Gina Carano Joins ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘The Mandalorian’

By Joe Otterson

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Gina Carano has been cast in “The Mandalorian,” Variety has confirmed with sources.

The exact nature of the actress and former mixed martial arts (MMA) star’s role in the “Star Wars” series is being kept under wraps. She joins Pedro Pascal in the series, whom Variety reported earlier this week was in negotiations to star.

Carano first came to national attention for her MMA prowess, compiling a professional record of 7-1 while competing in organizations like Strikeforce and EliteXC. She also appeared in the 2008 reboot of “American Gladiators.” As an actress, she starred in the Steven Soderbergh “Haywire” and has also starred in films like “Deadpool,” “Fast & Furious 6,” and “Kickboxer: Vengeance.”

She is repped by Gersh and The Syndicate.

Jon Favreau penned “,” which is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. It follows the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. It will air on the Disney streaming service, which has officially been dubbed Disney+.

Disney recently announced that Dave Filoni, who has worked on “: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels,” will direct the first episode of the series. Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, and Deborah Chow will direct additional episodes. Favreau is also executive producing the show, along with Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist will serve as co-executive producer.

Disney also announced in an earnings call last Thursday that it would be doing a prequel series on the “Rogue One” character Cassian Andor , played by Diego Luna.