How The Mandalorian Brought Bo-Katan To Life After Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Much like our own galaxy, the Star Wars Universe is ever-expanding. Since Disney+'s launch in 2019, several contemporary classic Star Wars characters have jumped from animated series to live-action adaptations, most recently with the Rebels cast.

Before then, The Mandalorian brought to life a few characters from the iconic Clone Wars animated television series, mainly the Mandalorian ruler herself, Bo-Katan Kryze, with actress Katee Sackhoff reprising her role. It wasn't the easiest feat adapting animation legend Genndy Tartakovsk's distinctive art style and shaping it for a live-action series. Still, executive producer Dave Filoni had specific ideas to bring her into the fold.

"One thing that Dave conveyed was the very feminine, but very warrior shape," said costume designer Shawna Trpcic, during a new behind-the-scenes featurette from The Mandalorian Season 2's Blu-ray steelbook release. "Coming into the visor, the concept for this came from Dave Filoni and was very inspired by an owl."

Filoni explained how he wanted her to look different from the start to set her apart from other Mandalorians, all the way down to her T-visor, which is reminiscent of a barn owl--a choice Filloni credits his wife's love of owls with. "I drew it on a flight from [Los Angeles] on a napkin. I came up with that helmet design."

Trpcic explained that due to the action-oriented nature of the character, the suit had to be built for stunts and mobility. "Everything was sculpted, and because of her stunts it's pliable so she wouldn't get hurt. Katee did some of her own stunts where she would slide across the floor on her knees and tore it up a little bit." Trpcic praised the actress saying she was magnificent and said the suit held together like a real military costume would.

The Mandalorian Seasons 1 and 2 hits shelves for the first time on Blu-ray and 4K in collectible steelbooks on December 12. Both releases include special features.