The galaxy has a new villain, and according to Jonny Coyne, even he can’t compete with Grogu.
Table Of Content
Following the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu, I had the chance to sit down with Coyne, who plays the mysterious Lord Janu in the highly anticipated Star Wars adventure.
RELATED: The Mandalorian and Grogu Premiere Takes Over Los Angeles
For Coyne, landing the role wasn’t the result of a traditional audition process.
“Every actor’s going to hate me about this,” he joked. “I honestly don’t know how I got the job.”
The actor explained that after originally being booked for several episodes of The Mandalorian series, the project evolved into a feature film. What he expected to be a small appearance quickly became something much larger.
“I was told I was going to be in the movie to some degree, and then suddenly they told me I was going to be a significant character in the film,” Coyne shared.
While Coyne has worked on numerous productions throughout his career, he admitted that the scale of The Mandalorian & Grogu was unlike anything he had experienced before.
“The size and scope of it was magnificent,” he said. “It’s something that probably won’t happen again in my lifetime.”
Bringing Humanity to Lord Janu
RELATED: Disney D23: Best Highlights and Everything You Need to Know From Theme Parks, Films, and TV
When it came to developing Lord Janu, Coyne revealed that director Jon Favreau gave him a very specific direction during an early conversation.
“He told me I was going to be the most human part of the movie,” Coyne explained. “That I would bring the human element to the story.”
Favreau showed him early concept artwork and designs for Janu’s world, which immediately reminded Coyne of classic Bond villains.
“His lair was really a Bond lair. His office was definitely a Bond office,” Coyne laughed.
With limited backstory available, Coyne leaned into those influences while creating the character, imagining a villain connected to both the criminal underworld and remnants of the Empire.
“Any villain in Star Wars has probably crossed paths with a lot of bad people,” he said.
Grogu Still Rules the Galaxy
Like many fans, Coyne quickly discovered that Grogu remains the true star of the franchise.
“You can’t compete with Grogu,” he admitted.
Behind the scenes, the actor frequently interacted with the beloved character between takes.
“You give Grogu a little tickle and his ears move and his eyes move,” Coyne said. “It’s quite amazing, really.”
The actor praised the team responsible for bringing Grogu to life and joked that there is a reason the movie is called The Mandalorian & Grogu.
“They are the stars of the show.”
Running Up the Razor Crest
When asked if there was a moment during filming that stood out above the rest, Coyne didn’t hesitate.
His first day on set involved running up the Razor Crest.
“I couldn’t believe I was standing there looking at the Razor Crest in the studio,” he recalled. “My job that day was just to run up the ramp as fast as I could.”
For a lifelong actor, stepping into one of the most beloved franchises in entertainment was a surreal experience.
“It’s still amazing to me that I’m part of it.”
Could Lord Janu Return?
As for the future of Lord Janu, Coyne is keeping expectations in check.
“I’ve already hit the jackpot,” he said.
While fans are already theorizing about what comes next, Coyne is simply grateful to have joined the Star Wars universe.
“It’s an actor’s dream to be in one of these movies.”
When I jokingly suggested that perhaps Lord Janu could one day become one of the good guys, Coyne immediately shut the idea down.
“It’s not going to happen,” he laughed. “Nobody’s going to tell me as a good guy.”
Jonny Coyne’s Favorite Film Might Surprise You
Outside of Star Wars, Coyne revealed that his favorite movie of all time is the classic war drama The Battle of the River Plate.
The actor passionately described the film’s blend of politics, history, and unforgettable performances, calling it one of the greatest films ever made and encouraging audiences to seek it out.
For now, though, Star Wars fans can look forward to seeing Coyne bring Lord Janu to life on the big screen, adding another memorable villain to a galaxy far, far away.
And if Coyne gets his wish, this won’t be the last we’ve seen of Lord Janu.
