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It’s been almost 50 years since the first “Star Wars” was released. And it’s taken that long for a movie in the beloved franchise – “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” — to be shot in Los Angeles
“I’d like to thank the California Film Commission and allowing us to have a tax incentive here and allowing us to be the first “Star Wars” film to be made entirely in Los Angeles,” “Mandalorian” writer and director Jon Favreau said to applause while introducing the movie at its world premiere Thursday night at the TCL Theatre in Hollywood.
Favreau also thanked his father for introducing him to “Star Wars” after taking him to see the original movie when he was just 10 years old. “That movie changed my life with that first shot,” he said, adding, “I sat by my dad’s side 49 years ago watching ‘Star Wars’ for the first time and tonight, I’m getting to sit next to my dad and watch this movie. Thank you, dad.”
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is a spinoff of the Disney+ series, “The Mandalorian.” The film follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice, Grogu, as they fight criminal warlords on behalf of the New Republic.
Sigourney Weaver makes her “Star Wars” debut as a New Republic commander. She told me she had never watched “The Mandalorian” before speaking with Jon Favreau over Zoom about the movie. “I’ve admired [‘Star Wars’] from afar,” she said. “They have such wonderful actors in it, such wonderful characters.”
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” will be in theaters on May 22.
Spotted at the premiere were Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro and his predecessor Bob Iger as well as fellow studio execs Dana Walden, Asad Ayaz and Alan Bergman. A pre-screening reception included branded product from Burger King, Olive and June nail care and special edition of Nilla wafers that are tinted blue in homage to a snack seen in the film.
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Marcmalkin
Almontather Rassoul
