Trivia / The Mandalorian S2E8 "Chapter 16: The Rescue"

• Acting in the Dark: According to Katee Sackhoff, all of the actors present for Luke's arrival were instead told that Plo Koon answered Grogu's call. Ming-Na Wen later confessed that the prop department also attempted to keep Luke's arrival a surprise by painting R2-D2 green (as eventually shown in Disney Gallery).
• Actor-Inspired Element: Before Pedro Pascal filmed this episode, he suggested to Jon Favreau that he reveal his face to Grogu, so that Din and his foundling could share a "kind of intimacy in the relationship." Favreau's response left Pascal uncertain whether or not he already planned such a moment, though the showrunner has admitted to Variety, "[Pascal's] insight has made us rethink moments over the course of the show."
• Deleted Scene: Din originally showed his face to Cara after Grogu and Luke left.
• Foiler Footage: The crew went all out to keep Luke's involvement a secret. Plo Koon (assumed to have died in Order 66, but known to fans as Dave Filoni's favorite Jedi) was written in to the script as the Jedi who answered Grogu's call. On top of that, concept art and CGI effects were created with Plo Koon in Luke's place, and a very rough and unfinished version of Plo Koon’s head was imposed over Luke's body double in the raw, unedited footage.
• In Memoriam: Boba Fett's original actor, Jeremy Bulloch, died of Parkinson's disease a day before this episode aired. A few weeks later, Lucasfilm added a dedication to him to the end credits.
• Throw It In!: Ming-Na Wen improvised the shot in The Stinger of Fennec drinking spotchka straight from the bottle, after Jon Favreau suggested that Boba and Fennec should look "relaxed" after claiming Jabba's throne.

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