The next Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is set to hit theaters in just over a year’s time – and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the next chapter of Din Djarin and Grogu’s story. Based on the immensely successful TV show of a similar name, The Mandalorian, this Star Wars movie is set to follow its тιтular characters through their adventures in the galaxy, working alongside the New Republic rangers to eliminate members of the Imperial Remnant.
While there aren’t many details about The Mandalorian and Grogu that Star Wars is willing to share just yet, exclusive footage shown at events such as Star Wars Celebration Japan and interviews with cast and crew members have informed us about some incredible things we can expect from the franchise’s first movie in 7 years. From familiar faces returning in this story to brand-new surprises, here are the eight biggest reasons why you should be excited about The Mandalorian and Grogu movie.
8
Sigourney Weaver Is Joining The Star Wars Universe
Weaver Is A Sci-Fi Legend
While most of The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s cast remains a mystery, one of the biggest names joining Pedro Pascal’s own is Sigourney Weaver. The sci-fi legend known for her roles in iconic franchises such as Alien, Ghostbusters, and Avatar is at last joining the Star Wars universe as Colonel Ward, a former Rebel Alliance member who now has a high-standing role at the New Republic rangers’ Adelphi Base.
As is the case with most of the movie at this point, other details about Weaver’s character are few and far between, but her incredible career alone is a testament to how she will positively impact the Star Wars galaxy forever with this role. Weaver never fails to shine when she’s on the big screen, and there’s no doubt she’s gearing up to do the same in The Mandalorian and Grogu to create a character I can easily see ourselves asking for more of.
7
Grogu Is A More Capable Warrior Than Ever Before
He’s Truly A Mandalorian Apprentice Now
Grogu has had quite the journey of growth from when he was first lovingly deemed “Baby Yoda” by the internet during The Mandalorian season 1. While Grogu has been stepping in to save Din Djarin ever since episode 2 of the Disney+ series, it was The Mandalorian season 3 that really saw Grogu holding his own for both himself and his father. The movie, however, elevates that role of his even more.
Grogu has had quite the journey of growth from when he was first lovingly deemed “Baby Yoda” by the internet during The Mandalorian season 1.
As seen in The Mandalorian and Grogu footage shown at Star Wars Celebration, Grogu is not only going off on his own during missions, but he’s also doing things such as destroying a mouse droid with the Force and even swimming quite expertly. The full context of those scenes is missing, but the point still stands: Grogu is truly a Mandalorian-in-training now. He’s becoming more and more like the capable warrior his adoptive father has always been.
6
The Movie Is Set To Focus On Its Characters Above All Else
It’s Learning From Season 3’s Biggest Criticism
The latest iteration of The Mandalorian fell from grace compared to its first two seasons, and the biggest reason for that was the fact that its story expanded far beyond Din Djarin and Grogu. Rather than focusing on the beloved father-son duo, The Mandalorian tackled the reclamation of Mandalore, allowing Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze to share the spotlight with them. As wonderful as her story was, audiences sorely missed the central focus on Din and Grogu as a duo.
Now, however, the creative minds behind The Mandalorian and Grogu are ready to bring Din Djarin and Grogu back to the forefront. In various conversations at Star Wars Celebration, it was shared that this adventure would be more focused on characters, specifically the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu, rather than larger-scale events. While those events will no doubt be happening simultaneously, Din and Grogu, and their growth, will be the heart of this movie above all else.
5
Din Djarin Is Back To Being His True Warrior Self
He’s Not Messing Around Anymore
The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian season 3 were strange cases for Din Djarin. While he had his time to shine as a warrior, most notably in his opening scene in the former and the finale of the latter, Mando was often seen as being less of a threat to his adversaries than he was in seasons 1 and 2. Back then, he was practically untouchable, whereas in the two aforementioned Star Wars installments, he struggled against the Darksaber and pretty low-level enemies.
Of course, that could simply be because Din wasn’t given many opportunities to have as many fights in those тιтles as he did in The Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2, but regardless, the footage shown at Star Wars Celebration has already promised that Mando will have plenty of chances to show off his warrior skills in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The opening scene of the trailer sees him clearing an entire room of Imperials by himself in seconds, just like the good old days.
4
The Razor Crest Is Making Its Long-Awaited Return
Din Djarin Gets His Trust Vessel Back
The Razor Crest had perhaps one of the most iconic fates in all of Star Wars, with the gunship having been blown to pieces by Moff Gideon on Tython in The Mandalorian season 2. It was an utterly shocking moment that eventually led to Din Djarin getting an N-1 starfighter from Peli Motto, and as perfectly nostalgic and awesome as that vessel has been, it doesn’t fit Din’s current lifestyle as a Mandalorian mentor and adoptive father to Grogu.
The Razor Crest had perhaps one of the most iconic fates in all of Star Wars.
That’s why the return of the Razor Crest is such a promising thing in The Mandalorian and Grogu. It was first teased in footage shown at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024, but it was shown in more of its full glory in the footage from Star Wars Celebration Japan. It was initially unclear if Din would end up owning the ship, but behind-the-scenes images of Din on board, also shown at Celebration, seem to indicate that he will, indeed, call this ship home once again.
3
A Star Wars Rebels Hero Is Coming To The Big Screen
And It’s Not Who You Might Expect
It’s always an exciting time when characters who debut in Star Wars animation get a chance to shine in live-action, especially on the big screen. This will be the case with Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios, a beloved hero in the animated show Star Wars Rebels. Zeb made his live-action debut in The Mandalorian season 3 during a brief appearance in episode 5 “Chapter 21: The Pirate,” and although he and Din Djarin have yet to meet, it seems as if they will be working together in this movie.
Zeb is a wonderful character in Rebels, and actor Steve Blum will be reprising the role in live-action, which makes it even more exciting – but there’s another key reason why Zeb’s role is so important. After failing to appear in Ahsoka season 1, Zeb is confirmed to be a part of Ahsoka season 2, and his role in both that TV show and this movie will no doubt tie the stories together in a way that leads to Dave Filoni’s upcoming culmination movie of The Mandalorian era.
2
The Clone Wars Movie May Be Getting Some Proper Justice
Rotta’s Back, Baby!
After months of swirling rumors about Rotta the Hutt from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie playing a role in The Mandalorian and Grogu, the end of the footage shown at Star Wars Celebration Japan confirmed that the son of Jabba the Hutt will indeed be playing a role in this story somehow. The alarmingly buff version of Rotta, who will be played by The Bear‘s Jeremy Allen White, is seen in a gladiator-esque arena, with Din Djarin and Grogu watching as spectators.
This promises some unexpected justice for The Clone Wars movie, which has long since been considered a rough-around-the-edges project – especially in comparison to the excellence of its animated TV show spin-off of the same name. This certainly isn’t the first case of The Clone Wars movie getting some head-nods in recent Star Wars projects, including a return to the planet Teth in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3, but it definitely is the most significant, given the fact it’s on the big screen.
1
Din Djarin Will No Doubt Be Helmet-Less At Least Once
For The First Time In 6 Years
Everyone has been holding their breath for another helmet-less moment from Din Djarin, especially as Pascal’s own star power has continued to rise ever since he first portrayed his Mandalorian character in 2019. Din, however, hasn’t removed his helmet since The Mandalorian season 2 finale’s heartbreaking goodbye scene, which aired on December 18, 2020. This means that, by the time The Mandalorian and Grogu hits the big screen, it will have been nearly 6 years since we last saw his face.
Din, however, hasn’t removed his helmet since The Mandalorian season 2 finale’s heartbreaking goodbye scene, which aired on December 18, 2020.
Thankfully, it’s more than likely that the trend will end with the upcoming movie. When I spoke with Pascal myself at Star Wars Celebration Japan, the star made it very clear that he’s hoping for at least one helmet-less scene, on top of the fact that we saw a brand-new picture of him helmet-less in the suit at Star Wars Celebration. Pascal himself was also required on set for a time, as confirmed by stunt actor Lateef Crowder via Instagram last year.
All of this has downright convinced me that Din Djarin’s next helmet-less scene is imminent, and there may be more than one in store. I can easily envision a private moment between him and Grogu, and perhaps another with higher stakes – maybe even in an action sequence, given the nature of Crowder’s tease about Pascal’s involvement on set. Whatever the case, The Mandalorian and Grogu is on track to bring back this fan-favorite trend from its beloved TV show.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.
