Who does Martin Scorsese play in ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’?

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first major pillar to hit theaters this summer. So fans of a galaxy far, far away should prepare themselves for action, cuteness, and tons of allusions to other Star Wars movies and shows. But a truly surprising cinematic thrill is how legendary American filmmaker Martin Scorsese comes into play in this highly anticipated spin-off.

In the opening credits, Scorsese’s name will appear after Pedro Pascal, who headlines as Mando himself. But fans of Goodfellas, the Wolf of Wall Street and the Flower Moon Killers we’ll have to wait until act two for the role of the Oscar-winning director.

What does Martin Scorsese look like in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu?

Pedro Pascal and Martin Scorsese in “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu”.
Credit: Lucasfilm

In the film, the Mandalorian is tasked with saving Rotta the Hutt (The bear(‘s Jeremy Allen White), the son of the late Jabba the Hutt. But first, he and his child/protege Grogu must find Rotta. So, Mando asks for information from a seller of four-armed Ardennes carts. Voiced by Scorsese, this simian-like alien delivers rapid-fire exposition with a New York sensibility and a well-grounded awareness of what happens to the snitches.

Two months ago, attentive fans noticed Scorsese in a trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

But what fans couldn’t have guessed is his character’s name: Hugo Durant.

The first name seems to refer to Hugo, Scorsese’s 2011 family adventure, based on Brian Selznick’s 2007 book The invention of Hugo Cabret. The last name; however, this appears to be a reference to Rio Durant, the Ardennes pilot of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Presumably, Hugo and Rio are related. But another thing they have in common is that both are voiced by the directors, as The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau provided Rio’s voice.

Of course, Scorsese isn’t the only filmmaker to appear in Favreau’s film. Did you spot The Mandalorian and Grogu co-writer and producer Dave Filoni?

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is now in theaters.