Pedro Pascal thanks Mandalorian stunt performers

Pedro Pascal used a new round of press for “The Mandalorian & Grogu” to spotlight the performers who share Din Djarin’s physical work on screen. In interview clips circulating on May 21, 2026, Pascal named Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder as key collaborators behind the armored Star Wars character. He said Wayne had been involved in shaping the role “since day one” and said Crowder handled much of the fighting because “Mando is fighting for 80% of the time.” The comments drew attention because Pascal has long been the voice and face most associated with the Mandalorian, while the helmeted character is also performed on set by other actors and stunt specialists. Reference material for the film lists Wayne and Crowder as on-set doubles for the Mandalorian alongside Pascal’s starring credit. “The Mandalorian & Grogu” premiered at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on May 14 and is set for U.S. release on May 22. (youtube.com) ### Which performers did Pascal single out by name? Pedro Pascal identified Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder when asked about how the character is built physically. In the interview clip, Pascal said Wayne “was at the very start of authoring the physicality of this character” and described Crowder as “the ultimate fighter.” Yahoo’s syndicated entertainment clip and other pickups from the same interview show Pascal framing the role as a shared performance. (en.wikipedia.org) He said there are “brilliant actors” who “share the suit” with him while he also spends significant time in costume himself. ### Why did Pascal mention fighting so specifically? Pascal tied Crowder’s contribution to the action demands of the role. (youtube.com) In the clip, he said, “Mando is fighting for 80% of the time,” explaining why Crowder’s stunt and combat work matters so much to the finished performance. Lateef Crowder has been publicly identified in earlier coverage as the performer used for many of Din Djarin’s fight-heavy scenes, while Wayne has been described as central to the character’s gunslinger-style movement and stand-in acting. (yahoo.com) Those role distinctions predate Pascal’s latest remarks and help explain the division of labor behind the mask. ### Has this been a point of discussion before? (youtube.com) Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder have been part of public discussion around “The Mandalorian” for years because the character is usually helmeted. Earlier entertainment coverage and interviews have repeatedly noted that multiple performers contribute to Din Djarin’s on-screen presence, with Pascal providing the voice and unmasked scenes while Wayne and Crowder frequently appear in armor. (comicbook.com) ComicBook.com and other outlets revisited that arrangement in 2025 amid online debate over credit for the character’s performance. Pascal’s latest comments did not address any dispute directly, but they did explicitly credit Wayne and Crowder by name during the film’s publicity run. ### Where did these comments surface? (screenrant.com) A May 21 social post from DiscussingFilm amplified Pascal’s remarks and highlighted the line about Mando fighting “80% of the time.” Search results also show the underlying interview clip carried by Yahoo and reposted across video platforms in the last week as part of press for the movie. MSN and CBR published follow-up items built from the same press appearance, both emphasizing Pascal’s description of the role as collaborative and his praise for Wayne and Crowder. (comicbook.com) ### What comes next for the film? May 22 is the next concrete date for the project. Disney’s “The Mandalorian & Grogu” is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters that day, following its May 14 Los Angeles premiere, with Pascal, Wayne and Crowder all tied publicly to the character’s screen performance. (yahoo.com) (en.wikipedia.org) (msn.com)