Pedro Pascal made multiple appearances in Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special over the weekend, and The Mandalorian star may have just proven he can’t wear the Mandalorian armor. Pedro Pascal has shot to stardom the last couple of years with roles in shows like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, and he's now set to star as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Despite this success, many people still attach Pascal’s name to his The Mandalorian character, Din Djarin; however, the actor’s legacy goes beyond that.

Pedro Pascal has starred as Din Djarin since The Mandalorian premiered on Disney+ in 2019, though the actor hasn't always been able to be physically on set. Because Din Djarin wears a helmet for the vast majority of his time onscreen, it hasn’t always been necessary for Pascal to wear the Mandalorian beskar. In fact, for The Mandalorian season 3, Pascal all but confirmed that the role had turned into a voice acting role. However, with Pascal’s appearance on SNL’s 50th Anniversary show, I’m not convinced I need to see him in the Mandalorian suit anymore.

SNL50 Showed How Important Pedro Pascal’s Facial Expressions Are

Particularly the Close Encounters Skit

SNL brought back many former cast and hosts from the last 50 years this past Sunday. One of the marquee names d was Pedro Pascal, and I wasn’t expecting a Star Wars-themed sketch—mainly due to the lack of one when Pascal hosted in 2023—but seeing him appear in the “Close Encounters” sketch was a welcome surprise. Pascal appeared not only in “Close Encounters” but also in the “Domingo: Vow Renewal” sketch where he played Rinaldo, the brother to the recurring character Domingo (played by Marcello Hernandez).

Pascal has previously portrayed Marcello Hernandez's mother twice in "Protective Mother" and "Protective Mother 2", the latter of which included Bad Bunny - who also appeared in the "Domingo: Vow Renewal" sketch.

However, in “Close Encounters,” it became obvious how critical Pascal’s facial expressions are. While the dialogue of the sketch fell heavily on Meryl Streep and SNL alum Kate McKinnon, to me, Pascal sold the sketch. Pascal’s character seemed genuinely interested in McKinnon’s recounting of her alien abduction, and his flirty banter with Streep was not only a sketch highlight but one of the most memorable moments of the entire show. Pedro Pascal was able to give the sketch layers with his facial expressions despite not having a lot to say or do.

Pascal’s Role As Din Djarin Has Become a Voice Acting Role

And That’s Okay

With Pedro Pascal’s increase in work in recent years, it’s been nearly impossible for him to return to the set of The Mandalorian. While fans like myself love seeing the behind-the-scenes of Pascal and other cast on set, it’s clear that it may not be feasible for the actor anymore. Additionally, Pascal isn’t the only actor to don the beskar suit. Most notably, Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder are often the other actors portraying Din Djarin.

This wouldn’t be the first time Star Wars has had more than one actor portray a live-action character. When Darth Maul cameoed in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ray Park, who physically portrayed Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and Sam Witwer, who voiced the character in animated titles, collaborated. By working together, the pair brought two familiar versions of Maul to the big screen. With this in mind, there’s no reason why Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, and Lateef Crowder can’t continue to collaborate to bring Din Djarin to life.

With someone as busy as Pedro Pascal has been, it’s clear that there have been and will continue to be scheduling conflicts between Pascal's filming schedule and Lucasfilm's timelines. This means that it’ll be easier for Pascal and everyone at Lucasfilm if they can record Pascal’s voice when it’s more convenient for everyone. Additionally, it means that Pascal can record his lines as Din Djarin from anywhere, at any time. While fans, including me, would love to see Pedro Pascal’s face come out from under the Mandalorian helmet, it’s alright if that doesn’t happen at all.

Brendan Wayne Should Remain In The Mandalorian Suit

Unless There’s a Helmetless Scene

For the vast majority of Din Djarin’s time onscreen, actor Brendan Wayne has physically portrayed Din Djarin. Except for The Mandalorian season 2, when Wayne briefly stepped back from the role due to Pascal’s involvement as well as a health issue, it’s most often been Wayne behind the mask. As the grandson of legendary actor John Wayne, there’s seemingly no one better to bring the physicality of a space cowboy to life than Brendan Wayne.

With Wayne already doing so much of the physical work of portraying Din Djarin, barring a helmetless scene in Star Wars titles, it’s okay for Pedro Pascal to remain in the voice-acting booth.

With Wayne already doing so much of the physical work of portraying Din Djarin, barring a helmetless scene in Star Wars titles, it’s okay for Pedro Pascal to remain in the voice-acting booth. It's been confirmed that Star Wars movie.

While I love Pedro Pascal, and will happily watch any project he’s in, I just don’t see the need for him to be physically in the Mandalorian armor if he doesn’t have to be. Pascal is highly sought-after and is now the face of multiple franchises, so devoting his time to a character that doesn’t show his face isn’t necessary, especially when it’s worked without him for so long. With Din Djarin’s future unclear after The Mandalorian and Grogu premieres next year, hopefully, The Mandalorian will figure out if and when Pedro Pascal will don the Mandalorian armor again.