We’re less than a year away from Star Wars’ next movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, which will offer the creator of Star Wars’ first, and most successful, live-action TV show his true chance to shine. Jon Favreau is a name that needs no introduction, whether it be within the Star Wars galaxy or in greater cinema.

From his own acting to the hand he’s had in making the Marvel Cinematic Universe into what it is today, Favreau has become a foundational filmmaker. He’s since carried that on in television with The Mandalorian, a TV show that, like himself, also needs no introduction. It’s one of the most successful, and recognizable, Star Wars stories to date.

It’s been six years since The Mandalorian first debuted on Disney+, and now, it’s gearing up to hit the big screen in May 2026. This alone is huge for the Star Wars franchise, given the fact they haven’t released a movie since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but having Favreau at the helm only makes things even better.

Jon Favreau Is Back In Full Directorial Force With The Mandalorian And Grogu

He’s Back To Doing What He Does Best: Directing Movies

While serving as creator, writer, and executive producer on The Mandalorian TV show, Favreau didn’t have the chance to direct all that much over the course of its three seasons. The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, however, sees Favreau right in the director’s chair, bringing this brand-new vision of his to life.

This is exactly where Favreau belongs, especially for a project like this. Favreau is a connoisseur of adventure movies and storytelling. Whether it be the holiday season favorite and heartfelt comedy Elf or Disney’s live-action adaptations of The Jungle Book and The Lion King, Favreau has risen to each and every occasion.

The Mandalorian and Grogu won’t be any different. In fact, what viewers, including myself, have already seen in exclusive footage shared at events such as Star Wars Celebration Japan confirms this already. The spectacles are marvelous in a way that brings you right back to the original Star Wars movies.

This is because Favreau is back at home in the movie theater with The Mandalorian and Grogu. He may have helped to revolutionize storytelling in TV with his work on The Mandalorian, but it’s his repertoire in cinema that’s helped him to make his name. He’s returning to what he knows best.

Favreau’s Mandalorian Episode Remains One Of Star Wars’ All-Time Best

“The Marshal” Feels Utterly Cinematic

If you’re not convinced just yet, let’s take a look back at Favreau’s Star Wars directorial work. For The Mandalorian, Favreau and Lucasfilm elected to bring in a diverse pool of different directors with various visions that made each episode a unique experience. This meant he barely directed any episodes himself.

The episode he did direct, however, is easily one of not just The Mandalorian‘s best, but also Star Wars’ as a whole. The Mandalorian season 2 premiere, “Chapter 9: The Marshal,” is perhaps the closest thing we have to a classic, galactic cinematic experience in the form of Star Wars television.

“The Marshal” is a nearly hour-long episode that’s complete with exposition, thrilling adventure, and an epic battle that even includes an aspect ratio change to make its creature, the famed krayt dragon, look even more imposing. It truly never fails to make the small-screen experience feel like something that could have easily performed well on the big screen.

If this single episode of The Mandalorian is any kind of indication of what’s to come in The Mandalorian and Grogu, then it will no doubt become one of the franchise’s most memorable adventures. Favreau is back to doing what he knows best, and it’s that knowledge that’s going to make 2026 a big year for Star Wars.

Favreau Understands What Kind Of Movie Star Wars Needs Right Now

A Fun Adventure With Thrilling Spectacles & A Heartfelt Story

If anyone knows what kind of movie Star Wars needs for its return to the big screen, it’s Jon Favreau. As stated above, it was his work with the Iron Man franchise that helped to turn the MCU into what it is today – which is the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time. Star Wars isn’t far behind that.

Star Wars is ready to reinvent itself at the movie theater following some burnout with cinematic experiences, and Favreau is the perfect person to lead that charge. He’s already proven his ability to make a mᴀssively successful Star Wars story and a movie franchise on separate occasions. Blending them together is a recipe for pure perfection.

Those who have had their confidence in Favreau somewhat shaken by both The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian season 3 should rest in the knowledge that telling stories on the big screen is vastly different from the small screen, and now, Favreau is working directly within his element. The Mandalorian and Grogu will become his ultimate culmination project.

Star Wars has fallen into some very capable hands over the years, especially in the cinematic sphere, but Favreau is ready to show them all how it’s done. With just ten months to go until The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters, it’s time to start gearing up for a movie that could very easily change the franchise forever.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.