Credit: LucasfilmDisney’s position over Pixar, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe gives the studio a lot of star power to play with. As Disney and Hulu take a new direction in entertainment, one notorious bounty hunter leads the charge.
For a Star Wars spinoff, The Mandalorian has amassed many celebrity guest stars that many would never think to see in the galaxy far, far away. From Amy Sedaris to Jack Black and Lizzo, there have been some unexpected appearances throughout the outer rim, but one of the galaxy’s deadliest is making a comeback in a strangely different direction for Disney.
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Although Star Wars fans know him as Migs Mayfield, an Imperial officer turned mercenary, Bill Burr is one of the loudest and most prolific performers in the stand-up comedy scene. Although it’s unknown whether or not he’ll be back for another season or even as a cast member in Grogu and the Mandalorian, Disney announced that Burr would lead a new comedy special on Disney+ and Hulu.
From Stand-Up to Star Wars
Taking a cue from Netflix, Disney is getting its Mickey Mitts into the comedy game and releasing a series of stand-up specials for its streaming platforms. What’s On Disney+ shared the following announcement regarding Burr’s upcoming performance:
“Disney has announced details on a brand new stand-up comedy special featuring Bill Burr, will be coming soon to Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ internationally.”
“An Emmy and GRAMMY Award nominee, Burr is regarded as a singular voice of his generation, defining his own path as a world-renowned comedian, director/writer/producer/star of a No. 1 film on Netflix, critically acclaimed dramatic and comedic actor, writer, producer, and a genre-defining podcaster. In 2024, Burr is touring arenas and theatres with his Bill Burr Live tour.”
Stand-up specials aren’t usually Disney’s thing, but it feels deliciously ironic that the studio would tap Bill Burr for both a comedy show just after a Star Wars spinoff, especially with what the comedian has said about them in previous bits.
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Although he has grown to love Disneyland, his rant about the Star Wars fandom is notorious after being cast as one of the deadliest guns in the galaxy. Seeing Disney invest in a project with Burr’s name attached isn’t just unusual; it’s a joke that practically goes full circle.
Can Disney Compete?
This writer certainly won’t be the first one to call this pairing unusual, especially since Netflix has been the primary source for comedy specials for years. That said, Disney and Hulu could stand to give it a try. The merger has already diversified Disney+’s catalog with a wide variety of additional content, where’s the harm in experimenting?
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That said, it still feels more than a few shades out of character for Disney to invest in something as potentially vulgar as a Bill Burr special. Even so, it might open the door for other audiences to dip their toes in the water.
Do you think Disney will succeed with this new partnership? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!