'The Mandalorian' Star Pushes Back on Toxic Star Wars Fandom: "It's Ours"

Brendan Wayne, who served as the body double for Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin, offered sobering thoughts on the state of Star Wars fandom. He said the character was quickly embraced, a sign the franchise is thriving, but warned that enthusiasm can slide into gatekeeping.

Wayne raised the issue during a panel interview, tying it to the nostalgia that has long shaped fan reactions. He pointed to Ahmed Best's guest role as Jedi master Kelleran Beq in Season 3, Episode 4 — a flashback in which Beq helps rescue young Grogu during the Jedi Temple siege — as an example of course correction.

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