‘Star Wars’ Drops Bombshell About Pedro Pascal’s ‘Mandalorian’ Role
The trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu is officially out, and it has sparked a strong reaction among Star Wars fans — not because the film is coming, but because of what the footage shows.
The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) marks the first theatrical Star Wars release since the Skywalker Saga concluded. The film follows three seasons of The Mandalorian, set during the early years of the New Republic.
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The Disney+ series established a largely Jedi-free corner of the galaxy (with the exception of a few cameos), focusing instead on bounty hunters, remnants of the Empire, and the fragile rebuilding of galactic order. That approach proved popular with audiences and helped anchor Disney’s streaming strategy.
Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, the armored Mandalorian known as Mando. Grogu is once again at his side, continuing the partnership that became central to the series’ success.
The cast also includes Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a colonel and leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, the son of crime lord Jabba the Hutt.
Until now, Lucasfilm had shared relatively few concrete details about the film’s plot.
Trailer Reveals a Key Shift
The newly released trailer offers the clearest look yet at what The Mandalorian & Grogu will involve. In the footage, Din Djarin is shown seeking information connected to the Hutt underworld.
That search leads him to an Ardennian character voiced by Martin Scorsese, marking a notable cameo in the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Watch the trailer now and experience the film, starring Pedro Pascal, only in theaters and IMAX May 22.
Star Wars returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Watch the trailer now and experience the film, starring Pedro Pascal, only in theaters and IMAX May 22. pic.twitter.com/0S31W8kRfq
— Star Wars (@starwars) February 17, 2026
The moment that has drawn the most attention, however, comes later in the footage.
Pedro Pascal’s face is shown clearly in the trailer. Din Djarin appears unmasked for extended sequences, including during action scenes.
This is not the first time Din has removed his helmet within the franchise. Across The Mandalorian’s three seasons, the character has done so on several occasions, each tied to specific circumstances.
In Season 1, Episode 8, his helmet is removed so a droid can treat life-threatening injuries. Season 2 features two additional removals — one to scan his face at an Imperial terminal while rescuing Grogu, and another during an emotional farewell as Grogu departs for Jedi training with Luke Skywalker.
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Those moments were limited and carried clear narrative weight. Regardless, fans were frustrated by the lack of an unmasking in Season 3.
Behind the scenes, Pascal’s physical involvement in the role has also varied. While he was in the suit at times during the first season, stunt performers such as Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder later handled much of the physical performance.
“Frankly, my body wasn’t up for the task,” Pascal told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, explaining why he primarily provided voice work in later seasons.
Why the Reveal Is Getting Attention
What has surprised fans is not that Din Djarin can remove his helmet, but that Lucasfilm chose to highlight that imagery so prominently before the film’s release.
The decision arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of The Mandalorian & Grogu. A teaser shown during the Super Bowl earlier this month reportedly divided viewers, prompting both Lucasfilm and Disney to issue statements clarifying the project’s intent.
Industry reports have also suggested the film’s performance could influence the future of interconnected Star Wars theatrical projects, including a previously announced crossover film led by Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni.
Fans have shared passionate reactions to the news.
“The arc of Din Djarin’s conflict with his helmet and showing his face we should’ve had in season 3 is finally here,” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.
Another fan wrote, “The decision to unmask Din Djarin again was so unexpected but is so appreciated like I never knew this day was coming again.”
Not all responses focused on excitement. Some viewers pointed to the emotional and cultural implications within Mandalorian lore.
“Everyone excited for helmetless din djarin because it’s pedro, i’m over here sick to my STOMACH because unless his opinions on the creed have changed, he’s going to be feeling immeasurable guilt and his own clan will shun him again until he visits the waters,” wrote one X user.
everyone excited for helmetless din djarin because it’s pedro, i’m over here sick to my STOMACH because unless his opinions on the creed have changed, he’s going to be feeling immeasurable guilt and his own clan will shun him again until he visits the waters 💔 pic.twitter.com/4Xo8P7wXht
— azariah 𖧧 (@deitydjarin) February 17, 2026
Fans will have to wait until May 22 to see how the film contextualizes the unmasking. For now, the trailer has succeeded in doing one thing — finally building hype for The Mandalorian & Grogu.
What do you think of the decision to unmask Din Djarin in The Mandalorian & Grogu?
