Jon Favreau: Keeping Baby Yoda secret was worth it, even at the expense of holiday merchandise sales

The Hollywood Reporter

“He’s mostly a puppet," Favreau tells The Hollywood Reporter of The Mandalorian's breakout star. "When it’s CG, we try to make him obey the same physical laws that he would if he were a puppet. I think a lot of times CG makes itself too obvious where you don’t create parameters creatively that allow the character to keep the same identity and charm." Favreau says "we'll learn more about him over the course of the season," adding that part of Baby Yoda's appeal is the mystery surrounding him. "I think what's great about what George (Lucas) created is that Yoda proper, the character that we grew up watching, was always shrouded in mystery, and that was what made him so archetypal and so mythic," says Favreau. "We know who he is based on his behavior and what he stands for, but we don't know a lot of details about where he comes from or his species. I think that's why people are so curious about this little one of the same species." Favreau also explains the reason for keeping Baby Yoda a secret, even if it meant that Baby Yoda toys wouldn't be available before Christmas. “I think that part of what people really value is to be surprised and delighted, and I think that’s becoming all too rare,” he said. “It’s very difficult to keep secrets about projects you’re working on. By holding back on that one product, we knew that we may have had the disadvantage of not having toys available day and date, but what we got in exchange was an excitement surrounding the character, because everybody felt like they discovered him together. That emulated more what my experience growing up was like.” ALSO: At least 39 people have gotten Baby Yoda tattoos.