Filming for The Mandalorian Season 2 started filming in the fall, and as principal photography approaches its end, word is that James Mangold and Robert Rodriguez visited the set and directed parts for the show. In addition to this, Bryce Dallas Howard has returned to direct, and the guest stars for this season are big. Here are the details of what we know to this point.

UPDATE: Ron Howard tweeted IGN’s version of this story which in effect confirms part of the report, that his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard is indeed returning to direct an episode for season 2 of The Mandalorian.

The Mandalorian Season 2: James Mangold, Robert Rodriguez to Direct Parts, Bryce Dallas Howard to Return – IGN https://t.co/AdSVCik3Oo — Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) February 29, 2020

What makes this update interesting is a reply Ron Howard received under his tweet, by none other than James Mangold himself, who denied any involvement with The Mandalorian.

Hey Ron. I'm so pleased if it's true about Bryce directing another part of Mandalorian, but I can tell you its not true about me. Not doing it, never discussed it. And I suggest fans should look at who's "reporting" this & make a note that these sites present conjecture as fact. — Mangold (@mang0ld) February 29, 2020

Remember this report was never confirmed by Lucasfilm, and until that happens these should always be treated as rumors (unless Ron Howard confirms it I guess). Speaking of which, Mangold hasn’t commented on the way more publicized and bigger rumor that he is taking over directing Indiana Jones 5. Interesting.

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The information comes from our friends Black Series Rebels, who talk about it on their latest episode (which can be viewed in its entirety below). The guys have a laid back and fun show, but when it comes to knowing their information, they know their information.





Season 2 of The Mandalorian will premiere on Disney Plus in October, with the show currently bucking the trend of recent Star Wars content as it has been universally praised by critics and fans alike. With that praise comes a desire for talent to want to get involved. The draw to the show stems from a low-risk, high-reward mentality, as BSR’s Stephen Ellis says, “Talent is lining up to get a chance to play in Star Wars without any of the pressure.”





BSR has been told that Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Desperado, Planet Terror) and Academy Award nominee James Mangold (Cop Land, 3:10 to Yuma, Logan, Ford v Ferrari), and other unnamed directors, have directed sequences for an episode of The Mandalorian season 2. On what scale is uncertain but they have at least each directed sequences for an episode, with Rodriguez’s contribution being called “great”.









Robert Rodriguez’s experience and love for modern Westerns makes this news come as no surprise. If your friend was the showrunner for a Western-style smash hit Star Wars series and invited you to come to the set, offering the chance to direct, what would you say? Exactly.









James Mangold’s involvement feels like a bit of a closure and redemption. Not that a director with Mangold’s resume needs help or work, but as you may remember, Mangold was set to write and direct a Boba Fett standalone film, but the project never made it past the early development stages. Well, he has finally directed at least some Star Wars, it just happens to be a different character wearing Mandalorian armor this time. In addition to this, it was reported earlier today that Mangold is in line to take over directing the upcoming Indiana Jones movie.





Rodriguez and Mangold directing parts for The Mandalorian makes me curious what the future may hold. As we know, there are (currently unfounded) rumors that claim Taika Waititi has been approached about directing one of the next theatrical Star Wars films, off the heels of directing the final episode of The Mandalorian Season 1. Though Waititi has brushed aside those rumors, I think there could be some truth to them. Is it possible Mangold gets another crack at a Star Wars film? He is reportedly directing Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones movie, so who knows? That’s just wistful looking ahead to the future, to the horizon, on my part. Okay sorry, back to where I was, what I was doing.









BSR was also told Bryce Dallas Howard is returning to direct for Season 2. I imagine just as she did with Season 1, Howard is directing her own episode. Howard directed “Chapter 4: Sanctuary” for season 1, so when you share your GIFs of “The Child” sipping bone broth, you can thank her for that.





The last bit Alex and Steve talked about comes with no names attached, but apparently the guest stars for Season 2 are “big”, and we will update you if we find out more information on this.





Here is Black Series Rebels’ full episode where they talk about this story and more Star Wars goodness. The details from this story can be found starting at the 35:00 minute mark. Our buddies Alex, Steve, and Cisco also want you to know that starting with episode 101, they will be expanding BSR beyond Star Wars, to talk about other fun things in movies and pop culture beyond the galaxy far, far away, so keep up with them in their new expanded show!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZuQKilIGU&feature=emb_logo





The Mandalorian season 2 will debut on Disney Plus in October, and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than the first. I have spoken.





