Even before The Mandalorian and Grogu comes out, we know Din Djarin is facing one mᴀssive uphill battle with Star Wars’ latest major villain, and it could spell significant trouble for the galaxy. The Mandalorian and Grogu is the next to be released of Star Wars’ upcoming movies, and there’s plenty of interest in what this movie will hold. This is especially true because the movie’s May 22, 2026, release date means it will be the first Star Wars movie in nearly seven years.
In addition to that, though, Star Wars movies and TV shows have long been building to the events that will unfold in this movie. Particularly shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have primed The Mandalorian and Grogu to truly bring on a new era of the franchise. While it will undoubtedly do just that, The Mandalorian and Grogu will also see Din Djarin facing off against the franchise’s current biggest villain, and, unfortunately, that villain already has a huge leg up on the Mandalorian hero.
Grand Admiral Thrawn Knows Plenty About Mandalorians
Star Wars Rebels Showed Just How Much Thrawn Knows
Star Wars Rebels was the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn to the Star Wars screen (and to Star Wars canon). That show not only revealed how formidable Thrawn was as a villain but also confirmed just how familiar he was with the Mandalorians—especially because of Sabine Wren. In Rebels, Thrawn was tasked with destroying the Ghost crew, comprising Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Chop, and Zeb Orelios.
Throughout that hunt, Thrawn showed how invested he was in understanding his opponents’ cultures and traditions in general, as he also knew quite a bit about Hera and Ryloth. This is really one of Thrawn’s greatest strengths, as is his intelligence and strategic nature. Yet, Thrawn and Sabine Wren’s Star Wars history makes it clear that he was especially able to exploit his understanding of Sabine to hunt down and nearly defeat the Ghost crew.
Thrawn showed how invested he was in understanding his opponents’ cultures and traditions.
Before Ezra sacrificed himself to save his fellow rebels and the rest of the galaxy from Thrawn’s wrath, ultimately winding up trapped on Peridea with Thrawn for years, it seemed as though the Ghost crew might really lose to Thrawn. Thrawn specifically took advantage of Sabine’s art, turning that into a weakness that he could take advantage of. This strategy in particular elucidates why Din Djarin and the other Mandalorians could be in major trouble.
Thrawn Will Know Din Djarin’s Mandalorian Weaknesses In Advance
With Din Djarin Positioned As The Hero In Star Wars’ New Movie, This Could Be A Serious Problem
Because Thrawn is already so familiar with the Mandalorian culture, he is going to be especially dangerous to Din Djarin and the other Mandalorians. Of course, they won’t be in this fight alone, as the New Republic will presumably also get involved with such a significant threat arriving on the scene. Yet, this era of the Star Wars timeline is heavily focused on the Mandalorians, and it’s clear following both The Mandalorian season 3 ending and the Ahsoka season 1 finale that with Thrawn’s arrival in the main Star Wars galaxy, Din Djarin will be going up against him.
This makes Thrawn perfectly primed to exploit the very same weaknesses of the Mandalorians that he did with Sabine Wren. In fact, with Din Djarin, this will only be that much worse. While Thrawn could use Sabine’s art and the Mandalorian culture and customs against her, he can specifically weaponize the intense family ties and loyalty of the Mandalorians against Din Djarin. Din has formally adopted Grogu at this point, but even before that, his connection to the Child was evident. This puts Din in an especially dangerous position, wherein Thrawn can use this relationship to his advantage.
He can specifically weaponize the intense family ties and loyalty of the Mandalorians with Din Djarin.
Thrawn Could Prove To Be The Mandalorian’s Strongest Adversary Yet
The Mandalorians Have Faced A Lot… But Nothing Quite Like Thrawn
The Mandalorian timeline has been one riddled with war, adversity, and loss, but Thrawn could nevertheless prove to be their greatest adversary yet. After years trapped on Peridea, Thrawn has a new fire lit under him to bring together the Imperial remnants and re-establish the Empire, now with him at the helm. In fact, now that Palpatine is out of his way, Thrawn will be so much more dangerous, able to use his tactical intelligence to create major issues for the Mandalorians and the New Republic more broadly.
Clearly, Thrawn doesn’t hold onto his power, as he’s not in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do a brutal amount of damage, especially given the fate of Din Djarin and the Mandalorians isn’t clear in the sequels. Star Wars is somewhat limited in what The Mandalorian and Grogu can do with this story, but that doesn’t make Thrawn any less dangerous. Din Djarin and the Mandalorians may very well be facing their greatest threat to date.
