Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin will be bringingStar Warsback to the movie theaters in next year’sThe Mandalorian and Grogu, and one officially released photo from the set of this production reveals that the franchise has learned one crucial lesson about their star. Pascal’s level of involvement inThe Mandalorianhas always, unfortunately, been a hot topic, due to the character’s strict helmet rule that keeps his face concealed for the vast majority of the TV show.
In fact, Pascal’s face has only been seen three times over the course ofThe Mandalorian’s 24 episodesand the additional three episodes in which Din Djarin appears in the spin-off seriesThe Book of Boba Fett. With his most recent helmet-less appearance taking place in 2020’sThe Mandalorianseason 2 finale, we are quickly approaching five years without seeing our leading hero’s face again, which has been a topic of contention for nearly half a decade.
WithThe Mandalorianseason 2 introducing Din Djarin to Mandalorians such asBo-Katan Kryze, all of whom remove their helmets at their own leisure, many audiences foresaw that Din would follow their lead and start to remove his own helmet more, especially after he revealed his face to Grogu.The Book of Boba FettandThe Mandalorianseason 3, however, doubled down on Din’s helmet rule. This sudden pivot was a shock thatThe Mandalorian and Grogumay now be endeavoring to fix.
Din Djarin’s Helmet-Less Arc Pivoted Because Of His Character’s Silhouette
The Creators Wanted To Preserve His Iconic Look
To understand the pivot in Din Djarin’s helmet-less arc, it’s first important to understand why the helmet rule exists in the first place. I had the privilege of askingThe Mandaloriancreator and executive producer Jon Favreau this question myself at Star Wars Celebration Japan, to which Favreau responded, in summary, thathe aimed to create and maintain an iconic silhouette with a helmet that was reminiscent of characters such as Boba Fett and Darth Vader.
Favreau ultimately succeeded in this endeavor, as Din Djarin’s helmet is now one ofStar Wars’most recognizable, and most popular, silhouettes. The cost of this success, however, was the desire to maintain it, hence whythey couldn’t commit to having a version of Din Djarin who casually removes his helmet. Some accredited this pivot to Pedro Pascal’s busy schedule, which was split at the time with HBO Max’sThe Last of Us, though that had little to nothing to do with it.
In reality,Star Warssimply aimed to maintain Din Djarin’s mysterious yet recognizable silhouette. By reducing the significance of the helmet to Din’s character,some of the magic of that silhouette would be lost. Take both Boba Fett and Darth Vader, for instance; Boba’s appeal in the originalStar Warstrilogy largely came from the fact that so little was actually known about him and what he looked like, and Vader also had a similar type of mysterious appeal. Maintaining that feel for Din Djarin became the priority.
This Pivot Was Made Before Pedro Pascal’s True Star Power Was Revealed
This Choice Was Thus Met With Plenty Of Backlash
Unfortunately forStar Wars, this pivot was met with some fairly widespread backlash. Their decision to double down on Din Djarin’s helmet rule ultimately originated inThe Book of Boba Fett, when Din was excommunicated from his Mandalorian tribe by the Armorer and instructed to find redemption in theLiving Waters on Mandalore. This episode aired in early 2022, which meant it was likely written in 2020 or 2021 -over a year or so before Pascal’s true star power absolutely boomed.
It wasThe Last of Usseason 1 in early 2023 that turned Pascal into one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, which made the complete and utter lack of helmet-less scenes in March 2023’sThe Mandalorianseason 3 even more shocking for audiences. It was hard to believe thatStar Warshad chosen not to make use of someone with Pascal’s talent and star power, thoughat the time that this decision was made for Din’s character, that wasn’t as much of a factor.
Star Wars Has Learned Pedro Pascal Is More Valuable Than Mando’s Silhouette
Pascal Has Become As Iconic As The Helmet Itself
Now, after seeing both the backlash to the pivot in Din Djarin’s arc and the exponential rise of Pedro Pascal’s star power,Star Warshas learned a crucial lesson:Pascal’s role ought not to be underestimated. The silhouette of Din Djarin was once thought to be the priority, but now, those priorities are shifting. Pascal is just as valuable, if not more so, to the character as his iconic helmet is, which places them on an even playing field.
The face underneath the helmet is as important as the helmet that conceals it.
Whereas the helmet was once the most recognizable part of Din Djarin’s character,Pascal has also become an important, even integral, part of the character as well. This goes beyond his voice, even if Pascal does continue to prioritize mostly voice acting where Din is concerned and lets his fellowDin Djarin actors, Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder, assist physically within the armor. The face underneath the helmet is as important as the helmet that conceals it.
The Mandalorian And Grogu Will Amend Din Djarin’s Helmet Arc In The Movie
The Lesson Is Learned & They Will Correct Their Mistake
This is why I am making the bold prediction thatStar Warswill amend their Din Djarin mistake inThe Mandalorian and Grogubycontinuing Din Djarin’s previous helmet-less arcsomehow. If anything, this is the best opportunity for them to do so, even in the story itself. Bo-Katan Kryze is building a united Mandalore, which means the rules of Din’s own group could inevitably relax until all Mandalorians are free to remove their helmets as they please.
Din Djarin also clearly values his role as a father to Grogu above all else. If he believes that revealing his face is something Grogu needs, then it’s certainly something he will do. He already proved this inThe Mandalorianseason 2, when he broke his Creed twice by removing his helmet in the Imperial refinery on Morak and on Moff Gideon’s light cruiser. There are many ways to make this work, and I believeStar Warswill take advantage of it.
The disapproval of the pivot in Din Djarin’s helmet arc didn’t just rest in frustration with not seeing Pascal’s face in particular, but after his star power increased so rapidly, that certainly became an important part of it.Star Warshas now realized thattheir star has become just as iconic as the character he’s portraying, and the first official image they released of Pascal helmet-less on the set ofThe Mandalorian and Groguproves that - and teases a future where they pursue this more often.
The Mandalorian and Groguhits theaters June 14, 2025.
