Paz Vizsla

Paz Vizsla is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise who appears in the Disney+ television series The Mandalorian. He is a member of a tribe of Mandalorian warriors along with the show's protagonist, who is known simply as "The Mandalorian". Paz initially clashes with him, but later assists the Mandalorian's rescue of "The Child" from a remnant of the Galactic Empire.

Paz Vizsla
Star Wars character
Paz Vizsla in The Mandalorian
First appearance"Chapter 3: The Sin" (2019) (The Mandalorian)
Created byJon Favreau
Portrayed byTait Fletcher
Voiced byJon Favreau
In-universe information
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
OccupationMandalorian heavy infantry warrior

Strong and physically imposing, Paz is a heavy infantry fighter who uses a large minigun-like blaster, as well as a jet pack. Paz Vizsla is voiced by Jon Favreau, the creator and showrunner of The Mandalorian. Favreau also voiced Pre Vizsla, another Mandalorian character with the same last name, in the computer-animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In-universe, Viszla is the name of one of the largest Mandalorian clans, so it makes sense that another character with the same last name would appear (though it is unknown if Paz was born into the clan or if he was a Foundling.) The live-action body double for Paz Vizsla was Tait Fletcher, a stunt performer and former mixed martial artist, who also played a different character in the season premiere of The Mandalorian.

Paz Vizsla has received a positive response from fans and reviewers; Inverse writer Jake Kleinman called him a "fan-favorite character" who made a large impact despite his relatively brief running time.[1] Several action figures and toys of the character have been produced and sold.

Appearances

Paz Vizsla is one of the Mandalorian warriors in the tribe on a secret enclave on the planet Nevarro led by the Armorer during the events of the first season of the Star Wars television series The Mandalorian.[2] The Mandalorians are in hiding after having suffered persecution by the Galactic Empire, and although the Empire has fallen out of power by this time, the clan has not yet regained its former status.[3] Paz is a heavy infantry fighter,[4][5] who uses a large minigun-like blaster,[4][6][7] as well as a jet pack.[1][8][9] He appears in the episode "Chapter 3: The Sin". When the show's title character, a bounty hunter known simply as "The Mandalorian", brings beskar steel to the Armorer for her to forge him new armor, Paz angrily observes that the steel was provided by a remnant of the Empire. Paz objects to the Mandalorian collaborating with Imperials,[7][8][10] and the two of them draw knives and begin to fight each other as a result,[4][6] but they stop when the Armorer intervenes.[2][8]

Later in the episode, when the Mandalorian is attacked by multiple bounty hunters after he rescued a young alien known as "The Child" from the Imperial remnant, multiple Mandalorian warriors come out of hiding to assist the Mandalorian and attack the bounty hunters, including Paz.[7][8][10] The episode ends with Paz using his jet pack to fly alongside the Mandalorian's spaceship,[8][9] with Paz saluting the Mandalorian before flying away.[8] As a result of revealing their presence, the Mandalorian tribe is later destroyed by the Imperials. However, the Armorer noted that some of the warriors may have escaped off-world, leaving Paz's fate unknown.[1][11][12] A pile of helmets belonging to the slain warriors are shown in the season finale "Chapter 8: Redemption", and fans have noted that Paz's helmet was not among them, suggesting his possible survival.[1]

Characterization

Paz Vizsla is physically imposing, displaying great height and tremendous strength.[4][9][13] Tough and aggressive,[7][14] he is good in a fight, as seen by his efficiency in attacking and repelling multiple bounty hunters during the climactic scene in "Chapter 3: The Sin".[13] Paz has a brash and confident personality, and is more outspoken than most of the other Mandalorians in his tribe; Scott Snowden of Space.com called him "the alpha-Mandalorian in the room".[7] Paz despises the Galactic Empire due to its persecution and destruction of the Mandalorian people. His hatred for the Empire runs so deep that he opposes any collaboration or association with them whatsoever. This distinguishes him from the show's title character, the Mandalorian, who reluctantly accepts a bounty hunting assignment from Imperials, a decision that ultimately leads to a brief physical skirmish between him and Paz.[8][15]

However, Paz has a respect for the Mandalorian culture and his tribe that supersedes his personal feelings of distaste toward the Empire. This is displayed by the fact that he willing to step down from his fight with the Mandalorian when the tribe's leader, the Armorer, reminds them of the moral code and way of the Mandalorian people.[4] Despite their previous differences, Paz and the Mandalorian ultimately display a mutual respect for each other.[7][16] This is demonstrated by his willingness to place his own safety and that of his tribe at risk to help the Mandalorian at the end of "Chapter 3: The Sin".[7] When the Mandalorian notes that this action places the sanctuary of the tribe's enclave at risk, Paz responds with the clan's credo, "This is the Way", highlighting his respect for both the tribe and for the Mandalorian himself. Snowden called this "a genuine lump-in-the-throat moment as the Mandalorian's comrades have sacrificed everything to help the bounty hunter do the right thing".[7] The mutual admiration between Paz and the Mandalorian is also evident in their final scene together, when Paz salutes the Mandalorian before they part ways.[1][8]

Portrayal
Paz Vizsla is voiced by Jon Favreau, the creator and showrunner of The Mandalorian.

Paz Vizsla is voiced by Jon Favreau, the creator and showrunner of The Mandalorian.[16][17][18] Favreau also previously voiced a Mandalorian warlord named Pre Vizsla on the computer-animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, though any possible relation between Paz and Pre remains unknown.[1][8][9] Tait Fletcher, a stunt performer and former mixed martial artist, was the live-action body double for Paz Vizsla, with his face unseen due to Paz's helmet.[8][10][19] Fletcher also appeared in the series premiere "Chapter 1: The Mandalorian", in which he played an unnamed man who gets into a bar fight with the Mandalorian.[9][10][14] That was the role Fletcher initially accepted when he joined The Mandalorian, and was not aware he would also be playing Paz Vizsla until later. He described Paz as "a galvanizing character that really exposes the ferocity and dignity with which we hold the Code of the Mandalorians."[20] Paz Vizsla's name is not spoken in "Chapter 3: The Sin", but the character is identified by name in the closing credits.[9][14][21]

Critical reception

Paz Vizsla has received a positive response from fans and reviewers. Inverse writer Jake Kleinman called him a "fan-favorite character" who "made a big splash" despite his relatively brief running time, particularly describing his salute to the Mandalorian as an "iconic" moment.[1] Bayani Miguel Acebedo of Epicstream described him as "undoubtedly one of the more memorable Mandos in the show".[22] James Whitbrook of Gizmodo called him a "badass character" and "unsung hero" of the series who "looks cool as hell".[23] Niner Times writer Noah Howell called the character "just the best", and particularly praised the scene in which Paz and the other Mandalorians rescue the protagonist at the end of "Chapter 3: The Sin".[24] A headline for a /Film story by Ethan Anderton described him as an "awesome new The Mandalorian character that isn't Baby Yoda".[4] Christopher Marc of HN Entertainment called Paz an "interesting new character" who he hopes to see again.[6] Scott Snowden of Space.com said he "looks like the product of a marriage twixt Boba Fett and War Machine".[7]

Merchandise

An action figure of Paz Vizsla has been released by Hot Toys, though it is identified only as "Heavy Infantry Mandalorian".[5][22][25] The figure is 12.5 in (32 cm) in height, taller than most Star Wars Hot Toys figurines due to the character's larger size, and includes such accessories as a minigun blaster, alternate hands, a knife, a themed base to pose him upon, and special effects pieces for his jetpack to simulate rocket blasts.[23] Additionally, a Funko Pop figurine of Paz Vizsla was announced on December 31, 2019.[26][27][28] Hasbro also released a 6 in (15 cm) action figure of Paz as part of the company's Star Wars: The Black Series toy line.[4][13][29]

References
  1. Kleinman, Jake (February 5, 2020). "The Mandalorian Season 2 could bring back this fan-favorite for a spinoff, Disney hints". Inverse. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  2. Saavedra, John (December 27, 2019). "Star Wars: The Mandalorian Ending Explained". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  3. Babu, Armaan (December 2, 2019). "'The Mandalorian' star Emily Swallow talks about The Armorer and importance of keeping traditions of Mandalore alive". MEA Worldwide. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  4. Anderton, Ethan (November 25, 2019). "Awesome New 'The Mandalorian' Character That Isn't Baby Yoda Is Getting a 'Star Wars' Black Series Figure". /Film. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  5. Snowden, Scott (November 29, 2019). "'The Mandalorian' Episode 4 is a Nod to a Classic Western Movie Trope". Space.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  6. Marc, Christopher (November 22, 2019). "Spoilers: Deborah Chow's Episode of 'The Mandalorian' Introduces Us To Paz Vizla". HN Entertainment. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  7. Snowden, Scott (November 22, 2019). "'The Mandalorian' Episode 3 Sees the Hunter Become the Hunted". Space.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  8. Girolamo, Dan (January 3, 2020). "The Mandalorian: Who Plays Paz Vizla (Under The Armor)". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  9. Breznican, Anthony (November 22, 2019). "The Mandalorian Episode Three Easter Eggs: Life Day, Iron Man, Princess Leia, and More". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  10. Dumaraog, Ana (November 22, 2019). "Jon Favreau's Mandalorian Episode 3 Cameo Confirmed". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  11. Joest, Mick (January 8, 2020). "The Mandalorian Season 1: Episode 8 Ending Explained". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  12. Keane, Sean (December 27, 2019). "The Mandalorian season finale recap: Baby Yoda gets into wild action in episode 8". CNET. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  13. Spry, Jeff (November 24, 2019). "Hasbro Black Series reveals official images for new Heavy Infantry Mandalorian figure". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  14. White, Brett (November 22, 2019). "'The Mandalorian' on Disney+: 5 Things You May Have Missed in Episode 3". Decider.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  15. Ciacoya, Bea (December 29, 2019). "The Mandalorian Changes Everything We Know About ... Mandalorians". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  16. Schedeen, Jesse (December 27, 2019). "The Mandalorian Cast: Every Character and Cameo in Season 1". IGN. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  17. Dockterman, Eliana (December 28, 2019). "Jason Sudeikis' Stormtrooper Punched Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian Finale and Fans Are Not Pleased". Time. Archived from the original on January 5, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  18. Gates, Christopher (January 29, 2020). "Why Star Wars: The Clone Wars' final season will blow everyone away". Looper. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  19. Thomas, Leah Marilla (December 30, 2019). "A Guide To The Mandalorian's Cast Of Characters... So Far". Refinery29. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  20. Proctor, Aaron (February 10, 2020). "Exclusive Interview with Tait Fletcher, Heavy Infantry Mandalorian and Alpha Trawler in "The Mandalorian"". Boba Fett Fan Club. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  21. Fallon, Sean (December 12, 2019). "Save 25% on The Black Series Heavy Infantry Mandalorian Exclusive Figure". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  22. Acebedo, Bayani Miguel (November 28, 2019). "Star Wars: Jon Favreau's Heavy Mandalorian Gets His Own Hot Toy". Epicstream. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  23. Whitbrook, James (November 28, 2019). "Hold My Beskar, Hot Toys Is Making a Rad Figure of That Badass Mandalorian". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  24. Howell, Noah (December 5, 2019). "TV Review: 'The Mandalorian' - 'Chapter Three: The Sin' & 'Chapter Four: Sanctuary'". Niner Times. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  25. Hoolihan, Hannah (January 27, 2020). "The Mandalorian's Incinerator Trooper Gets Awesome Hot Toys Figure". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  26. Fowler, Matt (December 31, 2019). "Do Funko's Mandalorian POPs Reveal Episode 5's Mystery Character?". IGN. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  27. Fallon, Sean (December 31, 2019). "The Mandalorian Just Got Tons of New Funko Pops". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  28. Gelman, Samuel (December 31, 2019). "The Mandalorian: Funko Unveils Next Wave of Pop! Vinyl Figures". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  29. "The Mandalorian: everything we know about the Disney Plus Star Wars show". NewsDio. January 14, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
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