Recent photos from The Mandalorian & Grogu have been released, offering a glimpse into the plans Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have for Din Djarin and Grogu’s upcoming movie.
Here’s what you need to know: Sigourney Weaver’s character, Colonel Ward, is giving Mando and Grogu their first assignment for the New Republic, and it’s going to be challenging. The remnants of the Empire are still operating in secret through a group called the Shadow Council. Plus, Jon Favreau says the movie is designed to be a new beginning, so you don’t need to be an expert on the series to enjoy it.
Colonel Ward recruits Mando for a “very hard commission”
I was so excited to see Din working with the New Republic now, stationed at Adelphi Base! It’s cool to see him get pulled into a new mission by Colonel Ward, played brilliantly by Sigourney Weaver. She really knows how to get things done, and I can’t wait to see where this assignment takes him.
Weaver explains that asking the Mandalorian for help is a significant step for her. She describes the initial task as difficult and complex, which is precisely why she chose him for the job.
The Shadow Council is back, and Jonny Coyne returns
Even with Moff Gideon defeated, the remnants of the Empire continue to cause trouble in the Outer Rim. A group called the Shadow Council is still directing their efforts.
Jonny Coyne is reprising his role as the enigmatic warlord from Season 3, and Dave Filoni has hinted that viewers will be pleased with the character’s eventual name reveal.
The story also hints at what’s to come: the peace won’t last, and eventually the First Order will emerge.
Favreau says the movie is designed as a fresh start
The movie is designed to be accessible to everyone, even if they haven’t seen the related TV series.
The new season offers Din and Grogu a chance to begin anew, while the deeper storylines about the New Republic will be explored further in the second season of Ahsoka.
Bigger production: practical sets, puppets, Phil Tippett work, IMAX scale
Jon Favreau directly tackles the question of whether Star Wars still feels like a big moviegoing experience, explaining that choosing to release in theaters required significant adjustments to the production process, primarily adding more time to the schedule.
The show was filmed quickly and affordably using LED walls. However, the movie took a different approach, emphasizing large, real sets, extensive use of puppets and stop-motion animation from Phil Tippett’s studio, and highly detailed computer-generated characters designed for IMAX screens.
Pedro Pascal revealed he secretly filmed one of the most elaborate and impressive sets using his phone, despite not being allowed to.
Season 4 scripts exist, but the movie became the priority
Favreau says he wrote an entire Mandalorian Season 4 after Season 3 and still has the scripts.
Following the actors’ and writers’ strikes in 2023, the show’s plans changed. Instead of continuing with Season 4, the focus shifted to making a theatrical movie, as movie theaters were becoming popular again after the pandemic.
Rotta’s return is a full-circle moment, and he wants out of Jabba’s shadow
Rotta the Hutt returns in the movie, aged up from his Clone Wars “Huttlet” days.
Filoni says he never expected that, after working at Lucasfilm, he’d one day be involved in a live-action movie featuring the character Rotta.
Favreau describes Rotta as being similar to Adonis Creed – a character working to prove himself despite having a well-known family name.
Favreau wonders what it’s like growing up with a famous parent, specifically if you’re the child of Jabba the Hutt. He finds it interesting to consider how that background would shape someone’s life and path.
Jeremy Allen White explains that Rotta is striving for independence and wants to establish his own identity, separate from his family’s reputation.
Filoni teases the odd-couple dynamic: “Boba Fett/Yoda team-up”
Filoni jokes about how weird the pairing is on paper, but says it works.
Filoni jokingly wondered if anyone ever imagined seeing Boba Fett and Yoda team up while watching The Empire Strikes Back, even suggesting the idea of Boba Fett being Yoda’s father. He admits it seemed impossible at the time, but says the unexpected pairing has turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Ludwig Göransson says Grogu has a bigger presence
Composer Ludwig Göransson says Grogu is far more central this time around.
Göransson explains that the character wasn’t as prominent in the first season as he is in the movie. Now, he has a much larger role and is more developed. He’s no longer a child, but has become more mature and self-reliant.
Release info
The Mandalorian & Grogu will be released in theaters on May 22, 2026.
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2026-03-15 17:32