Summary
WhileThe Mandalorian’smost recent season saw the apparent demise of the show’s most interesting antagonist, the man behind the iconic role has given fans new hope that they haven’t seen the last of the ruthless Moff just yet.
The Mandalorianholds the good fortune of not being one oftheStar Warsfranchise’s more divisive projects, kicking off the Disney+ era with more or less universal appreciation. While the show benefits greatly from its two leads, Din Djarin and Grogu, appealing to such a wide and diverse range of fans and playing well off of one another, another major selling point for the show was the villainous Moff Gideon, a former Imperial official with evil machinations for Grogu. Portrayed by the universally-loved Giancarlo Esposito, Gideon got a lot of build up ahead of his major role in the finale of season one and a far more prominent role in season two before seemingly meeting his demise at the end of the show’s third and most recent season.
While many fans thought that this was the end for the character, it seems that reports of Gideon’s death might have been greatly exaggerated, according to Esposito.The Directreports that the man himself seemed to hint at a potential return while taking questions on a panel at the recent L.A. ComicCon event. When asked by a fan about whether or not he’d return for another season ofThe Mandalorian,Esposito revealed he was more than willing to reprise the role, while also substantiating rumors thatThe Mandalorian & Grogufilm might signal the end of the show, with no fourth season in view. “Well, I would love to. I don’t know much about what’s going on. I know they’re making a film. I don’t know if they’re going to return to the show or not, but anything is open. And I certainly left the best opening ever for Moff Gideon to come back. I love it when you see a character go over the edge, but you don’t quite know what happens.”
Esposito went further after a well-received quip, clearing all ambiguity about what he meant by a return for Moff Gideon. “I remember in our last season, when I came to set, I had a different haircut because I figured I was in prison for a while and had no moustache. And then before I started shooting Jon Favreau came down, he kind of looked at me, and he went, scratched his head. He went, no moustache? And I went, no moustache,” Esposito revealed. “And so it leaves it open with all of those clones that there’s a possibility that Moff Gideon is still hiding out somewhere, waiting to come back and take over. I can almost guarantee it.” With the myriad methods available to cheat death in the star wars universe already seen, there’s little doubt that Esposito is right. If this does happen, it wouldn’t be the first time thatMoff Gideon rose from the ashes on theStar Warsshow, albeit this second time around would be more impressive than his escape from new Republic imprisonment.
Esposito is just as much a fan favorite as Moff Gideon is, and their return to theStar Warsfranchise would certainly be appropriate if the upcoming film really is the end of theMandalorianstoryline. There’s precious little information available concerning what that film will actually include, so fans will have to wait patiently for more news. In the meantime, everyone can look forward to seeing Esposito playing hislong awaited character inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwhen that MCU project releases early next year.
The Mandalorianis available to stream on Disney+, withThe Mandalorian & Grogufilm currently expected to release in May 2026.
