Bernd Lorenz
Since June 2007 Non Commercial Fanwebsite
Dieterich Gray Interview
She said, “ You are working on that! It’s called the Mandalorian.”
- Thank you Dieterich Gray for your time for the Star Wars The Mandalorian Fans.
*You’re welcome, Bernd! Happy to talk to you.
How did you get your role as Mos Pelgo Villager in Chapter 9: The Marshal of The Mandalorian?
* I went into the audition, pretty standard procedure, but I didn’t know what I was auditioning for. They kept it very secret. It had a codename, something like, The Strawberry, or something. I can’t remember. So, I go in and read for the part and I end up getting the job. But, I still didn’t know what I’ve been hired for. I go in for a wardrobe fitting, and I’m putting on these clothes: leather, canvas, futuristic. I looked at myself in the mirror and said to the Costume Designer, “ this TV show doesn’t take place on earth, does it?“ She said, “Oh, they didn’t tell you what your shooting?” And she pointed to a throw pillow on a little couch near me. Dotted all over the slip cover of the pillow was: Star Wars… Star Wars… Star Wars… She said, “ You are working on that! It’s called the Mandalorian.” I smiled from ear to ear at the notion of working on something in the Star Wars universe.
Dieterich, Were you a Star Wars fan before you got cast?
* I most definitely was a fan of Star Wars! I grew up going to the movie theater to see the originals. In fact, one of my earliest memories is going to the theater to see “Return of the Jedi“ with my dad. I always dreamed of blasters and light sabers. It was a little boy‘s dream come true to work on a Star Wars project.
- Could you share some funny, remarkable, weird stories regarding the filming of your scenes?
* The role of Mos Pelgo Villager Wasnt much on paper, meaning in the script. Just a couple of lines. But when I got to the set - this enormous desert landscape with replicas of the original Tattooine structures, including that iconic cantina - I was expecting to just do what was on the page. But, the director and creator, Jon Favreau was such a wonderful collaborator and that expectation changed very quickly. He began to trust my skills as an improviser (I studied at Second City in Chicago) and he would throw a few things out for me to say and then give me room to try different things and “go with it”. Then, the cameras would roll and Favreau would call “Action” and little gems would just happen. That’s where we get some of those takes with myself and the Tusken Raiders like, “Are you trying to blow the place up?” It was a joy to work with Favreau and the whole team on set.
- With a role in Star Wars comes a Big Fan Community, what are your first star wars fan experiences?
*The Star Wars fan community is vast and thriving. They have been great! I’ve done some interviews for various platforms, appeared on some podcasts and on panels. I’ve even been interviewed by super fan puppets! I have a panel coming up for the 501st Legion of Storm Troopers on December 18th with some other characters in the Star Wars Universe. It’s been a real joy to interact with the fan community.
- You not only played in Star Wars, you also in American Horror Story , Westworld, The New 30 and some more. What was your favorite role so far?
* i’ve done a lot of things, both big and small. I had a big career in the theater before moving to television. I had a lot of fun playing the villain Jafar in a pre-Broadway tryout of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ in Chicago. I also loved playing the lunatic Renfield in a touring production of ‘Dracula’. But, when it comes to my on-camera work, there’s nothing that holds a candle to my experience working on ‘The Mandalorian’.
- On IMDb i see many movies coming like "All Is Forgiven" , "Blonde" and many more. Is there something special where you are personally looking forward to it?
*Yes, There’s a lot of fun things coming up. I am working on a new thing for HBO about basketball in the 1980s. And I’m really looking forward to the new Marilyn Monroe movie, “Blonde”. That is going to make a huge splash.
- Dieterich , Is there something special you would love to do in the future? A special role or actor to work with?
* i’m going to continue working hard and finding opportunities to tell great stories on stages and screens. A big goal of mine is to one day play a ‘James Bond’ villain. That’s what I’m working toward. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
- Thank you for your time Dieterich Gray and i hope to see you some day on a German Star Wars Convention.
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