The Mandalorian and Grogu: It has been revealed if Baby Yoda speaks in the film
The producer of Star Wars has left no doubt
Expectations for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" are high. After all, it has been almost seven years since the last new "Star Wars" film was released in theaters. There is particular excitement surrounding the big-screen debut of Grogu, who, under the nickname Baby Yoda, quickly became a fan favorite in the TV series "The Mandalorian". As has now been clarified, one characteristic of the little green hero will not change in the cinema: Grogu will not speak in the film either. Film producer Kathleen Kennedy has now confirmed this to Variety.
Kennedy describes Grogu as a "perfect example of a character that has to emote and you have to feel connected to, and he never speaks a word." At the same time, she emphasizes that he will not speak in the film either. Grogu belongs to the same species as Jedi Master Yoda. Since the latter is not particularly concerned with grammar and is quite fond of switching the order of words within a sentence, the question arose as to whether this would also be the case with Grogu at some point. Thanks to Kennedy, we now know that this can be ruled out for the film "The Mandalorian and Grogu".
Kathleen Kennedy comments on the new Lucasfilm president
The former president of Lucasfilm also talked about her successor, Dave Filoni, who, together with Lynwen Brennan as co-president, has been at the helm of the "Star Wars" film franchise since January 2026. Kennedy described the transition as seamless and said of the new Lucasfilm president:
"It didn't just happen six months ago. I spent 10 years talking Dave into gradually stepping into live action. He had so much experience in animation. He's so knowledgeable about 'Star Wars' and loves it so much."
What The Mandalorian & Grogu is about
With "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu", the popular science fiction franchise is breaking new ground. For the first time, a film in the series is based on a TV series. The two title characters were first introduced in the three seasons of "The Mandalorian", which premiered on Disney+ between 2019 and 2023. The events of the series take place several years after the end of the movie "Return of the Jedi". The focus is on the Mandalorian Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal – even though the face of "The Last of Us" star remains hidden under a helmet most of the time. At the beginning of the series, the bounty hunter is tasked with finding and delivering Grogu. Instead, he takes the child under his wing and flees with him.
A new adventure awaits the two in the movie sequel. After the fall of the Galactic Empire, the New Republic attempts to defend the freedoms that Luke Skywalker's rebels once fought for. Din Djarin and Grogu, who are promptly recruited by the New Republic, apparently play a decisive role in this.
Sigourney Weaver in Star Wars
Alongside Pedro Pascal, "Alien" icon Sigourney Weaver will also be appearing. As Ward, she plays a former rebel who now works as an officer for the New Republic. Other characters include Rotta the Hutt, the son of notorious crime boss Jabba the Hutt. The role is played by Jeremy Allen White, who became an internationally known star as the lead actor in the TV series "The Bear."
The film is directed by Jon Favreau, who was also responsible for creating the series on which it is based. He co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Filoni. "Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu" will be released in theaters on May 22, 2026.
High expectations
Whether this will be the only cinematic adventure for Din Djarin and Grogu will certainly depend on box office results and fan reactions. In any case, expectations for the duo are enormous. The performance of "The Mandalorian and Grogu" is likely to be seen as an important first indicator of how willing audiences are to go to the cinema for future "Star Wars" films. If box office results fall short of expectations, the pressure on the next spin-off, "Star Wars: Starfighter", will be all the greater. The film, starring Ryan Gosling, is set to be released in May 2027 and would certainly benefit if the "Star Wars" cinema hype were to be reignited by "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
