pain in the butt, and everywhere else, because their equipment is so vastly superior to many other ones used in the galaxy. It does makes one wonder why the Mandalorians aren't running the galaxy in Star Wars? That could also be a question we'll get an answer to!
The Mandalorian Has A Lot In Common With Boba Fett
By now, a ton of people have noticed that the lone gunfighter of The Mandalorian shares similarities with the iconic Boba Fett. The armor, profession, and general demeanor have led many to believe that Pedro Pascal's character actually is the famous bounty hunter of the old trilogy, though that theory has been refuted multiple times.
Still, there's has to be some connection between these two. The gunfighter has to be at least generally aware of the non-Mandalorian who was known as the world's best bounty hunter before getting gobbled up by a Sarlacc on Tatooine. Surely other characters will bring it up, since the resemblance between the helmets is just too uncanny. Even if he doesn't make an appearance, it sounds crazy to think Boba Fett's existence won't impact this series in some way.
First Reactions To The Mandalorian Are In, And They're Incredible
The Mandalorian premieres on Disney+ Tuesday, November 12. You can check it out with a 7-day free trial by using this link. Stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest on what's happening with the series, and for all things happening in the world of television and movies as we close out 2019.
