THE MANDALORIAN Star Timothy Olyphant Is Finally Returning as Cobb Vanth... in a LEGO Movie
Cobb Vanth is finally riding back into Star Wars, just probably not in the way fans expected.
After The Book of Boba Fett left Timothy Olyphant’s fan-favorite Marshal alive, recovering in a Bacta Tank and seemingly destined for another live-action adventure, the character disappeared from the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Now Olyphant is officially returning to voice Vanth in the upcoming animated special LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
It may not resolve that dangling Book of Boba Fett storyline, but getting Olyphant back as Cobb Vanth is still pretty cool.
A first look at LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian debuted during last weekend’s D23, and Disney+ has since revealed the full voice cast for the standalone movie.
Interestingly, Pedro Pascal won’t be voicing Din Djarin this time around. Gavin Hammon, who also appears in Stranger Things: Tales from '85, will take over as Mando.
Plenty of familiar Star Wars performers are returning, though, including Amy Sedaris as Peli Motto, Bill Burr as Migs Mayfield, Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze, Emily Swallow as The Armorer, Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, Matthew Wood as Bib Fortuna, Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand, Nick Nolte as Kuiil, Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, Taika Waititi as IG-11/IG-12, and Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett.
Carl Lumbly, who appeared in Captain America: Brave New World, will voice Greef Karga, taking over the role previously played by the late Carl Weathers.
Then there's Olyphant, whose return as Cobb Vanth should be a welcome surprise for anyone who has been wondering what the hell happened to the character.
Vanth made his live-action debut in The Mandalorian Season 2 premiere, where Din Djarin discovered that the Marshal of Freetown had gotten his hands on Boba Fett's armor and was using it to protect his people.
Din initially wanted the armor returned, but the two eventually joined forces to take on a Krayt Dragon. Vanth handed over the armor after the fight, allowing it to eventually make its way back to Boba Fett.
Vanth resurfaced in The Book of Boba Fett when Din attempted to recruit him to help Fett fight the Pyke Syndicate. Unfortunately, Cad Bane arrived before Vanth could join the battle and challenged him to a duel.
Vanth was shot, and for a moment, it looked like Star Wars had killed off one of the coolest characters introduced during the Disney+ era.
The show's post-credits scene revealed otherwise. Vanth was alive inside Boba Fett's Bacta Tank, with the Mod Artist preparing to give him cybernetic enhancements. It looked like an obvious tease for his next chapter, but years later, fans are still waiting to find out what became of the upgraded Marshal.
Olyphant previously said that he'd happily put Vanth's gear back on whenever the Star Wars team wanted him.
"If I had [talks with Filoni], I wouldn’t tell you. Honestly, I can tell you that I’ve been very, very lucky with those guys. I’ve only done two episodes and to have only done those two episodes and feel like you’re part of a world and they created such a memorable character."
He continued: "I mean, you know, I’m getting away with something here. I did two episodes and I’ve got like four toys out there. It’s ridiculous, and I know it because all of a sudden there are people at the airport with toys. That’s new. But, it was a ball working on those things and those guys know if they call me I’d show up."
Olyphant added: "I don’t care if it’s a big giant thing or just to show up for an afternoon," Olyphant added. "It’s a fun gig."
Well, they finally called him. It just happens to be for a LEGO version of Cobb Vanth.
Based on Star Wars, created by George Lucas, and inspired by The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian is directed by Chris Buckley and written by Michael Price.
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian premieres September 2 on Disney+.