Lucasfilm's "The Mandalorian" started with a intriguing premise that fascinated "Star Wars" fans a little tired of the same old story: a familiar weapon, but essentially new character living on the fringes of the "Star Wars" galaxy after the collapse of the Empire post-"Return Of The Jedi. "Yes, the idea of character was identical to Boba Fett — another Mandalorian tale — and the unidentified Mando warrior was the one.

But as the show unfolded, it became clear what was really being explored and fleshed out was not so much the legacy of Boba Fett, but instead the Mandalorian myth, legend, and warrior culture that was created by Dave Filoni, the animated showrunner, writer, and director of the animated shows “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels.”

Was it any wonder then when writer/director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”)—who voiced a famous Mandalorian villain on ‘Clone Wars’—pitched a ‘Mandalorian’ show his co-creator and creative partner on the show soon became Filoni. Add a little Baby Yoda and the rest is history.

In the fall of 2019, "The Mandalorian" became a splash hit, helping Disney+ when it was released, raising ratings, gaining great acclaim, and then winning 15 Emmy surprise nominations to boot this year, including Outstanding Drama Series — a feat that surprised television insiders. "The Mandalorian" also started with an instantly interesting concept: what if a ruthless bounty hunter who lived under the strictly barbaric code of mercenaries betrayed everything he stood for as a child?

The problem, if there was one, was “The Mandalorian” didn’t really explore that notion much, the idea of a warrior and cold-blooded killer finding his humanity, instead favoring a “Bonanza”-like concept of Mando and Baby Yoda encountering new towns and guest stars each week in their furthering adventures. Still, it was more than enough for audiences.

But the ideas rooted in season one of 'Mandalorian'—using elements of the animated shows and bringing them to life in live-action — seem to bear huge fruit in season two. Another weapon from 'Clone Wars' & 'Rebels,' the Mandalorian Dark Saber—the equivalent of a lightsaber to their culture—was revealed at the end of the first season and looks like a big plot point in season two.

In addition, several reports and rumors point to the inaugural live-action inclusion of numerous 'Clone Wars' and 'Rebels' characters including Commander Rex (Temuera Morrison), ex-Jedi Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson), and Sabine Wren (Morrison is also rumored to appear as Boba Fett himself, but that's not confirmed).

Unfortunately, the latest trailer for season two "The Mandalorian" doesn't tease any of those characters. Also back for more this season are Pedro Pascal as the title character, the Baby Yoda doll, of course, Carl Weathers as Greek Karga, Gina Carano as ex-Storm shock troop Cara Dune, and Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, a former secret police officer of the Galactic Empire who now owns the dark sabre.

Additional characters on the season also briefly teased are played by Michael Biehn, Timothy Olyphant, and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze, yet another animated character come to life and the former ruler of Mandalore and leader of a Mandalorian group called the Nite Owls.

Season two is made up of eight episodes and new directors on this year's series include Jon Favreau himself who didn't direct in season one, Peyton Reed, Robert Rodriguez and Carl Weathers in reality. Already looking like it's widening and jumping off the popular animated series, Favreau has teased a wider plot creation beyond just the Mandalorian himself (perhaps this is where all these animation-to-live-action characters come in).

"When we add more characters, chances are there to pursue various plots," says Favreau. "The world was very captivated by 'Game of Thrones' and how it progressed as the players pursued various storylines—that is really fascinating to me as a part of the audience."

"The Mandalorian" season two — which ended on October 30 just before the March pandemic struck, fortunate to them — airs on Disney+. Look down at the new trailer and try to find all the potential guest stars, cameos and more.