Bryce Dallas Howard, director of several episodes ofThe Mandalorian, spoke about the impact the late Carl Weathers had on theStar Warsshow with his character, Greef Karga.The Mandalorianis largely considered one ofStar Wars’best TV shows, and many of the characters inThe Mandalorianhave become some of the most beloved inStar Warsmovies and TV shows. While heavy hitters like Din Djarin and Grogu have, of course, gained popularity as main characters,even characters not front-and-center in the show have had a major impact—Greef Karga among them.
Actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard recently acknowledged the impact Carl Weathers and his character inThe Mandalorian, Greef Karga, had on the show, honoring his legacy. A video of Carl Weathers' Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony posted byVarietyon YouTube includes the speech Howard gave, in which she spoke about Weathers' influence as both an actor and a director for the show.
In addition to highlighting how exceptional Weathers' acting and directing skills proved to be while working onThe Mandalorian, Howard revealed that Weathers had initially agreed to work onThe Mandalorianas a favor to Jon Favreau. Perhaps even more impressively, according to Howard, Weathers' performance directly influencedThe Mandalorian’sstory, as Greef Karga’s originally planned three-episode arc turned into something much greater due to Weathers' acting.
Carl Weathers' 10 Best Moments As Greef Karga In The Mandalorian
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Greef Karga Became A Vital Part Of The Mandalorian
It’s surprising and impressive to hear that, initially, Greef Karga was meant to be a minor role inThe Mandalorian, particularly becauseCarl Weathers' Greef Karga became a critically important character in the show. Perhaps the clearest example of his incredible arc inThe Mandalorianis his transformation from a disgraced magistrate to the High Magistrate of Nevarro. Moreover, Karga became a true friend to Din Djarin over the course of the show, and Weathers' real-life bright personality translated perfectly to the character.
Most recently, inThe Mandalorianseason 3 ending, Karga gave Din Djarin the home that Din Djarin and Grogu could be seen in front of at the episode’s conclusion. This will certainly give Karga a lasting memory inThe Mandalorian, as he effectively gave adoptive father and son a true home, cementing that the two truly are a family. In fact, withThe Mandalorian & Grogumovie coming up, this setting will no doubt be revisited.
Sadly, Carl Weathers' passing means that Greef Karga will not be included inThe Mandalorian & Grogu, and it remains to be seen howStar Warswill handle the need to write that character out. Surely, though, the movie will address this issue with grace and respect for Weathers' incredible legacy both inStar Warsand beyond the franchise. As Bryce Dallas Howard made abundantly clear in her speech, Carl Weathers and Greef Karga both had an incredible impact onThe Mandalorian, and that influence will continue to be felt inStar Wars.
The Mandalorian
Cast
Released on August 18, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
