ETF EXTRA: The Matt Willig Interview

ETF EXTRA: The Matt Willig Interview

From Star Wars: Explore The Force by Explore The Force

May 28, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

Matt Willig discusses his journey from NFL player to actor and his role in Star Wars.

He's played a Marvel monster, a wrestling legend, and now a towering alien enforcer in the biggest Star Wars film in years — and we got him on the show. In this special interview episode of Explore the Force , we sit down with Matt Willig — former NFL offensive tackle turned actor — who plays Hogsbreth , a towering physical enforcer operating on the lawless fringes of the Outer Rim in Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu . Standing 6'9" and a 14-season NFL veteran, Matt has built an incredible second career in Hollywood, with roles including Little Chino in Dexter , Lash in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , and a widely praised turn as André the Giant in Young Rock . Now he's living out a lifelong dream in a galaxy far, far away — a role he said helped him "fulfill a kid's dream." We talk about what it was like stepping onto one of the biggest film sets in the world, what it takes to bring a larger-than-life alien character to life, his journey from the football field to Hollywood, and much more. This is the interview Star Wars fans won't want to miss. May the Force be with you — always.

People in this episode

Host: Explore The Force

Guest: Matt Willig

Topics covered

  • interview
  • Star Wars
  • acting
  • NFL
  • Hollywood
  • character development

Keywords

  • Matt Willig
  • Star Wars
  • NFL
  • actor
  • interview
  • Hollywood
  • character

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, Dexter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Young Rock

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