Pedro Pascal did not ‘feel any pressure’ when joining Star Wars franchise

By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Pedro Pascal has said he did not “feel any pressure at all” as one of the newer faces of the globally successful Star Wars franchise because he was in “the best hands”.

George Lucas’s sci-fi film series began in the 1970s, was revived in the 2010s with a new era of stories that included some original cast members, and has since spawned multiple spin-off movies and TV series.

Pascal, 51, joined the franchise in 2018 to headline Disney’s hit spin-off series The Mandalorian, which has been adapted into a feature film out later this month.

Speaking to the Press Association at a UK fan event for Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu, the Chilean-American actor reflected on the pressures and expectations of joining the beloved franchise.

He said: “I’m a huge fan. I was born in (1975), so my childhood was shaped by going to see Star Wars movies.

“The pressure (of joining the franchise) is something that you can put on yourself, no matter the size of what you’re getting into.”

He praised Jon Favreau – who wrote, produced and directed the latest film – as the “best of the best”, adding: “You’re in the best hands, and therefore you don’t feel any pressure at all.

“You’re just part of a huge team of people that love what they do, love what they’re making, and are all part of this big action adventure.”

Pascal wore a casual navy blazer over a grey knit sweater vest with matching navy trousers to the event at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on Thursday.

Fans screamed as he arrived on the black carpet, flanked by co-stars including US actress Sigourney Weaver.

Weaver, 76, no stranger to sci-fi as the star of the Alien film franchise, wore a black leather jacket and matching trousers, with her dark hair styled in a chic slicked-back look.

Also at the event was Favreau, who acted in Marvel’s Iron Man film franchise. He wore a grey T-shirt and blazer, paired with black jeans and white trainers for a monochrome look.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu will be available to watch in cinemas across the UK from May 22.