A brand new rumor claims that Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. is in discussions to for a possible recurring Star Wars villain role in the timeline of The Mandalorian.
The initial rumor about Downey being in discussion with Iron Man director Jon Favreau and Lucasfilm to play a role in The Mandalorian came from scooper Daniel Ricthman as reported by We Got This Covered.
Richtman allegedly claims that Downey Jr. and Favreau are in discussions to work on a new project together and that project more than likely is The Mandalorian.
Following Richtman’s scoop, another rumor, this one from WDW Pro at Pirates and Princesses, claims the discussions with Downey Jr. are indeed for a Star Wars project set during The Mandalorian timeline. WDW Pro refers to this as the “Favreau-Filoni Star Wars cinematic universe.”
WDW Pro believes the discussions are for a significant recurring role and are not “of a cameo nature.” In fact, he claims they “may involve a long-term contract.”
As for who that character might be WDW Pro did speculate that it could be someone like Grand Admiral Thrawn.
They wrote, “It would not shock us at this point if RDJ takes a role like Grand Admiral Thrawn or some other major piece.”
Star Wars fans are asking Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to consider casting RDJ in one of their numerous Mandalorian spinoffs. The Mandalorian — featuring the adventures of Grogu (AKA The Child AKA Baby Yoda) and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) — has proven to be immensely popular.
Lucasfilm has confirmed three spinoff series, Ahsoka, Rangers of the New Republic, and The Book of Boba Fett. One series, in particular, has the Star Wars fan community buzzing on social media. Fans are asking Favreau and Filoni to give RDJ the role of Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka, which is expected to expound upon Ahsoka Tano’s (Rosario Dawson) storyline from The Mandalorian Season 2, Episode 5 (“Chapter 13: The Jedi”), in which she discovers that Thrawn is still alive and well, giving orders to Corvus Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto).
Let’s take a look at Twitter’s response to the recent rumor that RDJ is being considered for role within the Star Wars universe.
The Star Wars Quarter shared a fan edit of Downey Jr. as Thrawn, with the caption:
So I heard a rumour that Robert Downey Jr will be joining the #StarWars universe.. if this is true.. there is a god and apparently he may be playing this guy..please let this be true!! #StarWarsfan #TheMandolorian
So I heard a rumour that Robert Downey Jr will be joining the #StarWars universe.. if this is true.. there is a god and apparently he may be playing this guy.. 🙏👌🏻please let this be true!!#StarWarsfan #TheMandolorian pic.twitter.com/RGLgVLPubR
— THE STAR WARS QUARTER'S (@StarQuarter) January 5, 2021
Sonny P. excitedly shared two rumors in one — that Keanu Reeves may also be appearing in a galaxy far, far away, perhaps as fan-favorite Sith Lord Darth Revan:
Robert Downey Jr and Keanu Reeves joining star wars expanding roster?!
Another post, from FUSED, shared the opinion that, while RDJ could certainly play Thrawn, he would prefer him in another role:
If the rumours are true about #RobertDowneyJr joining #StarWars as #Thrawn, I’d be happy with that. That’s said [sic: That said], I’d see him more as a Talon Karrde character.
FUSED went on to suggest another potential Thrawn actor:
Ideally someone like Richard E Grant would make a better Thrawn. Tall, imposing, crystal clear accent and singular vision.
If the rumours are true about #RobertDowneyJr joining #StarWars as #Thrawn, I'd be happy with that. 👍 That's said, I'd see him more as a Talon Karrde character.
— FUSED (@fusedofficial) January 5, 2021
Ideally someone like Richard E Grant would make a better Thrawn.
Tall, imposing, crystal clear accent and singular vision.— FUSED (@fusedofficial) January 5, 2021
Right now, although rumors run rampant about RDJ’s involvment in showrunner Jon Favreau and executive producer Dave Filoni’s ever-expanding Mandalorian saga, Lucasfilm and Disney have not confirmed anything about the A-list actor appearing in the hit franchise.
Although RDJ is undoubtedly talented, his connection to Iron Man and Marvel Studios could be challenging to overcome in another franchise that falls under the Walt Disney Company banner — the Star Wars creative team would have to make sure that Downey Jr.’s character was different enough from both the superhero and Tony Stark to distance him from his MCU reputation.
Casting the famed actor as Grand Admiral Thrawn is actually a viable solution. Thrawn’s appearance and cool, calculating demeanor — a supervillain instead of a hero — is completely opposite of the charming Iron Man personality RDJ has become known for.
Some rumors have also indicated that Star Wars Rebels voice actor Lars Mikkelsen will be cast as Thrawn in live-action, similarly to how Katee Sackhoff was cast as Bo-Katan Kryze. These reports remain unconfirmed.
