Lucasfilm is nearing the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), the first Star Wars feature to reach cinemas since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The film arrives after years of franchise instability, shifting leadership, and uneven audience engagement across Disney+ – but it may also mark the exit of one of the franchise’s most pivotal figures.
Once a reliable box office event, the Star Wars franchise has spent the past six years largely confined to streaming, where quantity began to outpace quality.
In that context, expectations surrounding The Mandalorian and Grogu have been notably muted. Online reaction to early promotional material has been restrained, reflecting broader uncertainty about the franchise’s theatrical future rather than excitement over a single title.
Behind the scenes, Lucasfilm is closely watching how the film performs. Recent reporting suggests the movie’s reception will factor into decisions about whether the so-called MandoVerse continues as a cinematic crossover or is retooled into a Disney+ limited series.
That evaluation comes as the studio undergoes a leadership reset. Dave Filoni was named Lucasfilm’s co-president earlier this year alongside Lynwen Brennan following Kathleen Kennedy’s exit, signaling continuity in creative philosophy but a new operational structure.
Filoni’s long-term involvement appears secure. The same cannot be said for another figure central to the franchise’s post-2019 identity.
A Closing Chapter for a Key ‘Star Wars’ Architect
Jon Favreau has been instrumental in shaping modern Star Wars. He created The Mandalorian, served as executive producer on The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and helped establish the interconnected New Republic-era storytelling approach.
Favreau also co-wrote and directed The Mandalorian and Grogu, positioning the film as an extension of the Disney+ series rather than a standalone reboot. Now, signs suggest it may also serve as his final Star Wars project.
During a recent event unveiling new merchandise tied to the film, Favreau reflected on his tenure with the franchise. His remarks pointed toward a sense of closure with its release.
“I’ve been working on Star Wars now for seven years, and to be able to step up to doing it as a film feels like a culmination of what I’m working on,” Favreau said (via Polygon).
The comment has fueled speculation that Favreau is preparing to step away from the galaxy far, far away. If accurate, it could have direct implications for The Mandalorian’s future as a television series.
Favreau previously confirmed that scripts for a fourth season were completed before the 2023 Writers’ Strike. However, The Mandalorian and Grogu is not believed to draw from that material, and no renewal has been announced.
Without Favreau’s direct involvement, the likelihood of a fourth season appears diminished. His hands-on creative control was a defining feature of the series, distinguishing it from other Disney+ Star Wars titles with rotating creative teams.
What Do We Know About ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
Lucasfilm has disclosed few concrete plot details about The Mandalorian and Grogu. What is confirmed aligns closely with the series’ established premise rather than signaling a major narrative departure.
Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, primarily providing voice work (although there’s a chance we may see his face again) with Grogu once again positioned as the emotional anchor. The story continues during the early New Republic era, following the collapse of the Galactic Empire.
The film reportedly carries a more modest budget than previous Disney-era Star Wars features, reinforcing the studio’s scaled-back theatrical strategy amid broader cost controls.
A new journey begins.
Watch the big game spot and see The Mandalorian and Grogu only in theaters and IMAX May 22. pic.twitter.com/5M0MKbJFqr
— Star Wars (@starwars) February 8, 2026
New cast additions include Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a colonel and leader within the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba the Hutt.
Rotta’s lineage ties the film directly to legacy canon. Jabba was famously killed by Leia Organa in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), a connection that underscores Lucasfilm’s continued reliance on familiar mythology.
Are you excited for The Mandalorian and Grogu?
