The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau recently spoke about casting veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese in the upcoming Star Wars movie. He also revealed an important connection between Scorsese’s character and another from a previous film focused on Han Solo’s origins.

Jon Favreau reveals key connection to Martin Scorsese’s Star Wars character

Favreau confirmed that Martin Scorsese’s character in The Mandalorian and Grogu, a fry cook, is an Ardennian like his character in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rio Durant.

Elaborating on the connection, the Iron Man director told Fandango, “So I was a cook in the Solo movie. He has a food truck in this one. I gave our characters the same last name. So, our characters are related in theory.”

Favreau further elaborated on how he was a fan of the acclaimed filmmaker growing up. He expressed gratitude for getting to act in Scorsese’s movie The Wolf of Wall Street, and also spoke about how they had participated together in Q&A sessions at film festivals.

Favreau on how Martin Scorsese joined The Mandalorian and Grogu

Favreau told SFX Magazine that former Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy facilitated Scorsese’s involvement.

“She knows him well, she socialises with him, and she’s like a gold-star producer, so this was an easy one for her,” the Chef star explained (via GamesRadar).

Favreau also spoke about how Scorsese improvised on set and explained that his performance was recorded and given to CG animators to animate. “Boy, it’s quite impressive what they were able to do,” he added.

The Emmy-nominated producer praised Scorsese’s work in the film as some of The Mandalorian and Grogu’s “funniest parts.” He further stated, “It works well for the story, as a fan of Marty and as a fan of Star Wars.”

The movie launches in theaters on May 22, 2026. In addition to directing, Favreau co-wrote the film’s script with current Lucasfilm president, Dave Filoni, and Noah Kloor.

Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on SuperHeroHype.