Disney preps eight-part Mandalorian documentary series for Star Wars Day

The Mandalorian, the first-ever live-action Star Wars show, premiered back in November on Disney+, and although Disney really didn’t need it, the show put the service on the map. I mean, did you see it? It was great!

Now, as we approach Star Wars Day on May 4 (May the fourth by with you, geddit?), Disney is giving us more Mandalorian in the form of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, an eight-part documentary series that will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the adventures of the Mandalorian, Baby Yoda, and everyone they meet over their planet-hopping journey.

Image: Disney+

“Executive Producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series which quickly became a pop culture phenomenon,” reads Disney’s press release. “Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Jon Favreau…Topics this season include the filmmaking process, the legacy of George Lucas’ Star Wars, how the cast brought the characters to life, the series’ groundbreaking technology, the artistry behind the show’s practical models, effects, and creatures, plus the creative influences, the iconic score, and connections to Star Wars characters and props from across the galaxy.”

“Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is an opportunity for fans of the show to take a look inside and get to see a different perspective, and perhaps a greater understanding, of how The Mandalorian came together and some of the incredibly talented contributors throughout Season 1,” said Favreau. “We had a great experience making the show and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you.”

The making of The Mandalorian was indeed pretty cool. For one thing, they filmed a lot of the outdoor scenes on a giant sound stage, displaying the backgrounds on the LED video walls behind the actors. New technology allowed the backgrounds to track along with the actors, making these scenes look incredibly real even though actual location shooting wasn’t involved. It was groundbreaking stuff, and I’d love to see more of how it came together.

But ultimately, The Mandalorian wouldn’t have worked if all it had was impressive technology. The show came together because it told a simple story — hardened bounty hunter protects innocent child — very well, with loads of personality and love. I can’t wait to see the second season, which at the moment is still due to drop in October, assuming the coronavirus doesn’t push it back like it has a lot of other shows. This documentary series should tide me over in the meantime; at eight episodes, it’s as long as The Mandalorian itself.

May 4 will also see the premiere of the final episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which is wrapping up its seven-season run. Something ends, something begins.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels