One star fromThe Mandalorianhas enjoyed their time inStar Warsso much that they’re determined to make a return, despite the fact their character has seemingly met their true fate. It’s a well-known fact in theStar Warsfandom that characters have certainly cheated death before, and resurrections aren’t as rare as you would think - as was the case forDarth Maul. If there isn’t a body shown, then there’s certainly a chance that a dead character could return.
Of course, there also has to be limits, especially if a character’s death serves this story. This seems to have been the case with Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon inThe Mandalorianseason 3. After 3 full seasons of acting as the “big bad,” the villain ultimately meets his fate via engulfing flames on Mandalore. Not only does Gideon truly seem to be dead, but it’s also the proper time to move on to another villain for Din Djarin and Grogu’s story - but Esposito isn’t convinced of that.
Giancarlo Esposito Is Convinced That Moff Gideon Could Have Survived
He Never Gives Up Hope For A Return
Esposito’s true love and passion for bothThe MandalorianandStar Warsas a whole is clearly shown through the way he constantly suggests that Gideon could still be alive. Ever sinceThe Mandalorianseason 3 finished airing,Esposito has answered any and all questions about hisStar Warsfuture with the confident hope that Gideon could somehow return again. He is absolutely adamant about this point, and he brings it up any time he’s asked about it.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Wasted Moff Gideon (Is It Too Late?)
The Mandalorian season 3 wasted the potential of Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon, but if a theory holds true, the villain can still be salvaged.
This isn’t all just wishful thinking, though. Esposito was very intentional about his performance inThe Mandalorianseason 3, and he even inadvertently sought out a unique way to create his own loophole for Gideon to return later on should the story allow for it. It had little to do with his physical performance, though, and more to do with his physicalappearance.
Gideon’s Missing Mustache In Season 3 Could Make His Return Possible
Esposito “Accidentally” Created His Very Own Loophole
Gideon’s role inThe Mandalorianseason 3 had everything to do with his secret cloning project. It was the result of what seasons 1 and 2 had been building up to, with Gideon specifically seeking out Grogu’s blood - or, more accurately, his “M-count” - to create Force-sensitive clones. AlthoughProject Necromanceralso sought to accomplish this to bring Emperor Palpatine back,Gideon had his own plan to create a Force-sensitive army of his own clones.
When Esposito opted to shave his mustache for his role in season 3, then, it accidentally created the perfect loophole. He inadvertently had enough foresight to know thatStar Warsfans, as eagle-eyed as we all are, would quickly notice thatGideon didn’t have a mustache inThe Mandalorianseason 3, unlike his appearance in seasons 1 and 2. With cloning involved,it quickly became reasonable to assume that us fans would theorize that the Gideon we see without a mustache is actually just one of his clones.
He inadvertently had enough foresight to know that Star Wars fans, as eagle-eyed as we all are, would quickly notice that Gideon didn’t have a mustache in The Mandalorian season 3, unlike his appearance in seasons 1 and 2.
If Gideon was actually just a clone in season 3, that would create a way for the real Gideon to return once again, as it would have been his clone that died inThe Mandalorianseason 3’s ending. This was an absolutely ingenious idea on Esposito’s part; clearly, he’s since done his homework onStar Warsresurrections, even if his original intention with the mustache was to reflect Gideon’s time in prison (viaGizmodo). He ensured that he would have an avenue to come back no matter what, and it’s honestly incredibly brilliant.
Giancarlo Esposito’s Dedication To Moff Gideon Is Unmatched
He’s Proven His Love For The Character Time & Time Again
Esposito has always been all-in with his role as Gideon inThe Mandalorian, evidenced by not only his expert portrayal of the villain, but also by the work he’s put in behind the scenes. “Accidentally” planning ahead so far as to shave his mustache for the role in season 3 is incredible proof of that fact. I’m also reminded of how Esposito did as much of theDarksaberfighting choreography inThe Mandalorianseason 2 finale as he could, holding back so little that he accidentally broke several Darksaber props.
Moff Gideon’s Mandalorian-Inspired Armor (& Darth Maul Horns) Explained
Moff Gideon’s new Mandalorian-inspired beskar armor in The Mandalorian is subtly designed to mock his enemies by dragging up their worst memories.
In just about every single way, Esposito has proven his love and dedication to hisStar Warsrole, andas lovingly hilarious as it can be to see Esposito clowning(affectionate)over and over again for Moff Gideon to return, it’s also very refreshing. It proves that he doesn’t want to have to move on from what must have been an incredible experience in thisStar WarsTV show. I’ve had to come to terms with having seen the last of Moff Gideon inThe Mandalorian, but a part of me is secretly clowning with Esposito, too.
