The passing of Carl Weathers is a massive blow to Star Wars.
Greef Karga is someone we all wish we had but whom Din Djarin was lucky to call a friend. The evolution of their relationship since Season 1 has been among the best aspects of The Mandalorian's writing and almost as good as Greef Karga's character progression. Greef grew from a hardened member of the Guild to a High Magistrate who did his job with conviction and made Nevarro a hustling and bustling commercial hub.
Starting as a guy whose only interest was good business and who seemed fond of "Mando" because he knew he was the guy who'd catch the most sought-after bounties, his growth is incredible. After Grogu saved his life by healing a poisonous bite that would've killed him, Karga gradually transforms into a loving Grandpa figure to Grogu and a dependable brother to Din Djarin. Their bond became warmer and friendlier over time, so much so that their meetings became something to genuinely look forward to every season.
Greef's enthusiastic welcome made Din and Grogu's every trip to Nevarro feel like a homecoming. Their reunions generated the same feelings we all get when reunited with our best friends. Din became one of Greef's best allies, and he didn't hide it when he said, "Some of my favorite people are bounty hunters." The two trusted each other and came to each other's aid. One of the best things Din Djarin does in Season 3 is come to save Nevarro and his friend. In return, as the season comes to a close, Greef Karga offers Din a home to settle down in with Grogu.
Nevarro will never be the same without High Magistrate Greef Karga, and neither will The Mandalorian as a series. The loss of Carl Weathers is a big blow not only to the show but also to the entire franchise, which is banking on the success of the Mandoverse in the coming years. There is a Mandalorian movie, directed by Jon Favreau, in the works. There's also Dave Filoni's Mandoverse crossover film. The Mandalorian has already suffered as a series because Gina Carano, who was supposed to lead the shelved project Rangers of the New Republic, was fired.
Now, the series has to find a way to go forward with the New Republic storyline without Greef Karga, who was probably poised to play a major role in every upcoming show and movie set in this era. Without him, the story suffers, and it's too early to say how Jon Favreau will deal with this. With the loss of Ray Stevenson less than a year ago and now Carl Weathers, this is another blow for the Mandoverse shows. But more than that, this loss hurts because it's of a character who began to feel like a family member.
Carl Weathers' contributions to Star Wars were beyond just his acting abilities, as he also directed two episodes of The Mandalorian. He was a man with a youthful exuberance and passion for the franchise, and his loss will always hurt. Nevarro will never feel the same again without Greef doting on and carrying Grogu around affectionately. It won't be the same without Din Djarin's trusted friend, who we knew for a fact always had his back.