Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first major tentpole to hit theaters this summer. So fans of a galaxy far, far away should brace for action, adorableness, and scads of allusions to other Star Wars movies and shows. But one cinematic thrill that’s a real surprise is how legendary American filmmaker Martin Scorsese comes into play in this much-anticipated spin-off.
In the opening credits, Scorsese’s name will appear after Pedro Pascal, who headlines as Mando himself. But fans of Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Killers of the Flower Moon will have to wait until Act Two for the Academy Award–winning director’s role.
What does Martin Scorsese look like in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu?
Pedro Pascal and Martin Scorsese in “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
Credit: Lucasfilm
In the movie, the Mandalorian is tasked with rescuing Rotta the Hutt (The Bear‘s Jeremy Allen White), the son of the late Jabba the Hutt. But first, he and his child/protégé Grogu have to find Rotta. So, Mando asks an Ardennian street cart vendor with four arms for information. Voiced by Scorsese, this simian-like alien delivers rapid-fire exposition with a New York sensibility and a grounded awareness of what happens to snitches.
Two months ago, some keen-eared fans noticed Scorsese in a trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.
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But what fans couldn’t have guessed is his character’s name: Hugo Durant.
The first name seems to be a reference to Hugo, Scorsese’s family-friendly 2011 adventure, based on Brian Selznick’s 2007 book The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The last name; however, appears to be a reference to Rio Durant, the Ardennian pilot from Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Presumably, Hugo and Rio are related. But another thing they have in common is that both are voiced by directors, as The Mandalorian and Grogu helmer Jon Favreau provided the voice of Rio.
Of course, Scorsese’s not the only filmmaker with a cameo in Favreau’s film. Did you spot The Mandalorian and Grogu co-writer and producer Dave Filoni?
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is now in theaters.
