Giancarlo Esposito, known for his role as Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian, shared insights into his character preparation during a panel at Comic-Con in Los Angeles on October 5. Reflecting on his influences, Esposito revealed how he drew inspiration from iconic actors such as Peter Cushing and the late James Earl Jones.
“I went back and watched Peter Cushing’s performance—his Grand Moff performance was very interesting to me,” Esposito explained. “I also looked at James Earl Jones because he inspired me with how he carried himself in that grand, graceful costume. It took me a while to start thinking of myself as a modern-day Darth Vader.”
At 66 years old, Esposito emphasized the importance of thorough research in developing his character. He sought guidance from The Mandalorian creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni but noted that they were somewhat cryptic. “I didn’t know much and wanted to figure it out. So I went back and looked, read, and made up the rest, which is normally what I do,” he said.
One key aspect of his character, he noted, was the request for a cape, which added to his portrayal of Moff Gideon. “The cape made me feel I had to walk and be a certain way,” he stated.
Esposito described a transformative moment when he first wielded the Darksaber. “Having that extension of my arm, although it wasn’t my arm, was interesting. It’s a revered weapon, so I had to respect it before experimenting with it,” he said, humorously recounting how he practiced with a broomstick in his living room.
Earlier in the day, Esposito characterized Moff Gideon as “the ultimate bonus bad guy,” and he reflected on the significance of the journey to embodying the role. “Often, we desire to reach our perceived goals quickly, but if we got there tomorrow, we wouldn’t appreciate it as much as if we build the building blocks to get there. The journey becomes very important,” he explained.
As for his future on The Mandalorian, Esposito expressed enthusiasm for continuing the role, though he acknowledged uncertainty about upcoming developments. “I know they’re making a film, but I don’t know if they will return to the show or not. Anything is open,” he said, hinting at Moff Gideon’s potential return. “I left the best opening ever for him to come back. I love seeing a character go over the edge without revealing everything.”
He reminisced about a previous filming experience, recalling how a change in his hairstyle reflected Gideon’s narrative arc. “When I came to set with a different haircut, Jon Favreau scratched his head and said, ‘No mustache?’ I replied, ‘No! No mustache!’ This leaves the door open for the possibility that Moff Gideon is still out there, waiting to take over. I can almost guarantee it.”
Related topics: