The Mandalorian’s Bill Burr Recounts His Migs Mayfield Casting in the Star Wars Series

Bill Burr recently shared how he joined the Star Wars universe in the hit series The Mandalorian.

Per Wired, the answer lies in the vision of The Mandalorian creator, Jon Favreau. A self-professed fan of Burr’s comedic work, Favreau found inspiration in an unlikely place: Burr’s podcast, where the comedian frequently jests about Star Wars. This sense of humor, rather than being a deterrent, was exactly what Favreau was looking for.

As Burr recounts, their first meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party led to an unexpected offer: a role in the upcoming series. He said,

”
I ended up on The Mandalorian through Jon Favreau, who listened to my podcast.
He used to always hear me making fun of Star Wars, and thought it was funny. [I] ended up meeting him at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
He goes, ‘You know, there’s a part in there that we’re writing right now, and we think you would be good for it.’
And I was like, ‘You know, Jon, I’ve got to be honest with you. I always kind of make fun of Star Wars. Not in a malicious way, it’s just I see people really enjoying something, and I just know that’s an easy hit. If I make fun of it, I can really just watch them get upset. It fills up my day for whatever reason.'”

Burr’s initial reaction was one of skepticism, but Favreau’s assurance that Burr’s unique perspective would add a layer of humor and realism to the show convinced him to take the leap. “My better half, Nia, was kicking me under the table,” Burr joked, reflecting on the moment he agreed to join the cast.

Burr’s foray into the Star Wars universe came in 2019 when he debuted as Migs Mayfield in the inaugural season of The Mandalorian. His portrayal of the sharp-tongued mercenary quickly became a fan favorite, leading to a reprisal of the role in the show’s second season.

From Skeptic to Star: Bill Burr’s Transformation on The Mandalorian Set

Stepping onto the set of The Mandalorian was a surreal experience for Burr. Surrounded by elaborate alien costumes and futuristic set pieces, he felt like he had been transported into a scene from The Muppets Take Manhattan. However, any initial amusement quickly gave way to admiration for his fellow actors’ talent and dedication. Burr shared,

“And I was like, ‘Alright, yeah! Let’s do it. Let’s do it.’ So, I get down there, and the first scene I’m doing, I’m in a spaceship. And I’m the only guy who looks like a person. Everybody else has all this crazy makeup on, and
I’m sitting in there, and I really feel like I’m in The Muppets Take Manhattan.
So, we’re going to rehearse the scene, and I’m trying not to laugh. The actors were so amazing, immediately, that all went away. I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to get my ass kicked in this.’
I was totally locked in, and I ended up having a great time.
”

The comedian’s experience on the show was not just a professional milestone but a personal revelation. Seeing the first trailer for The Mandalorian, Burr was awestruck by the series’ cinematic quality and its homage to classic spaghetti westerns. “It looked like Clint Eastwood was doing Star Wars,” he remarked. This moment of awe transformed his view of the franchise, turning a once-cynical critic into a genuine admirer.

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Burr looks back on his role in The Mandalorian as one of the highlights of his career. He has come to appreciate the passion of Star Wars fans, acknowledging their enthusiasm even as he continues to playfully rib the series. “Star Wars fans are cool as hell,” he declared, a statement that underscores his journey from skeptic to celebrated member of the Star Wars family.