Mandalorian Star Pedro Pascal Isn’t Jealous of Baby Yoda’s Popularity

Pedro Pascal, the star of The Mandalorian, shares that he feels no jealousy towards Grogu (aka Baby Yoda). Pascal made his debut as the armored warrior Din Djarin in November 2019, as did his beloved screen partner known as Baby Yoda. The duo has since won over the hearts of audiences all over the world with their father-son relationship and the ways in which they’ve expanded the Star Wars galaxy. With The Mandalorian season 3 arriving in February 2023 and season 4 already in development, it seems as if Din’s and Grogu’s takeover won’t end anytime soon.

Both of them — that is, the actor Pascal and his puppet sidekick — have since become breakout stars, though Grogu has quickly become an icon. From meme templates to toys and t-shirts, Grogu is practically everywhere following his Mandalorian debut. The little guy is loved by everyone, whether it be kids who are just experiencing Star Wars for the first time or viewers who got to see the first Star Wars film in theaters. While Pascal has certainly gotten his love from viewers and peers alike, the hype that has followed Baby Yoda seems almost unprecedented for a Star Wars non-human, aside from Yoda himself.

Now, Pascal himself has had a chance to comment on Grogu’s popularity. In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment at Star Wars Celebration, the actor was asked if he ever gets tired of the “hooplah” surrounding Baby Yoda as compared to Mando. Pascal is quick and eager to disagree as he instead insists on how it’s helped audiences to connect with Din. He still feels the “love for Mando,” and he believes the inclusion of Grogu was an “ace in the hole” for The Mandalorian season 1. Pascal even goes on to say that executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni “know what they’re doing” with Grogu and his popularity and, defensively, “you can’t take Grogu away from me.” Read Pascal’s full response below:

No! I don’t get tired of it, actually. I think it helps a lot. I would say that I certainly do not feel a lack of love for Mando, and I think that if anything, it’s probably enhanced by the relationship that we have and the love we all have for Grogu. It was an ace in the hole that they had for the first season, it continues to hold us, and I think ultimately Jon and Dave so know what they’re doing because their hearts lead the way as far as their love for Star Wars. So, no, you can’t take Grogu away from me.

It’s clear that Pascal is just as protective over Grogu as Din himself is, which ties a perfect thread between himself and his character. Viewers were already charmed by Pascal’s love for Grogu, as seen during the Mando+ panel at Star Wars Celebration, during which the actor admitted “it’s the closest I’ve come to being a dad.” That true love clearly translates onto the screen, especially in The Mandalorian season 2 finale when Grogu saw his “father’s” face for the first time. It’s been Din’s and Grogu’s relationship that’s truly captured the hearts of Star Wars audiences, something that will return in the next season following their reunion in The Book of Boba Fett.

In The Mandalorian season 3, Din will need the love of Grogu more than ever as he deals with the difficult journey of his own identity. Mando is seeking forgiveness for his transgressions against his creed and his tribe, as he was banished by the Armorer for removing his helmet. This points his physical journey towards Mandalore, despite its destruction by the Empire. It’s likely that Din will have to fight many personal battles along this journey, especially as he reunites with Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and other Mandalorians who follow a different “way” than himself. With Grogu at his side, Din will be able to feel more anchored than if he were on his own, something that will no doubt tie audiences even more to the beloved father-son pair in The Mandalorian season 3.