For years, Yoda was the ultimate symbol of wisdom, longevity, and Force mastery in Star Wars. Now, it looks like Grogu (AKA “The Child”), the pint-sized prodigy first introduced in The Mandalorian (2019), is stepping into that space — and not just in terms of popularity.
A Brief History of Grogu in The Mandalorian
We all know that Grogu belongs to the same mysterious species as Jedi masters Yoda and Yaddle, a group that has always been shrouded in secrecy.
The Disney+ series gradually revealed Grogu’s story: he’s around 50 years old, trained briefly at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, and survived Order 66 (although that was recently retconned in Star Wars comics), escaping the galaxy-wide Jedi purge with the help of Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (Ahmed Best).
Grogu’s relationship with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) was the heart of the Disney+ series, providing emotional weight to their planet-hopping adventures in the faraway galaxy.
That story is now set to continue in The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), the franchise’s first theatrical continuation of a live-action Star Wars series, which hits theaters on May 22. Now, a brand-new trailer for the film, which premiered on February 17, has a line that suggests that Grogu has a very long future in the franchise.
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Grogu’s Future in Star Wars Has Been Confirmed
While it’s unclear who he’s speaking to, Din can be heard saying, “The kid will live centuries beyond me.” That single line reframes Grogu’s place in the Star Wars timeline.
He already shares key qualities with Yoda — a mysterious species with Force sensitivity. He has also become a defining figure for a younger generation, dominating toy aisles, merchandise, and appearances in Disney Parks.
Grogu Now Officially Rivals Yoda
Now, this new trailer hints that he may not just inherit Yoda’s symbolic role but also rival him in age, potentially becoming one of the most enduring Jedi figures in the galaxy.
The line from the trailer also implies that Grogu is alive during the events of the sequel trilogy, which takes place decades after The Mandalorian timeline.
Throughout the series Grogu moved from sidekick to co-lead, and Lucasfilm now seems ready to lean into that shift. Whether this reveal signals a long-term plan for the character or simply acknowledges the fact that his species lives for centuries, one thing is clear: for many fans, Grogu has already replaced Yoda as the franchise’s most iconic Jedi figure.
The Mandalorian and Grogu in Theaters May
The Mandalorian and Grogu stars Pedro Pascal (Din Djarin), Sigourney Weaver (Ward), Jeremy Allen White (Rotta the Hutt), and Jonny Coyne (an unnamed Imperial Warlord).
Several key characters from the Disney+ series, such as The Armorer (Emily Swallow), Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris), IG-11 (Taika Waititi), Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and Bo-Katan (Sackhoff), aren’t expected to return.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to release in theaters on May 22.
Are you excited about The Mandalorian and Grogu? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
