Giancarlo Esposito Talks About 'The Mandalorian' And Who Gave Moff Gideon His Cape On 'The Tonight Show'

Star Wars

Jan 13

On Tuesday, Giancarlo Esposito stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote his Netflix series Kaleidoscope. And he had been wanting to be there for a while. Fallon came prepared though, expressing his excitement over The Mandalorian’s upcoming March return. Giancarlo even gleefully uttered, “You have something I want”.

He told of when Jon Favreau called him to be a part of the show, that he wrote Moff Gideon for him. Esposito replied that he wanted to work with people that he likes. Favreau then asked if he had any requests. That was when he said his one request: He must have a cape. Being a Star Wars production, having that cape allowed Esposito to feel like a kid again even more. An experience of wonder and dreams, hopes and imagination, a full immersion. He recalls the first time Grogu was revealed to him, and how he was completely enamored by the achievement in practical effects. Then the puppeteer got to demonstrate and puppeteered him in front of him. Right there, Esposito was not only convinced that Grogu would be the star but demanded that in every scene he was in, Grogu must be in it too.

The discussion then shifted to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Esposito loves what Marvel does and appreciates the fancasting, acknowledging that he’s been pegged for Magneto but Charles Xavier especially so. He is ready to play a good guy, especially someone as smart as Xavier. He knows there’s “mileage” and encourages fans to keep putting it out there, to try for that manifestation.

Kaleidiscope premiered on Netflix on New Year’s Day, and the third season of The Mandalorian premieres March 1 on Disney+.