'The Mandalorian': Star Werner Herzog is more obsessed with Baby Yoda than you are

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY

What does it take to melt the heart of the director of "Grizzly Man"? Big eyes, big ears and the power of the Force.

Legendary director and actor Werner Herzog lent his talents to "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian" (now streaming on Disney+) as the mysterious "Client," a rich man who hires the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) to hunt down what the internet has named "Baby Yoda" – a tiny tyke who's the same species as the legendary "Star Wars" character. Herzog's evildoer seemingly has nefarious intentions for the creature, but on set, Herzog had nothing but love for him.

USA TODAY caught up with director Deborah Chow, who helmed Episode 3 of "Mandalorian," and she reveals just how close Herzog and Baby Yoda are.

Werner Herzog plays The Client in Chapter 3 of The Mandalorian
Werner Herzog plays The Client in Chapter 3 of The Mandalorian

"I think one of the weirdest directing moments I’ve had was directing Werner and the baby, was very, very weird," she says. "I had a moment on set, I literally think that he had forgotten that it’s not a real-live creature and he had fallen in love with it and he was talking to it like it’s a real creature and he was interacting with it."

Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian Chapter 3
Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian Chapter 3

"And in the meantime I was trying to direct Werner Herzog who is, of course, Werner Herzog to start with," she adds. "So I got to this crazy place on set where it was Werner and the baby in their own little world. I’m not sure if (they were filming) but it was incredible. ... You can’t come up with a better matchup than Werner Herzog and Baby Yoda."

Baby Yoda fever: The adorable, big-eared savior of Disney+'s 'The Mandalorian'

In addition to witnessing the softer side of Herzog, Chow addresses the significance of being the first woman to direct "Star Wars" on any platform in live action.

Director Deborah Chow speaks onstage at the premiere of Star Wars' first-ever, live-action series, "The Mandalorian."
Director Deborah Chow speaks onstage at the premiere of Star Wars' first-ever, live-action series, "The Mandalorian."

"It’s definitely been an unexpected honor," she says. "But first and foremost I’m a director, and I want it to be about the work. I don’t want it to just be about (diversity), but at the same time I’m also a woman and I’m Asian, so it is important to me. I think hopefully we’re moving toward the day when it won’t matter and it will just be everybody just out there and we’re all just making good content and we’re being judged on the work, but I do think it’s meaningful, and I’m proud of it."

Episode 4 of "Mandalorian" is out Friday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Mandalorian': Star Werner Herzog is obsessed with Baby Yoda