Key Takeaways:
– Bill Burr was cast as Migs Mayfeld in The Mandalorian because of his hilariously critical jokes about Star Wars.
– The series creator, Jon Favreau, appreciated his humor and thought it would amuse his fans if he were cast on the show.
– Despite his jokes, Burr encountered respectful and mature Star Wars fans.
– Burr returned as Migs Mayfeld in the second season of The Mandalorian but didn’t make an appearance in the third.
Comedian Bill Burr ended up as part of the hugely popular Star Wars franchise, more specifically, in the Disney+ Series The Mandalorian, despite being known for making fun of Star Wars. But what is the reason behind this seemingly contrastive move?
From Comedy Stage to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Burr, a committed comedian, regularly took jabs at Star Wars during his stand-up acts, tickling his audience’s funny bones with his sharp wit and unique echo of criticism. Unusually, these jokes would become the reason behind his journey from comedy stages to the intergalactic universe of Star Wars.
In an interview with WIRED, Burr revealed that he was approached by none other than the creator of The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau. The talented director happened to be a fan of the comedian and, against all expectations, cherished his Star Wars-themed jokes.
Burr recollected his discussions with Favreau stating, “He used to always hear me making fun of Star Wars, [it] ended up leading to a meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party.” It was here that Favreau suggested that Burr would fit a new role that was in the pipeline for the series.
How Jokes Secured a Role in The Mandalorian
Despite emphasizing to Favreau that he was a serial Star Wars teaser, the director – knowing all about him – was keen on having Burr be a part of Star Wars. To the surprise of many, Burr’s wife, Nia Hill, excited by the idea, convinced him to accept Favreau’s offer, ushering him into the cosmic world of the Star Wars Universe.
Burr’s Surprising Encounter with Star Wars Fans
Burr, a sports fan, had his own assumptions about Star Wars enthusiasts. He anticipated them to be as impassioned and bellicose as sports fans typically are. However, he was pleasantly stunned by the polite and respectful approach he encountered from the Star Wars fan community.
In a conversation with Screen Rant, Burr expressed appreciation for the Star Wars fans’ distinctly respectful demeanor. The sports fans he had interacted with usually approached him with crude humor and slurs, so the change was refreshing.
The Unexpected Turn of Events
Thus, the comedian known for his cutting jokes about the Star Wars franchise found himself immersed in it, marking what might be one of the most unexpected casting stories Hollywood has seen. Bill Burr not only played the character, Migs Mayfeld, in The Mandalorian, but also returned for the series’ second season.
Burr’s notably light-hearted journey from being a diagreeing outsider to an embraceable insider truly adds an amusing footnote to the vast history of Star Wars. It reminds fans that playful critique and hearty fun can, at times, land you right in the middle of the universe you teased.
