‘The Mandalorian’ Will Honor the Late Carl Weathers with Special Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

The team behind ‘The Mandalorian’ is gearing up to honor one of its standout stars, Carl Weathers, who passed away earlier this year. Known for his role as Greef Karga, Weathers brought a mix of charm and grit to the show that hooked us from the start. Now, with his loss still fresh, the folks at Lucasfilm are putting together a heartfelt behind-the-scenes featurette to celebrate his work. It’s a chance for me—and everyone who loved his character—to look back at what he added to this galaxy far, far away.

This tribute isn’t just a random nod—it’s tied to the upcoming 4K UHD release of ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3, hitting shelves soon. Weathers didn’t just act in the series, he stepped up to direct a couple of episodes too, showing off his skills behind the camera. The featurette promises to dive into those moments, giving us a peek at how he shaped the show. With the next chapter, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ movie, on the way, this feels like the perfect time to remember a guy who left a big mark on the series.

How Carl Weathers Shined as Greef Karga

Carl Weathers brought Greef Karga to life in a way that made him unforgettable. He started as a shady bounty hunter boss in Season 1, but over time, he turned into a solid ally for Din Djarin and Baby Yoda. That shift wasn’t just in the script—Weathers made it real with his knack for mixing toughness with a warm, leader-like vibe. By Season 3, Greef was running Nevarro as High Magistrate, and you could feel how much he cared about making the place better.

What’s cool is how Weathers pulled from his own experience to nail the role. Before ‘The Mandalorian’, he was already a legend—think Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky’ or facing off with Schwarzenegger in ‘Predator’. That action-hero energy fit right into the Star Wars world, but he added a layer of heart that kept Greef from being just another tough guy. I reckon his time as a pro football player gave him that natural grit too.

The featurette’s going to spotlight this, showing clips and stories from the set. It’s not just about his acting—it’s about how he clicked with the crew and brought something special to every scene he was in.

Weathers Behind the Camera

Here’s where it gets even better—Carl Weathers didn’t just act, he directed two episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’. His first go was ‘Chapter 12: The Siege’ in Season 2, and man, did he deliver. It’s got this wild chase scene that feels straight out of the original ‘Star Wars’ movie, with TIE fighters zooming after the Razor Crest. He knew how to crank up the action and keep us glued to the screen.

Then in Season 3, he took on ‘Chapter 20: The Foundling’, which digs into some big moments for the Mandalorians as a group. Weathers had a way of balancing the big fights with quieter bits that let the story breathe. You can tell he got what made Star Wars tick—he wasn’t afraid to lean into the old-school vibes while still making it fresh.

This tribute will dig into those episodes, with people like Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni talking about what it was like having him in the director’s chair. They’ve already said he was a natural, bringing the same fire he had as an actor to calling the shots.

What’s Next for ‘The Mandalorian’ Without Him

With Weathers gone, there’s a gap in ‘The Mandalorian’ that’s tough to ignore. Greef Karga was a key piece of the story, especially on Nevarro, which became a home base for Mando and Grogu. The upcoming movie, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’, set for May 2026, won’t have him, and that stings. Could they recast the role? Maybe, but it doesn’t feel like Lucasfilm’s style—they seem set on honoring him instead.

The featurette ties into this too—it’s a way to say goodbye while keeping his legacy alive. I’d bet we’ll see some nod to Greef in the film, like a statue or a line about his impact on Nevarro. It’s already wrapped filming, so they’ve had time to figure out how to handle his absence.

For now, this behind-the-scenes look is our chance to celebrate Weathers before the next adventure kicks off. It’s hitting with the Season 3 release on December 3, 2025, so we’ve got that to hold onto as we wait for what’s next.