In the new trailer for Star Wars’ next movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, the Empire has returned, despite having been defeated by the Rebel Alliance in the original Star Wars trilogy. From AT-AT walkers to stormtroopers outside bases, it’s clear that the Empire’s forces continue to linger in the galaxy.

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, however, takes place roughly five years after the death of Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi, and four years after the Empire’s ultimate defeat at the Battle of Jakku. How is it possible, then, that Imperial forces are still around so many years after the Empire’s fall?

The New Republic Believes Imperial Remnants Are Scattered & Disorganized

The New Republic certainly saw the defeat of the Empire at the Battle of Jakku as the end of the war, and they believed the Imperial forces to have been scattered throughout the galaxy, and thus highly disorganized. While this is the main belief amidst the fledgling governance, this is far from the truth.

The New Republic forces stationed in the galaxy’s Outer Rim have been able to identify the truth: Imperial Remnant groups still remain, and their power continues to grow. As Maarva Andor put it in the hit Star Wars TV show Andor, “the Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness,” and the same remains true after their supposed defeat.

The Empire Is More Organized Than Anyone Believes

The Empire uses the darkness of the shadows they reside in to grow stronger, as explained by Imperial leader Valin Hess on Morak in The Mandalorian season 2 – and much of this has to do with the fact they actually remain highly organized, thanks to the Imperial Shadow Council.

Made up of various Imperial loyalists, warlords, and the like, including the father of the First Order’s General Hux, this council – soon to be led by Grand Admiral Thrawn, as teased in both The Mandalorian season 3 and Ahsoka season 1 – coordinates their various groups meticulously to move effortlessly within the shadows.

This group will eventually lead to the rise of the First Order in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, though in the era of The Mandalorian and Grogu, they continue to uphold the ideals of the fallen Empire rather than any new governance. Despite what the New Republic thinks, the Empire is still alive, even if they’re working within the shadows.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.