Ming-Na Wen’s The Mandalorian character has finally been revealed

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

With roughly a week to go until the launch of THE MANDALORIAN on Disney+, fans of the Star Wars Universe are itching to learn any and all details related to the Jon Favreau's upcoming spin-off series. Thankfully, a new report hailing from Vanity Fair has revealed the name and nature of actress Ming-Na Wen's character, who's poised to enter the Star Wars scene as a sly assassin who's just as clever as she is dangerous.

When THE MANDALORIAN blasts off this November 12th on Disney+, fans will be introduced to Wen's Fennec Shand, a devious master of deception who crosses paths with Pedro Pascal's helmet-clad bounty hunter halfway through the first season of the highly-anticipated series.

“We got our inspiration really from the name. The idea of a dennec fox came to mind,” Wen informed Vanity Fair. “She’s tricky, and yet she’s able to maneuver and survive, and be stealthy—so very graceful and agile. I just love that whole image with the name.”

When asked if her character stands on either the dark or light side of the Force, Wen revealed that her character could be classified as "chaotic neutral," an alignment that in most fantasy circles represents someone who plays both sides, should it benefit their wants and needs.

“Thinking that she’s a mercenary, it can go either way,” Wen said. “I think it remains to be seen.” When elaborating on her previous comment, Wen suggested that Fennec Shand might remind Star Wars fans of Han Solo, in that her interests often serve herself as opposed to others. That being said, Shand's name became known throughout the Star Wars Universe after she'd commited many murders for the galaxy's top crime syndicate, so perhaps she's a bit more deadly than everyone's favorite scruffy-looking nerf herder.

“She is definitely someone who’s loyal to herself,” Wen said.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, THE MANDALORIAN director Dave Filoni said that although the Rebels have sent the Empire packing, the universe doesn't suddenly become sunshine and rainbows. "You get that the Rebels won and they’re trying to establish a Republic, but there’s no way that could have set in for everybody all at once," Filoni said. "You have in a Western where you’re out on the frontier and there might be Washington and they might have some marshals, but sometimes good luck finding one." Series creator Jon Favreau added, "Also, what could happen in the 30 years between celebrating the defeat of the Empire and then the First Order? You come in on Episode VII, [the First Order are] not just starting out. They’re pretty far along… So somehow, things weren’t necessarily managed as well as they could have been if [the galaxy] ended up in hot water again like that." While an appearance from Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) is unlikley to be found pulling the strings from behind the scenes, it might be interesting to see the seeds being planted which will eventually grow into the First Order. Entertainment Weekly added that THE MANDALORIAN "plans to use elements from across the Skywalker saga films, The Clone Wars and other animated series and the Extended Universe in its storytelling."

THE MANDALORIAN follows a lone bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) in the outer reaches of the galaxy who accepts a bounty from a mysterious client (played by Werner Herzog) who wears an Empire insignia around his neck, then goes on to encounter a former Rebel Shock Trooper Cara Dune (Gina Carano), a jowly Ugnaught alien named Kuiil (voiced by Nick Nolte), and a killer droid IG-11 (voiced by Taika Waititi), among other underworld denizens. (via Vanity Fair)

As for Fennec Shand's backstory, Wen had the following to say about her "moving target" character's origin and path along the new series. “It will evolve, it will change. I mean, I think that’s what’s so wonderful about creating a new character,” Wen said. “I think she has a good sense of humor about it all as well, which is also fun. You can’t really pinpoint which direction she’s going to go.”

While speaking with the outlet, Wen also touched on the look of her character, and how it was a bit of a challenge to decide on her hairstyle and armor set for the series. “At first, the idea was maybe just have her hair be loose, unkempt kind of thing,” she revealed. “And I thought, Well, she’s going to be wearing a helmet and she’s this stealth assassin. How great would it be if her hair has a bit of the fennec fox architecture to it? So the hairstylist came up with this great braiding system, that just gives an idea of these triangular points. Like her ears.”

Lastly, when speaking about her own Star Wars history, Wen told Vanity Fair that the original trilogy played an important role in her falling in love with sci-fi cinema. “It’s definitely a film that has had such an impact in so many people’s lives, including my own,” Wen said. “As an Asian kid in Pittsburgh, and especially in Mount Lebanon, sometimes you feel very alone and very isolated. And I think for me, with Star Wars, I connected so much with Luke having these dreams and wanting something bigger and better than being a little farmer in Tatooine. Just that image of him looking at the binary suns and wishing for more, it always stays with me.”

For more of Wen's thoughts on her character, as well as the Star Wars franchise overall, be sure to check out Vanity Fair's full report.

Ming-Na Wen's Fennec Shand will make her villainous Star Wars debut when THE MANDALORIAN premieres on Disney+ this November 12th.