Moff Gideonactor Giancarlo Esposito fromThe Mandalorianhas revealed how James Earl Jones’Darth Vaderinfluenced his performance as the character who is now hailed as one ofDisneyStar Wars’best villainsto date. Esposito has been a key part ofThe Mandalorian’s massive success from the beginning; it was his villain who rose the stakes immensely in season 1. Ever since, Moff Gideon has continued to make an unforgettable impact on theStar Warsgalaxy, though it all goes back to one of the most iconic villains of all time.
Speaking toEmpire Magazine, Esposito revealed the inspiration behind Moff Gideon’s character, in addition to the backstory he created for himself as he stepped into the role.The actor credits his friendship with Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader, as a massive inspirationnot just for Gideon, but also for his career on the whole. The most evident form of inspiration for Gideon specifically, however, was Vader’s cape: “I must have the cape,” Esposito quoted himself. “And I got the cape.”
I had a friendship with James Earl Jones; he inspired me my whole career. Mentors like Jimmy Jones and Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, they were the actors that I wanted to embody, to encompass their feeling and power and joy and intellect.So I said, “I must have a cape.” And I got the cape.Moff Gideon, to me, was ultimately that young boy who never had any power, who was always questioned about the colour of his skin. “Are you white? Are you Black? Your hair is kind of curly?” Andhe then took on this place for me, where he was ultimatelythepower, not only because of his physicality but because of hisbrain. (Moff Gideon voice) “Assume I knoweverything.” Who says that? The way he spoke, and everything else which I was able to create in such a powerful way, empowered me to control the chaos around me.
Esposito went on to discuss more about Gideon’s background, most notably how his own experience as a Black man affected the way he thought about Gideon’s motives for becoming so power-hungry. “Moff Gideon, to me, was ultimately that young boy who never had any power, who was always questioned about the color of his skin,” Esposito stated. “He ultimately was the power, not only because of his physicality but because of his brain.” This, genuinely, is what makes Gideon such a great villain.
What Moff Gideon’s Darth Vader Inspiration Means For Star Wars
It’s So Much More Than Just A Cape
It comes as no surprise that Esposito was so heavily influenced by James' portrayal of Darth Vader, given both the commonality of looking at Vader as the definitiveStar Warsvillain and how much Gideon’s own outfit inThe Mandalorianresembles Vader’s, butit’s still touching to hear how Esposito’s personal relationship with Jones truly took things a step further. Esposito created a voice for Gideon that has become iconic in a way that’s similar yet different from Jones' as Vader, something that further draws the two characters closer together.
Is Moff Gideon’s Story Really Over In The Mandalorian?
There’s Still Potential For It To Continue
Something else Esposito touches on in this interview is the possibility of Gideon returning in theupcomingThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie. This seems unlikely, given Gideon’s apparent death on Mandalore inThe Mandalorianseason 3’s ending, though nothing is impossible inStar Wars- especially when the body hasn’t been seen. Esposito remains positive about returning, and, in all honesty, I would be okay with that, if only becauseI hope that Gideon gets an ending that’s much better than what he got in season 3.
The Mandalorian’s Absurd “Mustache Theory” Explained: How Moff Gideon Could Return In The Mandalorian & Grogu Movie
Moff Gideon seemingly died in The Mandalorian season 3 finale, but his mustache—of all things—may be a clue to his return in The Mandalorian & Grogu.
If Esposito’s time as Moff Gideon is truly over, however, it will be bittersweet in thatGideon has become as synonymous toThe Mandalorianas Vader was, and is, to the originalStar Warstrilogy. The two go hand-in-hand, as, in a way, the story ofThe Mandalorianis just as much Gideon’s as the original trilogy was Vader’s (and Anakin’s). Either way, it’s fascinating to see how Esposito used his real-life friendship and experiences to craftThe Mandalorian’s Moff Gideon in Vader’s image, while also making the character completely his own.
