With the Mando-Verse Seemingly at Its End, ‘Star Wars’ Confirms Major Character Now “On the Shelf”
The next chapter of Star Wars storytelling is heading to theaters, but one of the saga’s most recognizable bounty hunters may not be part of the journey.
As Lucasfilm prepares to release The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, actor Temuera Morrison has indicated that Boba Fett isn’t currently included in the franchise’s immediate plans. The update arrives during a period of change for Star Wars, both creatively and behind the scenes, as longtime executive Kathleen Kennedy prepares to depart and Dave Filoni rises to a leadership role at the studio.
Star Wars Returns to Theaters With The Mandalorian and Grogu
After several years focused primarily on Disney+ series, Star Wars is heading back to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled to arrive on May 22, 2026. The project marks the first theatrical installment since 2019 and continues the story of Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and his Force-sensitive companion Grogu, who began their journey on television.
Anticipation for the film has grown steadily, though some of the early marketing has sparked debate among fans. A Super Bowl LX television spot in February prompted a range of reactions, and reports later suggested the theatrical trailer was altered for certain screenings.
Disney Changes The Mandalorian and Grogu Trailer
According to reports, the version of the trailer shown in theaters differs from the earlier promotional cut. Several action-focused shots were reportedly removed or replaced.
Among the moments absent from the revised preview: A flamethrower scene involving Din Djarin battling snowtroopers; A high-speed chase featuring stormtroopers riding speeders; and Footage of BX battle droids charging across a battlefield.
The updated trailer instead highlights destruction involving vehicles and droids, including a dramatic sequence showing an AT-AT walker being destroyed. The adjustment appears designed to emphasize spectacle while limiting direct combat between human characters.
The change may simply reflect the trailer being attached to family-oriented theatrical releases, but it has still generated discussion among viewers about whether Disney is adjusting the tone of the upcoming film. While those marketing decisions have attracted attention, a larger conversation is unfolding around a character who played a significant role in launching the interconnected “Mando-Verse” storyline.
Temuera Morrison Says Boba Fett Is Not Involved Moving Forward
Temuera Morrison, who has portrayed Boba Fett in recent Star Wars projects, says he hasn’t heard from Lucasfilm about returning to the franchise.
Speaking while promoting the upcoming film The Bluff (2026), Morrison revealed that his character has effectively been placed on hold for now.
“I was only joking. I’m at a convention, and I say stupid things,” Morrison said while discussing a previous moment when he encouraged fans to campaign for Boba Fett’s return (via Inverse). “Then I’ve got [Lucasfilm] ringing me: ‘Look, you’ve been put on the shelf, Boba Fett. We might open up the jar later.’”
The actor leaned into the metaphor while describing the situation. “[I’m] shelved, that’s all,” Morrison said. “Like a jar of peaches.”
At the moment, that suggests the famed bounty hunter will not appear in the next installment of the interconnected Star Wars storyline that includes The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and other New Republic–era projects.
The development is surprising considering how central Boba Fett was to the early expansion of Star Wars on Disney+.
The character re-emerged dramatically in The Mandalorian Season 2 before taking center stage in the spinoff series The Book of Boba Fett. The show followed the former bounty hunter as he attempted to claim control of Tatooine’s criminal underworld.
Although the series debuted with strong interest, fan reactions were mixed. Some viewers felt the narrative drifted away from its title character, especially when several episodes pivoted to focus heavily on Din Djarin and Grogu, along with appearances by Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
Even so, Morrison says he thoroughly enjoyed working on the series and initially imagined it continuing for years. “It was a big deal for me,” he said. “When you do a series like Boba Fett and work with Ming-Na [Wen], I started to think, ‘Man, this is it. I’m away. Season 2, 3, 4.’”
Instead, Lucasfilm has not announced a second season of the show, leaving the character’s future unclear.
Regardless of what happens next, Morrison’s connection to Star Wars extends far beyond Boba Fett. The actor first joined the franchise as Jango Fett in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones. In the film, Jango serves as the genetic template for the Republic’s clone army.
That storyline has allowed Morrison’s likeness and voice to appear throughout the saga across numerous clone troopers and commanders. “I’m Jango. I’m Boba. I’m Commander Cody. I’m all the clones,” he said. “The list goes on, so I really can’t complain.”
While Morrison’s comments suggest Boba Fett is currently sidelined, the door may still be open for the character’s return. Lucasfilm’s interconnected storytelling across The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew has shown that characters can reappear years after their last appearance.
Still, the overall direction of the Mando-era storyline has become less certain.
Lucasfilm is currently undergoing leadership changes as Kathleen Kennedy prepares to step down from her role as president. Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are moving into expanded positions within the company. Filoni’s promotion has also raised questions about his own planned Mando-Verse crossover film. Several reports suggest the project could be reworked as a limited Disney+ series or possibly canceled.
At present, only two projects remain active in the New Republic timeline: The Mandalorian and Grogu and the upcoming second season of Ahsoka. With no official confirmation of The Mandalorian Season 4 and no progress on Filoni’s movie, the long-term roadmap for this corner of the Star Wars universe appears far less defined than it once did.
For now, fans heading into the franchise’s theatrical return will be following Din Djarin and Grogu on their next mission—while Boba Fett’s helmet remains stored away, waiting for the moment Lucasfilm decides to open that “jar” again.
How do you feel about this Boba Fett exclusion from the Star Wars franchise? Let us know in the comments down below!
