The Mandoverse has developed solidly and consistently since the first episode of the hit Disney Plus show The Mandalorian arrived back in 2019, carving out a corner of the Star Wars galaxy that uses the backdrop of the political landscape half a decade beyond Return of the Jedi focusing on its own characters (with some notable character cameos along the way). Of these new characters there’s one who has quietly and stoically become a vital thread between these shows; Captain Carson Teva, as played by South Korean-Canadian actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Lee described his arrival into the Star Wars galaxy in a recent interview.
“[Deborah Chow] said, ‘I was trying to get in touch with you because Dave Filoni saw Kim’s Convenience and really liked your work in it, and he wants to write you something.’ I immediately had a heart attack.
It was my first role in the United States as an actor (I’ve worked on US productions before, but always in Canada), and I didn’t have to audition for it. There were many, many times I wept because I was just so happy … I never thought I would ever get this opportunity, to sort of live up my childhood dreams. And there I was, a trained professional, an award winning actor from Canada, coming to the United States in his first ever role being directed by Carl Weathers, and then Peyton Reed, and meeting Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, and having all of Hollywood sort of around, it was dizzying,”
Now ensconced in the galaxy, Lee would soon learn just how important the character of Carson Teva was.
“I had no idea of the importance or what plans they had with the character of Carson Teva. I just knew what part my character played in certain scenes, and the rest was kind of a mystery. But then when the dots started to connect, it was a really cool thing. It’s a great honor to be able to play this character who is sort of the connective tissue between these universes.
He’s a man of action who has been searching and digging, he sees patterns, he sees what’s happening. He can’t convince people that it’s as serious as he knows it’s going to be. That’s the dramatic irony, we all know what happens twenty years down the road. He’s kind of like the prophet Cassandra who is just doomed to be ignored even though they can see the future. I still have no idea where this is all leading. I’m just gratified and so happy that Jon and Dave want to keep me on board and play this character who is becoming more and more important.”
It’s a fantastic and warm interview that’s well worth a read in full, so head to Tatooine Times and check it out.
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 03/05/2024 (Publication Date) - Titan Comics (Publisher)
