Disney Makes ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ for Kids Two Months Before ‘Star Wars’ Movie Releases
After nearly seven years away from multiplexes, Star Wars is preparing for its return to the big screen–and the galaxy far, far away is doing it with two characters who were born on streaming. Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) is set to arrive in theaters on May 22, 2026, marking the franchise’s first feature film since 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker.
Directed by Jon Favreau, the film extends the story that began with The Mandalorian on Disney+ in 2019. That series reshaped expectations for what Star Wars storytelling could look like on television, introducing Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and his Force-sensitive ward, Grogu, to global audiences. Now, those small-screen origins are taking center stage in a theatrical release, a first for characters launched in the streaming era.
Set approximately five years after Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983), the story unfolds during the early days of the New Republic. The Empire has fallen, but its remnants are far from extinguished. Din and Grogu once again find themselves targeted by Imperial loyalists who continue to operate in the shadows of a fractured galaxy. These scattered factions are expected to drive much of the film’s primary conflict.
Din’s evolution has mirrored the galaxy’s shifting power structure. Introduced as a lone bounty hunter taking jobs with little regard for politics, he has gradually assumed a more purposeful role aligned with the New Republic. Across three seasons, the character’s journey has transformed him from detached mercenary to reluctant protector, not only of Grogu, but of something larger than himself.
The theatrical leap also brings fresh casting choices. Sigourney Weaver joins the saga as Admiral Ward, a senior New Republic figure who is said to leave a significant impression. Meanwhile, Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba, who will reportedly share major screen time with Din and even travel alongside him during part of the story.
Several established characters will also appear. Dave Filoni reprises his role as New Republic pilot Trapper Wolf. Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios from Star Wars Rebels is set to make the jump to live action once more. Members of the Anzellan species, first introduced in Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker, are also expected to appear. Notably, however, these characters were absent from the film’s recent primetime promotional footage.
That first look arrived during Super Bowl LX in a 36-second teaser. Rather than previewing major plot points or escalating the stakes, the spot leaned heavily into sentiment. Din and Grogu were shown traveling through snow in a tauntaun-drawn carriage, evoking imagery reminiscent of a Budweiser Clydesdales commercial.
The decision to spotlight tone over spectacle was intentional. Jackson George, Disney Executive VP of Creative Marketing, explained, via Variety, “Grogu is more than a character; he’s a pop culture phenomenon. Riding alongside the heroic Mandalorian, he brings lightness, humor, joy, and an instant emotional connection that transcends the moment.” According to George, the aim was to reconnect audiences emotionally rather than reveal story specifics.
Even so, some longtime fans questioned whether sentiment alone could sustain anticipation, particularly given the lengthy theatrical hiatus.
A full trailer followed, offering new footage and more concrete glimpses of the story. However, audiences attending a recent screening of Disney Pixar’s Hoppers (2026) noticed something different.
The Direct reports that Lucasfilm and Disney have officially altered The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer for theatrical audiences, replacing three scenes from the online version. Among the changes: a sequence of Din Djarin using a flamethrower against snowtroopers was swapped for a moment in which he destroys an AT-AT and checks on Grogu, complete with added dialogue. Shots of running BX droids were replaced with large turret sequences. A speeder-mounted stormtrooper moment was also removed in favor of droids being destroyed by a flying object.
The remainder of the trailer appears intact, but the edits suggest that Lucasfilm may be refining the footage for younger viewers in theatrical settings. Whether this version will eventually replace the online trailer remains unclear.
Beyond the film itself, developments in Star Wars publishing have also reshaped key mythology. The Mandalorian Season 3 appeared to confirm that Jedi Master Kelleran Beq–played by Ahmed Best–rescued Grogu from the Jedi Temple during Order 66.
However, the comic “Jar Jar #1” introduces a significant twist. It reveals that Jar Jar Binks played an active role in the escape, coordinating with Naboo forces and helping secure Grogu’s departure from Coruscant. The revelation reframes the rescue as a coordinated operation rather than a solitary act, while repositioning Jar Jar as an unexpectedly crucial figure in Grogu’s survival.
With theatrical Star Wars poised for its return, The Mandalorian and Grogu carries more than just the weight of fan expectations. It represents a strategic shift, one that could define how the franchise balances streaming success with cinematic spectacle moving forward.
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