How the Mandalorian became the top show on the Disney+ Streaming Service
How the Mandalorian became the top show on the Disney+ Streaming Service
By Rafael A.
Embedded Files
Scene from S1 E1: “The Mandalorian” Photo: Lucasfilm
Over the years, Hollywood has introduced countless assassins, bounty hunters and guns for hire who have left their mark on film and TV history. And now another has been added to the list, the Mandalorian.
Ever since its launch in 2019, Disney+ has produced a variety of original series, shorts and feature films. But the main draw for many subscribers signing up for the popular streaming service is Star Wars content, both new and old. Of these, “The Mandalorian '' has become the clear fan-favorite.
Data shows that there is more interest in this new Star Wars series than any other show on Disney+. According to research conducted by Nielsen Streaming Data for its 2021 year-end report, the second season of “The Mandalorian'' was the most-watched series with 14.5 billion minutes viewed over the course of the year. Approximately 8.4 billion of these minutes were recorded in just the first eight weeks following the second season’s premier. The show now serves as the benchmark for original program launches on Disney+.
So why is this new TV show sparking so much interest among Disney+ subscribers?
Scene from S2 E2: “The Heiress” Photo: Lucasfilm
The adventures of the Mandalorian revolve around bounty hunter Din Djarin and his foundling Grogu, more popularly known as “Baby Yoda.” This duo have captured the hearts of audiences around the world with their unlikely friendship.
What makes the show so compelling is its ability to capture the essence of the original Star Wars movies while introducing new elements to the franchise. It retains the same aesthetics and themes recognizable from the original films as well as multiple easter eggs and throwbacks. In addition, the show features many interesting characters besides Grogu, like Cara Dune , IG-11, Kuiil, and Fennec Shan among others.
“It's one thing to bring back elements, characters, settings and stories, and to flash them in front of the audience to cash in on the nostalgia and/or recognizable memorabilia but without using it to further the plot [it could do] exactly the opposite,” said Tim Surette, a critic from TV Guide.
The Mandalorian has also brought back one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, the dreaded bounty hunter known as Boba Fett. Everyone loves his customized armor, deadly weaponry, chilling voice, and mysterious ways, which are further accentuated by his limited backstory and dialogue and masked appearance. Fett is one of the main reasons why the show has become such a worldwide phenomenon and in fact serves as the inspiration for the Mandalorian himself.
Scene from Star Wars Episode 6: The Return of the JediPhoto: Lucasfilm
Apart from the nostalgia factor, “The Mandalorian” also showcases jaw-dropping visual effects that foreshadows the future of filmmaking. The production uses a technological innovation called Stagecraft where a wraparound LED screen surrounds the entire set, thereby allowing the cast to engage in a CG environment in real time. Scenes are no longer shot on blue or green screens. This technique has proven to be the secret ingredient allowing the show to deliver nearly movie-quality images despite a limited TV budget. Visual Effects Supervisor, Richard Buff, has noted that the VFX for Season 2 went “above and beyond anything [they] did for Season 1” adding that, “It has left the crew open-mouthed with some of the magic tricks that [they] were able to perform with the video wall technology.”
The end result is a show that has garnered critical acclaim. Even before the finale aired, the show received 15 Emmy nominations, going on to win 7 awards for Outstanding Music Composition, Stunt Coordination, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Special Visual Effects.
The Mandalorian has proven a worthy sequel to the original trilogy and a strong addition to the franchise. It captures the same elements that made the first films so compelling while employing new technology and cinematic techniques that have raised the bar for filmmaking in general. It will be interesting to see what “The Mandalorian” has in store for Star Wars fans in its third season which airs in February 2023.
This is the way.
Behind the scenes on the making of “The Mandalorian”Photo: Lucasfilm
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