Jaw-Dropping Revelations: Lucasfilm's Bold Defense of the Groundbreaking Din Djarin & Bo-Katan Arc in The Mandalorian Season 3

The creators of The Mandalorian recently discussed the controversial Bo-Katan and Din Djarin storyline in season 3. They defended the creative choices made, which deviated from the expectation that Din Djarin would become the wielder of the Darksaber and lead the Mandalorians. Instead, Bo-Katan Kryze assumed leadership and was given the Darksaber. Bo-Katan's involvement in the Star Wars universe predates The Mandalorian, as she first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Her history with the Darksaber and Mandalore is more extensive than Din Djarin's. The decision to have Bo-Katan wield the Darksaber in season 3's conclusion, after the buildup of Din Djarin's storyline, was surprising. This was addressed in Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3.

Why Din Djarin Wasn't The "Aragorn" Of The Mandalorian Season 3

When discussing Din Djarin's trajectory in season 3 of The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau from Lucasfilm highlighted the expectations that people had for him to undergo a transformation from a mere traveling bounty hunter to becoming like Aragorn. However, Favreau argues that there were hints in the first two seasons and The Book of Boba Fett that the series was not heading in that direction. He specifically points to the scene in The Book of Boba Fett where Din struggles to handle the Darksaber during his training with the Armorer.

This struggle implies that the responsibility of wielding the Darksaber and potentially ruling Mandalore was too great for Din. On the other hand, Bo-Katan is able to wield the Darksaber with ease and does not feel the burden of leading the Mandalorians. From the perspective of The Mandalorian creators, Din Djarin was never intended to fulfill the role of Aragorn in season 3. Instead, it seems that Mando's character arc focused on him remaining true to himself despite the extraordinary events that surrounded him and Grogu.

Does Lucasfilm's Defense Work?

The Mandalorian’s approach to Din Djarin’s arc in season 3 is logical, particularly because Bo-Katan is more suited to lead Mandalore than Mando. While tales of unlikely heroes are intriguing, Din Djarin lacked extensive knowledge of Mandalore's history. His understanding was limited to a specific Mandalorian creed, and he was surprised to witness Bo-Katan removing her helmet. Furthermore, Bo-Katan possesses greater expertise in Mandalorian armor and the Darksaber compared to Din. Nevertheless, Din Djarin embodying an Aragon-like figure could have been compelling and offered a captivating storyline.

The intriguing aspect of Din Djarin was his unsuitability to lead the Mandalorians. Mandalore has a long history of involvement in conflicts, including internal wars. In a previous instance, Bo-Katan briefly aligned herself with Darth Maul in a bid to seize control of Mandalore, but she later expressed regret. For those solely acquainted with The Mandalorian and not the animated Star Wars shows, Bo-Katan was a newly introduced character. Now that the anticipated trajectory for Din Djarin's character has changed, it will be interesting to see where Mando's narrative goes next.

Sources: Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3