It’s always fascinating to think about what might have been, especially when it comes to such a gargantuan franchise asStar Wars, particularly with shows likeThe Mandalorian. Fun facts like Luke’s original last name being “Starkiller” and slightly less fun facts like how Harrison Ford has wanted Han Solo dead for decades have cropped up in plenty of conversations regarding the series over the years. Now, a new art book has offered a few more glimpses into some alternate realities in a galaxy far, far away.
Phil Szostak, who works for Lucasfilm as senior content and asset specialist, has put together a new book compiling the many concept pieces surrounding season 2 ofThe Mandalorian. Aptly titledThe Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2), it will give readers a new perspective on some of the biggest moments in the show. From the live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) to the still freakout-worthy cameo from aparticularly robot-voiced Luke Skywalker, the season injected enoughStar Warsexcitement into the fandom to last a lifetime or at least a decently subdued weekend at Comic-Con. But there’s one piece of concept art that teases an exciting possibility left on the cutting room floor.
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Among all the other incredible works throughout Szostak’s book, one page reveals an intimidating shot of the now-familiar ship bridge seen in the climactic season 2 finale ofThe Mandalorian. Created by artists Brian Matyas and Ryan Church, the image depicts Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian) holding the legendary Darksaber aloft as the foreground reveals a gloved handholding an ambiguous lightsaber. This seems to imply that Luke and Din may have been squaring up for a duel at one point in the planning stages. But things aren’t always as they seem.
It’s worth noting that the Luke Skywalker cameo was kept so well under wraps, even the majority of the cast and crew had no idea until it happened. “As you may see in the book, no art that really clearly depicted Luke was actually created,” Szostak said while speaking with theStar Warsnews blog about the book. “And honestly, some artists were left completely in the dark up until the episode aired. It was really only a small group of us that knew all along. There was no mention of Luke in the script, either. It was all Plo Koon.”
This refers to themisdirect among theThe Mandaloriancast and crewwhere they were led to believe the big cameo would actually be Jedi Master Plo Koon (even though he was last seen in the middle of a fiery explosion inRevenge of the Sith). It’s also presumably why the artwork depicting Luke is so non-specific. Even the artists probably had no idea who the character was, only that a Jedi would show up during the climax of that final episode. But the art also implies that “Mando” (as some characters call Din) might have originally reacted defensively to the Jedi’s appearance. Would there have been an actual duel? Or would it simply have gone no further than a threatening stance?
It’s difficult to say whether such things would have happened. But either way, it was already one heck of a season finale. Anybody interested in seeing more looks at the concept art behindThe Mandalorianseason 2can check outThe Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2)when it releases on February 15th, 2022.
