Since the Walt Disney Company acquired the Star Wars franchise back in 2012, purists and hardcore fans of the iconic ‘galaxy far, far away’ have waited with bated breath for the results – as the first live-action TV spinoff series to have emerged from the newly-acquired SW franchise, hit Disney + vehicle The Mandalorian has not disappointed. Packed with references to the original films and featuring a stellar cast including Rosario Dawson, Carl Weathers, Taika Waititi and Werner Herzog, The Mandalorian series is well worth the time of any self-respecting SW fan – but what do you need to know before settling down to stream this action-packed spinoff show?
Who are the Mandalorians? According to the Star Wars universe, Mandalorians are broadly defined as humans or aliens who originate from the fictional planet of Mandalore and its surrounding star systems. Contrary to previous assertions amongst the fans, the Mandalorian people consist of a diverse mix of races and species, which are united by a shared ideology based around a strong ancient warrior culture and ingrained hatred for Jedis and the Galactic Republic. In The Mandalorian TV show, the titular protagonist (Din Djarin) works as a Mandalorian bounty hunter, a traditional occupation for men from the planet.
The Mandalorian armour: People hailing from Mandalore can be easily identified by their body armour and distinctive Mandalorian helmets, which they are forbidden to remove in the view of outsiders. Like Din Djarin (or ‘Mondo’), many Mandalorians favour a violent way of life – in keeping with their warrior lifestyle, Mandalorians are heavily armoured with wrist gauntlets and chest armour well suited to battle in a range of terrains and designed to withstand the impact of advanced weaponry. Many Mandalorian warriors are even equipped with jet packs, allowing for a speedy escape or surprise airborne attack in battle.
What is Mandalore like? Mandalore is described as a desolate and war-torn Outer Rim planet that has been subjected to years of conflict. While Mandalorians initially battled against the Jedi, the majority were eventually killed or displaced at the hands of the Galactic Republic, in an episode of SW lore known as the ‘Mandalorian Excision’. The planet of Mandalore is described as having an inhabited moon in its orbit, which is known as Concordia.
Are Boba and Jango Fett Mandalorian? As well as being one of the franchise’s most beloved characters (even spawning his own spin-off series, The Book of Boba Fett), Boba Fett was the first Mandalorian to be introduced to the SW universe. Initially appearing in the Star Wars Holiday Special and later making scene-stealing turns in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the ruthless mercenary Boba Fett (and his clone father Jango Fett) typify the Mandalorian warrior attitude and aesthetic.
