As more details about The Mandalorian and Grogu, the Star Wars franchise’s next movie, come to light, I become more and more convinced that it’s set to become Disney’s very own version of The Empire Strikes Back. The famed Star Wars sequel movie is often cited as the pinnacle of the franchise for a variety of reasons.
As the follow-up to the incredibly successful and historic Star Wars (later reтιтled A New Hope), it’s a wonder that Empire continues to eclipse all other Star Wars movies time and time again. Now, Disney’s Star Wars is in a similar type of position with The Mandalorian and Grogu, and I’m convinced they’re about to make their very own Empire.
The Mandalorian And Grogu Will Be More Than Just A “Fun” Movie
The Empire Strikes Back stood out right away because it was more than just a fun follow-up to Star Wars. Rather, it was grounded in its approach, unafraid to raise the stakes and even leave off on a defeated, albeit hopeful, note. It didn’t shy away from dark moments that rounded out its story.
According to Sigourney Weaver, who will play the brand-new character Colonel Ward in The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next Star Wars movie is also taking this approach. In speaking to Collider, Weaver hinted that The Mandalorian and Grogu shouldn’t be taken at face value as nothing more than a “fun” movie, even in comparison to the critically-acclaimed Andor series.
Like Empire, it seems that The Mandalorian and Grogu is going to dig into its story and provide a potentially darker, more riveting story that goes beyond the expected “fun” Star Wars movie theater experience. This fits well with the precedent The Mandalorian season 1 set, although the show drifted from that precedent in later seasons.
Star Wars’ Next Movie Has Already Referenced ESB
Of course, there’s still little we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu, which has yet to publicly release even a single trailer. What we have seen, however, proves that the movie isn’t shy in its own direct references to The Empire Strikes Back, which further ties this movie to the classic Star Wars sequel.
This is most notable with the inclusion of a battle against AT-AT Imperial walkers on a snowy world, which could very well end up being H๏τh itself. If so, it will be the first time we’ve seen that planet on screen since its debut in The Empire Strikes Back. This certainly primes The Mandalorian and Grogu as Disney’s own Empire.
Plus, this movie follows the тιтular bounty-hunting Mandalorian, Din Djarin, who’s directly inspired by Boba Fett – a character who famously made his full debut in The Empire Strikes Back after briefly being glimpsed in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. His starring role is a wider echo of the path Boba Fett paved in Empire.
It’s hard to say exactly how similar the two movies will be, knowing as little as we do currently, but even then, it’s clear to see how the groundwork has been laid, both intentionally and unintentionally. The Empire Strikes Back is untouchable, but The Mandalorian and Grogu has a chance to earn a similar kind of name for itself.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.
