It’s taken 48 years, but Star Wars‘ next movie is finally moving on from the Skywalker saga. The Star Wars movies have always been centered upon the Skywalker family; the novelization of the first film even had the subтιтle “From The Adventures of Luke Skywalker.” It’s true that the prequels redefined this, but only by broadening it out to focus on Anakin instead.

Disney’s first wave of movies continued that trend, although the definition of a “Skywalker” was widened once again to include Rey. Even the anthology films were oriented around the Skywalker saga; an origin story for Han Solo and a prequel to the original trilogy. But now, finally, Star Wars is stepping away from the Skywalkers.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Doesn’t Have A Skywalker In Sight

Lucasfilm has released the first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, which tells the continuing story of Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and his ward, Grogu. Due out on May 22, 2026, this is the first Star Wars movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. What’s more, although Grogu has the Force, there’s not a Jedi – or a Skywalker – in sight.

There’s a sense in which Lucasfilm has been building up to this departure for a long time. The Mandalorian premiered alongside the launch of Disney+ back in 2019, but even that show initially had a Jedi element; Din Djarin was trying to get Grogu back to his “people,” the Jedi. Luke Skywalker himself appeared at the end of The Mandalorian season 2.

Now, though, Lucasfilm is taking Din Djarin to the big screen. The Mandalorian and Grogu is clearly resetting some elements of Din’s story (it features the return of the Razor Crest and his pulse rifle, restoring the iconic silhouette). But the would-be Jedi arc from seasons 1 and 2 is now over, with Grogu committing to the Way of the Mandalorians.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Takes Aim At A New Generation Of Fans

The last two Disney+ TV shows have dared to step away from the Skywalkers, with mixed results; Skeleton Crew was popular and critically-acclaimed but had low viewership, while The Acolyte triggered a firestorm of controversy in the fandom. But streaming data from companies like Parrot Analytics suggests both shows appealed to new viewers in Generation Z.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has openly acknowledged this is why The Mandalorian and Grogu is launching the New Republic era on the big screen. “We gave the young audience an opportunity to enter Star Wars at a different place and not feel like you have to have seen everything,” she explained. “It can become their Star Wars.“

Star Wars‘ upcoming movies are making a concerted push for new Gen Z audiences. The Mandalorian and Grogu will be followed in 2027 by Shawn Levy’s Starfighter, which has made high-profile casting decisions targeted straight at Gen Z. This, too, is being marketed as a standalone that introduces a(nother) new era.

This fits in with Disney’s corporate focus on Gen Z. Recognizing that franchises and connectivity aren’t selling points for this audience, Disney is pivoting to original IP – and doubling down on newer, less connected aspects of existing franchises like Star Wars. Both The Mandalorian and Grogu and Starfighter can potentially serve as jumping-on points for Gen Z viewers.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Feels Like A Gamble For Star Wars

The first trailer hasn’t landed well, lacking the kind of broad appeal Lucasfilm would hope for from a new Star Wars trailer. Google Trends data shows barely a bump in interest compared to the first trailers for The Rise of Skywalker or even 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story; the latter is particularly concerning, given Solo‘s poor box office performance.

But this is likely nothing to do with The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s pivot away from the Skywalker saga. Rather, it’s possible The Mandalorian‘s overall brand has been damaged a little; The Mandalorian season 3 viewership was disappointing for Disney, and that season was poorly received. In truth, then, the movie was always going to be a gamble for the franchise.

The real question is whether Gen Z will turn up. As noted, Skeleton Crew and The Acolyte were popular with Gen Z; but one had low viewership (and hasn’t been renewed for a second season), while The Acolyte was canceled. Lucasfilm’s strategy seems risky, but it is really the only way for Star Wars to go.

Last year, Christopher Nolan suggested that Oppenheimer‘s success indicated we are entering a “post-franchise era,” and the performance of this year’s Sinners and Weapons suggests he’s right. Connectivity and lore is not the draw for Gen Z; you need fresh, accessible stories. This means that Star Wars‘ pivot away from the Skywalker saga is essential to give it a future.

Ultimately, Lucasfilm is wise to move away from the Skywalker saga at last; it’s pleasing to see Star Wars evolve to suit this new era. It remains to be seen whether The Mandalorian and Grogu will perform in the box office or be overshadowed by 2027’s Starfighter, but there is a new hope for the franchise regardless.