Season 4 of Disney+ Series Could Replace Mando and Grogu Amid Film Struggles
The future of Star Wars may not belong solely to its established heroes.
A recent report from industry insider Daniel Richtman, cited by The Direct, claims Lucasfilm is moving forward with another season of the anime anthology Star Wars: Visions. The Disney+ series launched in 2021 and features short stories created by animation studios from around the world, often exploring corners of the galaxy outside the main canon.
Could Mando and Grogu Be Replaced?
One character fans have continued to ask about is Lop, the young Lepi protagonist of the Volume 1 episode “Lop and Ocho.” Set during the reign of the Galactic Empire, the story follows Lop and her hovering droid companion TD-4 as they become caught in a conflict involving the Empire and a divided family.
Despite the episode’s critical acclaim, the character has not yet to return, despite last year’s Volume 3 giving us sequels to some of the most popular Volume 1 episodes.
But now that Visions is set to continue to expand with new stories—even if Volume 4 isn’t official yet, Star Wars: Visions Presents will launch dedicated spinoff series later this year starting with “The Ninth Jedi”—Lop could easily reappear.
The renewed interest in alternative Star Wars stories comes at an uncertain moment for one of the franchise’s most recognizable duos.
Lucasfilm is preparing to bring Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu to theaters in The Mandalorian & Grogu, which arrives May 22, 2026. The film will be the first Star Wars theatrical release since The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The Mandalorian & Grogu Struggles
However, early reactions to the promotional material have been mixed. The film’s first trailer struggled to generate strong buzz online, and a Super Bowl spot featuring the characters riding in a tauntaun-drawn carriage drew confusion from viewers.
According to Variety, there have also been internal concerns that the ad “failed to generate the kind of excitement the marketing team was hoping to spark.”
The project also arrives several years after The Mandalorian Season 3 concluded in 2023. That season received mixed reactions, raising questions about whether audiences remain as invested in the characters as they once were.
If the film fails to meet expectations, Lucasfilm could eventually look toward new characters to anchor future stories.
And in a franchise that has increasingly experimented with animation and anthology storytelling, characters like Lop—and her droid companion TD-4—may yet find their moment.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Plot and Cast
“The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy,” the film’s official synopsis on StarWars.com reads. “As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.”
The Mandalorian & Grogu stars Pedro Pascal (Din Djarin/The Mandalorian), Sigourney Weaver (Ward), Jeremy Allen White (Rotta the Hutt), and Grogu.
Are you excited about The Mandalorian & Grogu? Or would you rather wait for Star Wars: Visions Volume 4? And what are your thoughts on “Lop and Ocho”? Let us know in the comments!
