In just over a year, the Star Wars saga will make its triumphant return to the big screen for the first time since December 2019. While details about The Mandalorian and Grogu remain as mysterious as the Force itself, tidbits about its cast and characters are steadily emerging.
The latest revelation, following the film’s January 2024 announcement, centers on none other than Sigourney Weaver and her enigmatic role in the Star Wars galaxy. Fans now have their first clues about who she might be playing in this highly anticipated chapter of the New Republic.
The galaxy far, far away is set to expand in spectacular fashion, with familiar faces and unexpected surprises joining the fray. Pedro Pascal will reprise his role as the voice of Din Djarin, though whether he’ll don the Beskar armor himself remains to be seen. With Pascal’s involvement in The Mandalorian Season 3 largely vocal, fans are eager to know if this cinematic installment will see him back in action alongside Grogu.
Perhaps the most exciting addition is legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, who is currently wowing audiences in The Tempest on London’s West End. Weaver is officially stepping into the Star Wars universe, and her enthusiasm for the project is infectious. In an interview with Deadline in August 2024, Weaver shared her thoughts on joining the galaxy’s ever-expanding lore:
“I’m playing a role in The Mandalorian [and] Grogu [which will be directed by Jon Favreau],” she revealed. “I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day. I’m filming that before I go to London for The Tempest at the end of the year.”
Weaver added: “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t say much about it right now, but it’s fun to bounce between all these different universes.”
A new report has since surfaced, offering more insight into Weaver’s character. According to Jeff Sneider, AKA The Insneider, via Comic Book Movie, Weaver will portray a character named Colonel Bishop. While neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has confirmed this, rumors suggest that Colonel Bishop could serve as a new antagonist for Din Djarin and Grogu. Earlier reports also hinted at Weaver playing a villain in the film.
Weaver isn’t the only star joining Jon Favreau’s cinematic venture. Jeremy Allen White (Shameless, The Bear) is reportedly stepping into the role of Rotta the Hutt—Jabba the Hutt’s estranged son. Rotta, affectionately nicknamed “Stinky,” first appeared in The Clone Wars (2008) but hasn’t been seen since the animated series.
Adding to the intrigue, Dave Filoni’s fan-favorite Kyuzo bounty hunter, Embo, is also rumored to play a significant role. As previously reported, “Embo will be a ‘pretty significant part of the plot,’ as the story focuses on Din and Grogu being hired to rescue the kidnapped Rotta from Embo.”
For fans of The Clone Wars, Embo’s transition to live-action is nothing short of exciting.
Meanwhile, other Star Wars films from James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Shawn Levy, Patty Jenkins, and Simon Kinberg are reportedly in development, though release dates remain elusive. Disney recently shuffled its December 2026 Star Wars slot in favor of Ice Age 6 from 20th Century Studios, leaving fans eagerly awaiting updates.
What are your thoughts on the cast of The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let us know in the comments!
