A Mandalorian Jedi? Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni Explains The Difference Between Grogu & Sabine

In recent years, Star Wars has introduced us to more non-traditional Jedi, including two potential Mandalorian Jedi but Dave Filoni has a great explanation about the difference between Grogu and Sabine Wren. Co-creator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Filoni has a deep understanding of both the Mandalorians and the Jedi. In тιтles like The Mandalorian and more recently in Ahsoka, Dave Filoni has helped introduce two Jedi who are anything but typical in Grogu and Sabine Wren.

Star Wars Rebels suggested that the only Mandalorian Jedi had been the original wielder of the Darksaber, Tarre Vizsla. Things have changed of late, though, with hints they were more common, and no less than two Force-users crossing the boundaries between Jedi and Mandalorian: Sabine Wren and Grogu. While speaking with ScreenRant’s Molly Brizzell at Star Wars Celebration 2025, Dave Filoni discussed the Mandalorian and potential Jedi journeys of Grogu and Sabine, addressing the possibility Grogu could return to the Jedi:

“The short answer is, sure, why not? Anything’s possible, true. They’re both very different, and their paths are very different. They’re arguably going in slightly different directions.

With Sabine, it’s a special case because I really wanted to talk about the fact that, by definition of the Force that Obi-Wan gives, we all have it. It’s within everybody, but we don’t all tap into it. And then there are people with talent. The talent furthers them in certain things, just like it does in our own world. But the idea is [that] if you train and study, you can access the ability. But as Qui-Gon reminds us, it’s very difficult. It’s a very hard life to be a [Jedi], so most people don’t do it.

There are many things we could do in our own lives that would make our lives better. Why don’t we just do those things? Because they’re very difficult and they’re challenging. And so when I’m attacking the idea with Sabine, it’s that she will never be a Jedi like Ezra or like Ahsoka. Maybe she trains very hard, but she’s different. So is that bad? What is the training doing for her? These are the kind of questions that we have to ask ourselves, but everybody just thinks, oh, you’re trained to be used. Of course. And now you’re going to be a Jedi. But it’s not that easy.”

Filoni acknowledges that Sabine isn’t as attuned with the Force as other Jedi we’ve seen, but that doesn’t mean she’ll quit just because it’s hard. Meanwhile, Grogu is naturally more attuned to the Force but chooses not to be a Jedi, maybe because it’s hard, but also because it just may not be the life he wants. Filoni’s comments make us question what’s really in store for Grogu in The Mandalorian and Grogu and Sabine in Ahsoka season 2.

Sabine’s Story Isn’t Really About Being A Mandalorian Jedi

Filoni Wants Us to Think About Sabine From a Certain Point of View


Sabine using Force push in Ahsoka

From Filoni’s comments, we can gather that Sabine’s story arc in Ahsoka isn’t really about her journey to becoming a Mandalorian Jedi. Rather, Filoni is telling a very different story, using Sabine as a character who explores the nature of the Force. In turn, though, that shines a light on Sabine in a way we haven’t seen before. Sabine is an incredibly skilled and intelligent fighter, and that’s helped her as a Jedi, but as her abilities grow and she continues to struggle with them, we may see Sabine and the Jedi from a different perspective.

Grogu Could Still Become The Mandalorian Jedi We Long To See

Don’t Count Him Out Just Yet


Grogu uses the Force to pull away Moff Gideon's weapon

As a member of Yoda’s species, which canonically lives hundreds of years, Grogu has a long time to decide whether or not he wants to become a Jedi. While audiences yearn to see Grogu become a Mandalorian Jedi, it may be a matter of waiting longer to see that idea realized onscreen. As Filoni pointed out, the life of a Jedi is hard, so Grogu may not be ready for that. Based on Filoni’s comments, it’s clear that there’s an interesting future ahead for Mandalorian Jedi like Sabine Wren and Grogu in Star Wars.

Check out more of our Star Wars Celebration coverage:

  • Star Wars Celebration: All Panels & Times
  • Star Wars Celebration:Live Blog Day 1 – The Mandalorian & Grogu and Lucasfilm Animation Updates
  • All 8 Things We Just Learned About The Next Star Wars Movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu
  • Star Wars Starfighter Announced: Next Star Wars Movie Releases In 2027, Five Years After Rise Of Skywalker & Stars Ryan Gosling
  • Darth Maul Returns In First Look At Maul: Shadow Lord, New TV Show That Fulfils George Lucas’ Sequel Trilogy Plans

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