Sorry Star Wars Fans: James Mangold Is NOT directing ‘The Mandalorian’

Do you scour the Internet for any Star Wars news you can find like we do? If so, you probably came across a report that James Mangold was set to direct an episode of The Mandalorian in Season 2. Mangold, of course, directed Logan, the epic, final installment of the Wolverine franchise. Fans were ecstatic to hear the news. That, coupled with the fact that he was taking over as director for Indiana Jones 5, made for some great news out of Disney. Except that, in this case, it’s not the least bit true.

Director Ron Howard (Solo: A Star Wars Story) took to twitter to congratulate daughter Bryce Dallas Howard. She, as we know, directed an episode of The Mandalorian in Season 1 (“Sanctuary”). She’s coming back for Season 2. In the same tweet, Howard announced that Robert Rodriguez and James Mangold would be directing as well. Unfortunately, Ron Howard was wrong.

James Mangold is NOT directing The Mandalorian

In response to Howard’s tweet, Mangold himself replied:

Hey Ron. I’m so pleased if it’s true about Bryce directing another part of Mandalorian, but I can tell you its not true about me. Not doing it, never discussed it. And I suggest fans should look at who’s “reporting” this & make a note that these sites present conjecture as fact.

— Mangold (@mang0ld) February 29, 2020

So there you have it folks, straight from the fingertips of James Mangold. He is not directing an episode of The Mandalorian Season 2, after all. Perhaps the best part of this story, however, was Taika Waititi’s response to both Howard and Mangold. Taika Waititi, of course, voiced IG-11 and directed Season 1’s epic finale:

Don’t lie, James. Be proud of your Mangoldorian Christmas Special.”

Yes, the Star Wars Holiday Special lives on, in the Internet, and in jest with Star Wars directors. Er, well, with one Star Wars director, at least.

Not James Mangold.

The Mandalorian returns to Disney+ for Season 2 this October.