Who Rules the Galaxy? Baby Yoda

The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda has spawned thousands of memes, stolen the hearts of millions world-wide and was the No. 1 Thing We’re Thankful For (Right Now) in Geek TV. Now, we are getting a glimpse into the story behind the story.

In a piece for Variety titled Baby Yoda Has Conquered the World, Anthony Breznican documents the adorable character’s trajectory from original concept art to how there was a decision by Walt Disney not to have Baby Yoda merchandise ready at The Mandalorian’s premiere to avoid spoilers.

In what may be the most poignant part of the article, Breznican quotes Deborah Chow, who directed episode three of The Mandalorian.

“I had a day with one of the weirdest moments I’ve ever had directing,” she told Vanity Fair. “I was directing Werner with the puppet, and Werner had just fallen in love with the baby. Werner, I think, had forgotten it wasn’t actually a live creature, and started sort of…directing the baby.”

It’s as charming, but no less surreal. “Werner is talking to the baby as if it was a real thing. And I’m trying to direct Werner,” Chow said. “And I’m just like, How did I get here? How did my life end up like this?”

Then…she also found herself directing the puppet as if it were alive. “It was pretty magical,” Chow said. “I worked with the puppeteers and the visual effects [artists], and just worked with it like it was an actor. They’re the ones who gave it humanity, who gave it life.”

The article points out that the Baby Yoda phenomena has been big business for creators on Etsy. And in fact, this author snagged a Baby Yoda T-Shirt off Etsy because a Baby Yoda Funko is not yet available. #SadBabyYoda

Have you succumbed to the adorable force of The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda? Have you already snagged some Baby Yoda merchandise off Etsy or are you waiting for official swag?

Let us know in the comments below!

Read the entire feature at Variety.