Lucasfilm is preparing to bring Star Wars back to multiplexes with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), but the film’s arrival comes at a time when the franchise’s streaming-era strategy appears to be in flux.
Scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, the feature continues the story of Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, and his Force-sensitive companion Grogu. The duo first captured audiences when The Mandalorian premiered in 2019, helping establish Star Wars as a major presence on Disney+. That success led to a wave of interconnected series, including The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew, all tied into what became known as the Mando-Verse.
Recent developments, however, suggest that long-term plans for that shared narrative may be shifting. Several New Republic-era projects have reportedly slowed or been reevaluated, coinciding with leadership changes at Lucasfilm. At this point, only The Mandalorian and Grogu and Ahsoka Season 2 appear firmly in development, while a fourth season of The Mandalorian has yet to be confirmed.
Director Jon Favreau has emphasized that the upcoming film is not a direct continuation of the Disney+ series. Although scripts for Season 4 exist, the movie is designed as its own story, marking a move away from episodic storytelling toward a theatrical format.
With a reported runtime of approximately two hours and 20 minutes, the film aligns with the length of recent Star Wars theatrical releases. Lucasfilm is also expected to avoid a festival premiere, with reports indicating the studio will opt for a traditional rollout rather than debuting at Cannes.
The Mandalorian and Grogu carries additional significance as the first Star Wars movie to hit theaters since Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Directed by Favreau and co-written alongside Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor, the film follows Din Djarin and Grogu as they align with the New Republic while confronting remnants of the Empire.
Pascal reprises his role as the armored bounty hunter, while Grogu is once again realized through practical effects. The cast also includes Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, and Jonny Coyne returning as an Imperial warlord. As Lucasfilm pivots back to theaters, the film represents both a continuation of a popular storyline and a key test for the franchise’s future direction beyond streaming.
But as Star Wars reclaims the big screen, it won’t be the only 2026 sci-fi story competing for attention.
Amazon MGM Studios has entered the conversation with Project Hail Mary (2026), an adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel that has quickly made an impression at the global box office.
The film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a microbiologist and middle school teacher tasked with preventing humanity’s extinction. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and written by Drew Goddard, the movie has exceeded expectations, earning $140.9 million worldwide since its March 20, 2026, debut.
Joining Gosling are Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt and James Ortiz, who provides both the voice and puppetry for the alien character Rocky.
“The new release zoomed past Scream 7, this year’s previous biggest seller overall, and also overtook Creed III in having the fastest start for a production by Amazon MGM Studios,” the BBC wrote. “In a statement seen by Variety, Amazon MGM’s distribution boss Kevin Wilson said the novel had given them ‘a powerful foundation’ before the directors ‘created a visually stunning, heart-gripping film'”.
The strong opening highlights ongoing audience interest in large-scale science fiction, particularly when paired with high-profile talent and original storytelling. Project Hail Mary now ranks among the biggest openings for a non-franchise film, alongside titles such as Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).
Despite their different origins, the parallels between Project Hail Mary and The Mandalorian and Grogu are difficult to ignore. Both center on a lone human forming a bond with an alien companion—Gosling’s Ryland Grace with Rocky, and Pascal’s Din Djarin with Grogu.
Each story also revolves around survival. In Star Wars, Din and Grogu face off against Imperial remnants while supporting the New Republic. In Project Hail Mary, Grace and Rocky confront a microorganism known as Astrophage, which threatens the Sun itself.
There are also character similarities. Grogu, once dependent on Din, is expected to demonstrate greater independence in the film, mirroring Rocky’s role as a capable and resourceful partner to Grace.
With Project Hail Mary already performing strongly, comparisons between the two films are likely to intensify as The Mandalorian and Grogu approaches its release. The outcome could shape expectations not only for Star Wars’ theatrical return but also for the broader future of blockbuster science fiction.
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