Warning! SPOILERS ahead for The Mandalorian season two.
Pedro Pascal knew Baby Yoda’s real name before filming The Mandalorian season two. The second season of The Mandalorian was full of surprises, from Ahsoka Tano’s live-action debut to Luke Skywalker’s appearance in the season finale. However, one of the biggest surprises from season two of the Disney Plus hit series was Baby Yoda’s real name, Grogu.
It was a shocker to the audience and Din Djarin himself when Baby Yoda’s real name was unveiled in “Chapter 13: The Jedi.” After communicating with Baby Yoda through the force, Ahsoka told Djarin that his adorable green companion’s name was Grogu. Seeing Grogu perk up when Djarin called him by his real name confirmed to the Mandalorian that Ahsoka was correct. Although the debut of the name Grogu was surprising in the show’s universe, it was even more so in real-life, as fans had grown accustomed to calling Grogu Baby Yoda since season one. Even The Mandalorian showrunner Jon Favreau admitted that he still calls Grogu Baby Yoda.
Thankfully Pascal had some time to prepare for Baby Yoda’s big name reveal. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Pascal explained why he wasn’t shocked by the Grogu reveal during Chapter 13: The Jedi. Check out what Pascal had to say about the matter below.
“I did know. [I knew] at the start of season two. When I got the scripts for season two. For it [The Mandalorian] to be as good as is it they are well prepared to start shooting. My favorite thing about it is how part of the creative process [I am.] I’m invited to at least observe, experience and contribute you know, whatever will occur to me [Din Djarin.] Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni get me the scripts before we get into shooting so I know it all.”
It makes sense that Pascal was given the heads up about Baby Yoda’s real name. (And apparently, the Internet knew as well months ago, thanks to a legit Reddit leak.) After all, Djarin’s main task for season two was to find a Jedi to train Grogu so he could have more control over his Force powers. And nothing beat that first moment when Grogu heard Djarin call him by his real name. Of course, Djarin does occasionally struggle with the name change, slipping right back to calling Grogu “kid.”
In a way, Djarin discovering Baby Yoda’s real name was the sad beginning of their inevitable goodbye. Djarin knows that he has to let Grogu go eventually, especially when he realizes through Ahsoka’s initial Force training just how powerful his unofficially adopted green son is. (And Grogu’s tragic backstory.) It’s not really about the name Grogu itself, but the weight of what Baby Yoda’s real name represents. No longer is Baby Yoda or the Child a mystery. Grogu’s training at the Jedi Temple was cut tragically short by the actions of Order 66 and the slaughter of the Grogu’s fellow younglings. As a result, Grogu is still incredibly strong in the Force, but he’s still weak in his lack of proper training on how to wield said Force powers without passing out from exhaustion.
Djarin’s choice to let Grogu go with Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian season two finale was sad but necessary. In the end, it didn’t matter what name Baby Yoda or Grogu was called. At that moment, it was just a Mandalorian revealing his face to his son for the first time, letting him go out of love and reminding him not to be afraid.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
Originally from https://screenrant.com/mandalorian-pedro-pascal-baby-yoda-real-name-revealed/