New Information Reveals Disney’s “Concerns” Over ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) hits theaters in just a few months, but Disney insiders apparently aren’t enthused about the project.
That hesitation matters. This is Star Wars’ first theatrical release since The Rise of Skywalker arrived in 2019, closing out the sequel trilogy on a note that divided audiences and critics. Complaints ranged from rushed storytelling and abrupt character reversals to heavy reliance on nostalgia and retcons.
In the years since, Lucasfilm has leaned heavily on Disney+ as a creative testing ground. Shows like The Mandalorian initially restored goodwill, but later projects struggled to maintain momentum. Critics and fans have pointed to uneven pacing, limited stakes, and franchise fatigue across more recent series.
First announced in 2024, The Mandalorian and Grogu extends the Disney+ series that once anchored Disney’s streaming strategy. The film follows Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, and Grogu as their story moves from television back to theaters.
Disney and Lucasfilm have shared few plot details. Recent trailers confirmed Din Djarin will appear unmasked and searching for Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba, portrayed by Jeremy Allen White. A cameo from Martin Scorsese also surfaced.
Fan response has been mixed. Early teasers generated little excitement, with some viewers questioning whether the story justified a theatrical format. A later trailer was better received, largely due to Pascal’s increased on-screen presence rather than new story revelations.
Disney Questions the Film’s Big-Screen Appeal
According to Variety, there were internal concerns that the film’s 36-second Super Bowl teaser “failed to generate the kind of excitement the marketing team was hoping to spark.”
The teaser showed Din and Grogu riding a wagon pulled by Tauntauns. Some insiders reportedly viewed it as an odd creative choice, reinforcing “concerns” that the film may feel closer to an extended Disney+ episode than a cinematic event. Disney and Lucasfilm later defended the spot.
“The film itself is something of a question mark, given that it’s based on a streaming series and, consequently, may not seem like a big-screen proposition for any but the most die-hard Baby Yoda lovers,” Variety reports.
Those doubts echo broader unease. After mixed reactions to shows like The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Lucasfilm has faced criticism for overexpansion and inconsistent quality. Viewers have increasingly questioned what truly belongs on the big screen.
Why Disney Appears More Confident Elsewhere
Variety reports that Disney insiders are more optimistic about Star Wars: Starfighter, a theatrical project positioned as a clean entry point rather than a continuation.
The film is directed by Shawn Levy, written by Jonathan Tropper, and stars Ryan Gosling. The cast also includes Mia Goth, Matt Smith, and Amy Adams.
Early footage reportedly impressed select viewers. Levy has “recaptured the franchise’s spirit of fun,” according to Variety, with Gosling’s performance singled out.
A New York Times profile sheds light on that confidence. Levy recalled advice from Steven Spielberg: “You direct like you’re sitting in the audience.”
This audience-first approach may feel safer right now than betting its theatrical future on a streaming-born success.
Are you more excited for The Mandalorian and Grogu or Star Wars: Starfighter?
