The Mandalorian & Grogu Movie Preview

"The Mandalorian" returns: in 2026, it's time for another trip to a galaxy far, far away – but this time not in a series format, but on the big screen! Mando and Grogu are getting their own movie. We have summarized everything you need to know about "The Mandalorian & Grogu", talk about the first trailer and wonder: can the popular characters from the series finally turn "Star Wars" into a cinematic highlight again?

Previously on Star Wars...

Of course, the movie is based on "The Mandalorian" and marks the first "Star Wars" movie to hit the big screen since "Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker". Between 2015 and 2019, Disney released a new movie every year – but after that, there was radio silence when it came to making films for the cinema. Although a number of projects were announced, none of them have yet been realized.
That is set to change in 2026: Lucasfilm wants to bring the franchise back to the big screen with familiar characters and an experienced creative team – above all with the Mandalorian Din Djarin and his little companion Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda.

The fact that they are focusing on these two characters is not really surprising: barely any other "Star Wars" project in recent years has been as successful and popular as "The Mandalorian". The series has managed to bring back old fans while appealing to new audiences – from hardcore nerds to casual viewers.

The Mandalorian – A Brief Recap

Mando and Grogu made their first appearance in 2019. The Mando series takes place between Episodes 6 and 7 and tells the story of bounty hunter Din Djarin, who seeks out a mysterious child. However, instead of handing it over to his employer, he decides to protect the child. As Grogu has a special connection to the Force, the duo are targeted by various factions – including the villain Moff Gideon, but also allies such as Bo-Katan, Ahsoka Tano and Greef Karga.

The series was so successful that other "Star Wars" spin-offs immediately followed, such as "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Ahsoka". "The Mandalorian" was more than just a series – it was a turning point for the franchise. Thanks to the innovative StageCraft technology, the series had a high visual quality, with a more flexible production at the same time. This involves creating virtual backgrounds in real time on LED walls, which provides actors with realistic lighting and allows them to better immerse themselves in a scene instead of just staring at green walls. But there are also points of criticism: depending on how well the technology is used, you could definitely tell that the action was restricted to a small area within the virtual environment in some series and episodes.

What Could the Film Be About?

The story of the new film is still a well-kept secret, but there are already some clues. Most notably, of course, thanks to a first trailer for "The Mandalorian & Grogu", which was shown at the Star Wars Celebration in Japan. According to the trailer, the story connects directly to the series: our heroes are recruited for a new mission. As you might remember, at the end of season 3, Din Djarin suggested working as an unofficial bounty hunter on behalf of the New Republic in the future.

However, it is very likely that it won't just be another adventure like usual in the series. After all, we are seeing Mando and Grogu in the movies for the very first time – which suggests a crucial chapter in their story. It could be about Grogu's connection to the Force, for example: after all, Luke Skywalker briefly took over his training, but Grogu decided against it – an emotional moment that left deep marks. Will he regret this decision? "Star Wars" fans know that strong emotions and a lack of training can result in turning to the dark side. It's a fate that very few people would wish for Grogu, but that kind of peril would give even more weight to the decision and make for exciting character moments. What is Grogu willing to do if Din Djarin finds himself in danger?

A connection to the First Order is also a possibility here. Even if many Mando fans would probably like their series heroes to be kept at a distance from the last movies, the change from the last remnants of the Empire to the new threat simply fits very well in terms of timing. And in the series, it was already implied that the experiments on Grogu served to create Snoke. This could therefore be a wonderful starting point when it comes to confronting Grogu with the dark side of the Force. And at the same time, it is easier to explain how the First Order was formed. In the trailer, though, things seem far less dramatic when it comes to Grogu: here he only makes a brief, adorable appearance alongside some Anzellans.

Speaking of the trailer: it also showed an impressive one-shot action scene in which Din Djarin single-handedly kills the entire crew of an AT-AT before blowing it up. However, it remains unclear whether the enemies still belong to the remnants of the Empire or are already part of the First Order. In any case, a large portion of the movie seems to take place on an ice planet.

Return of Familiar Characters

The trailer has also revealed that we can look forward to an appearance by Zeb Orrelios. The character is known from the series "Star Wars Rebels" and also played a role in season 3.

Other well-known characters could likewise return: Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, for example – she could establish a connection to Grand Admiral Thrawn, who previously appeared in "Ahsoka" and "Rebels". Thrawn is considered one of the Empire's most dangerous strategists and is hugely popular in the fan community.

Another conceivable reunion is that with Bo-Katan, the Mandalorian warrior with a royal background. And of course: the Armorer, a mysterious figure who knows more about the Mandalorian culture than anyone else. Unfortunately, we will have to go without Greef Karga – the actor Carl Weathers passed away in early 2024.

There is reason to believe that many familiar faces will be making an appearance: Dave Filoni has been working on expanding the so-called "Mandoverse" for years, which is set to conclude with its own "Avengers"-themed movie event. It is very possible that "The Mandalorian & Grogu" will lead directly to this. The movie is also expected to attract new viewers who have not yet seen any of the Disney Plus series.

A Look Behind the Scenes: Cast & Crew

Officially confirmed: Pedro Pascal is returning as Din Djarin. The actor is currently one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood – known from "The Last of Us" and the upcoming MCU film "The Fantastic Four: First Steps", for example. If a picture from the Star Wars Celebration is anything to go by, it seems that he will once again be seen without his helmet in the film.

Also part of the cast is sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver. According to the trailer, she plays a New Republic leader and can be seen in an orange pilot's outfit. Moreover, Jeremy Allen White, known from "The Bear", provides the voice of Jabba's son Rotta the Hutt. He makes an appearance in the trailer as well. He has now grown up, is very muscular and appears to be involved in arena battles.

The movie is once again directed by Jon Favreau, who kicked off the MCU with "Iron Man" and developed "The Mandalorian". He is supported by Dave Filoni, the mastermind behind many modern "Star Wars" projects such as "The Clone Wars", "Rebels", "Ahsoka" and "The Mandalorian". Together they form the most creative duo that "Star Wars" currently has to offer.

Why the Movie Is So Important

For Lucasfilm, "The Mandalorian & Grogu" is far more than just a movie – it's a test. After the mixed ending to the Skywalker saga and the sometimes extreme reactions to series such as "Obi-Wan Kenobi" or "The Book of Boba Fett", the aim is to regain the trust of fans. And this is best achieved with characters that have already proven to be successful – such as Din Djarin and Grogu. The two represent the new "Star Wars": less pathos, more human values. Less galaxy-saving, more personal stories. And that's exactly what the cinema needs now.

Disney is likely to be looking forward to the reactions – not only in terms of story, but also financially: should the film be successful, it could be the go-ahead for further movie productions from the series universe.

Will There Be a Season 4?

A big question that many fans are asking themselves is: what does the movie mean for the future of the series? A fourth season of "The Mandalorian" had originally been planned, but since the movie was announced, nothing has been said about it.
Some insiders suspect that the plot of season 4 has now been incorporated into the film – or at least in part. But even if there isn't a new season, one thing is certain: "The Mandalorian & Grogu" won't be the end. With the big movie event by Dave Filoni at the latest, the chapter about Din Djarin, Grogu, Ahsoka and Thrawn is expected to reach an epic finale.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Release Date

Fans won't have to wait that long anymore: "The Mandalorian & Grogu" will premiere in theaters on May 22, 2026. Filming was already completed in October 2024 – so it seems that they're taking their time for a proper post-production. We will of course keep you up to date with information on the cast, the plot and the first images and look forward to showing you the "The Mandalorian & Grogu" trailer on our channel!