Gina Carano will now be part of the Star Wars universe, and will be starring along side Pedro Pascal.
Gina Carano is continuing to have a successful acting career after her fighting days. The former mixed martial arts star has just been announced to have a starring role on the upcoming Star Wars series titled “The Mandalorian.”
This would be Star Wars’ first live-action TV series, and they’re bringing a star-studded cast to the show that will be exclusively on the Disney+ streaming service. Pedro Pascal, who is known for roles in Narcos and Game of Thrones, will play the title role of The Mandalorian fighter.
Also on the cast with Pascal and Carano are Nick Nolte (Affliction, Warrior), Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring from Breaking Bad), Emily Swallow (Supernatural), Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from Rocky), Omid Abtahi (The Hunger Games, American Gods), and Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man).
Jon Favreau, who directed films such as Iron Man, Jungle Book and the upcoming Lion King movie, will be the writer and executive producer of this show that is currently in production.
The Mandalorian is set between the fall of the empire after Episode VI, and before the rise of the First Order on Episode VII. The plot will follow the “travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.”
Carano also took so social media shortly after the announcement of her involvement.
“Guess the word is out and official. I’m so damn excited to be a part of this galaxy, there are no words,” Carano wrote. “Thanks for having me Star Wars hope we make you proud.”
Considered as the former face of Women’s MMA, Carano brought mainstream attention to the sport long before the UFC even allowed females to compete in the promotion.
She started in Muay Thai, and eventually switched to mixed martial arts, where she compiled a 7-1 record. The 36-year-old last fought in 2009, dropping the only loss in her career to current UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg.
Since then she has moved to Hollywood and continued to find success. She has played the lead in multiple smaller films, and is more known for her roles in big budget blockbusters such as Deadpool and Fast & Furious 6.
Carano will also appear in the upcoming Jay and Silent Bob comedy called “Madness in the Method.”