Colby J Smith
The Mandalorian composer Ludwig Göransson has opened up about the delicate arrival of Luke Skywalkers’ theme (technically known as the force theme) in the Disney+ series.
Göransson, who scooped the Emmy award for Outstanding Music Composition for his work on the first season of The Mandalorian, has been praised for creating a soundtrack that sits right up there with the work of legendary Star Wars composer John Williams. The main theme for the Mando is instantly recognisable and has been a hit with fans from the start, and the music in season two has been undoubtedly ratcheted up as the tension and drama of the storyline began to rise.
‘We had a lot of conversations throughout the show,’ Göransson said. ‘We were smart with putting our own stamp on the music through Season 1 but with Season 2 we wanted to flirt with the ‘Star Wars’ themes a little bit.’
It all came to a climax in the season two finale, as Luke Skywalker appeared out of nowhere to save Din Djarin and his team from the unstoppable Dark Troopers and took baby Grogu to safety.
‘I basically wrote a new theme for Luke there because I wanted the reveal to be a surprise, I didn’t want to hint at anything. When you see him show up in the X-Wing there’s electric guitar and a children’s choir playing. It kind of sets the tone. Then by the end, it’s a nice transition from heroic mystery theme into the Force theme.’
Göransson got it just right. The theme hints at mystery and echoes of the past, as we see a lone starship arriving, and slowly builds in drama as we see more and more clues to this shadowy new arrival – the X-Wing, the green lightsaber, the gloved hand. Once again Star Wars has crafted a soundtrack that will carry the strength and emotion of the saga in the minds of viewers long after the credits have rolled.
