One of the stars of Star Wars’ upcoming movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, has reᴀssured fans that Din Djarin and Grogu’s big-screen debut has been inspired by what originally made The Mandalorian so beloved. Since the divisive end of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, The Mandalorian has been one of Star Wars’ biggest successes, launching an entirely new timeline era and sub-franchise.

That success has paid off, as The Mandalorian and Grogu will mark the end of Star Wars’ seven-year theatrical hiatus, picking up where The Mandalorian season 3 left off – Din has officially adopted Grogu, and the dynamic duo have created a home base on Nevarro, earning their keep by working as bounty hunters in service of the New Republic.

Still, despite that heartwarming ending, The Mandalorian season 3 was the show’s most heavily criticized yet, with audiences disappointed with Din and Grogu’s off-show reunion, the lack of focus on their relationship, and out-of-place episodes like “The Convert” and “Guns For Hire.” One Mandalorian star has ᴀssured fans that The Mandalorian and Grogu will be getting back to what matters most, however.

In an interview with Rebel Force Radio (shared on X by Mandoverse Updates), Brendan Wayne, one of the three actors who have brought our favorite Mandalorian bounty hunter, Din Djarin, to life on screen, explained that The Mandalorian and Grogu will revisit the Star Wars sub-franchise’s all-important roots:

“I think we go to the storytelling originally that we loved with Mando… We’re with the kid and Mando quite a bit, and their journey is forefront.”

The Mandalorian & Grogu Has Returned To The Balance Of Seasons 1-2

Whereas The Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2 focused on developing Din’s relationship with Grogu, season 3 felt like it was forced to become something bigger – a connective point in the wider, so-called Mandoverse’s storytelling. It certainly didn’t help that Din and Grogu’s separation after The Mandalorian season 2 was swiftly handled in The Book of Boba Fett, rather than in The Mandalorian season 3.

The shift in focus started in season 2, of course, with the live-action introductions of characters like Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. Yet season 3 took it to a whole new level, with the core narrative shifting from Din and Grogu to the plight of all Mandalorians as well as the simmering political turmoil of the New Republic era.

The disconnect between the audience’s expectations, the show’s original premise, and the franchise’s larger storytelling needs is reflected in The Mandalorian season 3’s Rotten Tomatoes scores. The audience’s RT scores for seasons 1 and 2 were 93% and 91%, respectively, while The Mandalorian season 3’s audience score was shockingly only 51%.

Brendan Wayne’s comments are, therefore, incredibly encouraging. If The Mandalorian and Grogu can recapture the magic that made The Mandalorian such a thriving success, namely by focusing on the relationship between Din and Grogu and making their development a driving force of the narrative rather than an afterthought, The Mandalorian and Grogu could become exactly what this franchise needs.

The Mandalorian Is Ushering In A New Age Of Star Wars Again

The importance of The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s success can’t be overstated. The Mandalorian was responsible for launching a new era of Star Wars storytelling and live-action TV. Now, The Mandalorian and Grogu is in charge of the franchise’s return to its cinematic roots.

Star Wars has several films currently in development. Lucasfilm has had a difficult time getting those projects off the ground, however. If The Mandalorian and Grogu fails to meet expectations, much like Solo: A Star Wars Story did, it could send the franchise into a tailspin once more.

If it gives us the Din and Grogu development we want while also doing what it needs to push the New Republic’s narrative forward, however, Star Wars will be able to move on with confidence. Let’s be honest, if anyone can pull off this cinematic relaunch, it’s The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s Din Djarin and his tiny, green, Force-wielding sidekick, Grogu.

Source: Rebel Force Radio