Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu: Release Date, Cast, Trailers & More
We break down who's in it, who's behind it, what it's about, when it takes place, and more.
Over a decade ago, when Disney began its very own Star Wars adventure, the promise to fans was different: a new film every year. That initially took the form of biannual mainline “saga” pictures and standalone “Star Wars Anthology” films in the off years. The anthology initiative eventually became the “Star Wars Story” subtitle while the mainline films, starting with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, continued the episodic structure of the Original and Prequel Trilogies.
But when Solo: A Star Wars Story arrived in theaters six months after Star Wars: The Last Jedi and underperformed, the yearly schedule was upended. Meanwhile, Disney+ needed more original offerings and some Lucasfilm projects were converted to television series. The results of that pivot led to the well-received The Mandalorian and other programs of varied success.
Now, Disney is resting its cinematic hopes on The Mandalorian himself, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), and his lovable ward Grogu in a film appropriately titled Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Will it restore some of Star Wars’ prestige in the theaters? Will the Clan of Two leap to the big screen as well as they took the lead in the streaming wars? Let’s take stock of everything we know about the film and see if we can’t see a little into the always-in-motion future of Star Wars.
“I Can Bring You In Warm Or I Can Bring You In Cold”
Thanks to the presentation at last year’s Star Wars Celebration in Japan, the more recent trailers, and a special screening of the first 25 minutes on May 4, we know some details of the film’s plot. Djarin and Grogu are still independent bounty hunters, but after the events of The Mandalorian‘s third season, their ties to the New Republic have never been stronger. Djarin is well aware of the threat the Imperial Remnant represents to his little family, the re-established Mandalorian presence on Mandalore, and the galaxy at large. Consequently, he told his contacts in the Republic he would be ready to earn some coin working for their cause.
And ithe Republic is receptive to this, as Djarin and Grogu now take missions from a Galactic Civil War X-Wing pilot who now has a leadership position in the Outer Rim territories. It is unclear how extensive her duties are, but from a scene in the opening act, we know she is also interested in getting intel from Remnant Warlords. It remains to be seen if Djarin is the most effective tool in that aim, though.
Oh, and she also knows how to stop Grogu from snacking… Well, sort of, anyway.
Djarin and Grogu’s latest mission also brings them into contact with the Hutts, the slug-like rulers of organized crime in certain parts of the galaxy. But why, after all this time, is the Republic concerned about the Hutt cartel? And will Djarin have to take another dip in the Living Waters on Mandalore to remove the shame of being unmasked in their presence? The trailer indicates as much, although the Dragonsnake in the preview shots suggests Mando might be in a different body of water.
And while we’re asking questions, where did the Clan of Two find another Razorcrest? (The special preview screening answered this, but we won’t spoil it.)
Along The Hyperspace Routes
Djarin and Grogu’s newest adventure takes them to various environments. One we know from the footage shown at Celebration that one is an ice world similar to The Empire Strikes Back’s Hoth. Consequently, Djarin will take on an AT-AT or three in a scene that, we have to say, was pretty cool.
The tangle with the Hutts means a visit to Nal Hutta, the home world of the species. This marks the planet’s live action debut, although it has been part of Star Wars lore for decades. And as biomes in the Star Wars galaxy become less unique, we’ll call Hutta a marsh world, although it may be more swampy outside of the fortress Djarin and Grogu visit.
Various previews also suggested the Clan of Two will land on Nar Shadda, the moon orbiting Nal Hutta known for being the largest hive of scum and villainy across the galaxy. But, as it turns out, Mando will visit a different moon called Shakari instead. Like Nar Shadda and galactic capital Coruscant, it is a city world with all the appropriate shops, stands, and giant light-up advertisements. But this one is said to evoke the feel of 1920s Chicago. It is a great Star Wars local, even if it means Nar Shadda loses out on another chance at finally appearing in live action.
And there are other worlds to visit, like the tropical world the New Republic uses as its main Outer Rim base, and, possibly, Mandalore itself if Djarin really needs to dive into the Living Waters again. But all of the preview material — even the May the Fourth screening — leave these other locations as part of the mystery.
The Marks And The Hunters
Pascal returns as Djarin, both in voice and body — a relative rarity, as the actor’s schedule means the Mando suit is often worn by actors Lateef Crowder and Brendan Wayne.The pair were even credited alongside Pascal in The Mandalorian’s third season. They also return for the film. But things are different for the character, now, when compared to the series. He has a home on Nevarro with Grogu and a purpose to root out the Remnant. It’s a far cry from the initial lone wanderer who supported a struggling band of Mandos with his inconsistent earnings as a bounty hunter.
Also along for the ride is Grogu. Although Force-senstive — and still capable of using Jedi abilities, as seen in the trailers — he made a choice in The Book of Boba Fett to live as a Mandalorian. It remains to be seen, though, if he will get a full suit of armor; the trailers indicates he has some more Beskar of his own at this point, though. In the meantime, he continues to be a little stinker, stealing snacks and causing trouble where he can. That said, it is interesting to hear Djarin recognize that his son will outlive him by centuries and that he needs to secure some peace in the galaxy for Grogu’s sake. Still a youngling himself, Grogu can’t speak just yet, and while former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy recently mentioned the child will not talk in the film, we’ll be very surprised if the story ends without him uttering his first word.
Alien’s Sigourney Weaver makes her way to the Star Wars galaxy as Colonel Ward, Djarin’s new Republic contact. Beyond her previous role as a X-Wing pilot, little is known about her. But her mention of revenge in one of the trailers — if even just to decry the suggestion — indicates some of her campaign against the Remnant is personally motivated. Also, we expect her to suit up and fly her old X-Wing at some point in the story.
Steve Blum once again lends his voice to Garazeb Orrelios — aka Zeb — the fan-favorite character from Star Wars Rebels. Zeb also made a brief appearance at the end of The Mandalorian’s most recent season to establish his place in the Republic. Additionally, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s diminutive Babu Frik is said to make an appearance.
Representing the Hutts this time around is The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White as Rotta, Jabba’s son. The character first debuted in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars feature film as a much younger Huttling Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) dubbed “Stinky.” Decades later, though, he is a buff Hutt who enjoys getting in the ring and battling opponents. We know from the plot description of the film that Rotta becomes an integral part of the story when Mando is tasked with rescuing him in exchange for vital information on another Imperial target. Additionally, Rotta’s uncle and aunt — the Hutt Twins from The Book of Boba Fett — will also appear.
Eagle-eyed viewers of the first full trailer also identified the Kyuzo bounty hunter named Embo. His silhouette bears a resemblance to deceased bounty hunter Cad Bane (Corey Burton) and that could cause some confusion for those familiar with the more famous Star Wars face. Certain comic books see Embo working as a bounty hunter during the film’s time period, although subsequent adventures reveal he retires to a farm on Felucia around this time, too. The character was voiced on The Clone Wars by supervising director Dave Filoni — more on him later — but it remains to be seen if he will reprise that role here.
Another antagonist is Jonny Coyne’s Remnant warlord, who seems to be actually be named Commander Coyne. He previously appeared in The Mandalorian as part of the Shadow Council looking to put Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) at the top of a restored Empire. That may still be his objective here, but does he have his own Imperial aspirations? He is interested in playing pirate on the hyperspace lanes, after all. Actor Hemky Madera’s unnamed Shadow Council member from The Mandalorian can also be glimpsed in the trailers and makes a big appearance in the 25 minutes screened on May 4.
One curious addition to the cast is legendary director (and savior of Turner Classic Movies) Martin Scorsese as an Ardennian shopkeeper — the same species as Solo’s Rio Durant (voiced in that film by Jon Favreau). It is unclear how large his role is, though, as he declines to help Djarin learn anything about the Hutts. Or, at least, that is what the trailer implies as the scene — also in the 25 minute preview — offers the character a chance to be a little more helpful. Additionally, he might operate the best food stall we’ve ever seen in a Star Wars movie, show, or video game.
The Planners
The Mandalorian executive producer and showrunner Jon Favreau takes the helm as director. It is a chair he is quite familiar with, having made films like Iron Man, Chef, and the live action Lion King remake. He knows how to make a movie, and his stewardship of The Mandalorian proves he can make Star Wars, but will it all translate into a successful Star Wars movie?
Joining him at the writers’ desk is long-time collaborator and newly-appointed Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni. The pair have been working together since Favreau first came to the company with his Mandalorian pitch. Now, with the duo in prime creative positions, The Mandalorian and Grogu represents the next big step in their Star Wars story.
The pair are also producers on the film, alongside Kathleen Kennedy, long-time Transformers producer Ian Bryce, and frequent Favreau collaborator Karen Gilchrist.
Lighting the film is constant Kevin Smith cinematographer Dave Klein. He first came to Star Wars in The Book of Boba Fett, though he has worked on Pushing Daisies and Deadwood: The Movie. His lighting also offers the film a visual continuity with the Mando TV series, as he joined that production in its third season. Other crew include editors Dylan Firshein and Rachel Katz, production designer Doug Chiang — another dependable Lucasfilm name — costume designer Mary Zophres, and Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson. Considering he already scores The Mandalorian, his musical contributions also offer a certain continuity.
Launch Window
The Mandalorian And Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22 — a traditional launch window for a Star Wars film. Its release also ends a seven-year absence of Star Wars from theaters. The Rise of Skywalker was, in fact, released in 2019. That pause could be in the film’s favor. Of course, audiences are familiar with both the Mandalorian and Grogu thanks to the Disney+ series, so it remains to be seen if their big screen debut will conjure up nostalgic memories of the Clan of Two for moviegoers.
Either way, Star Wars continues its return to theaters in 2027 with Star Wars: Starfighter, a film set decades after The Mandalorian and Grogu. Additional projects beyond that include long-in-development films focusing on Daisy Ridley’s Rey, the first Jedi some 30,000 years prior to the Skywalker Saga, and Filoni’s feature film debut. Rebels executive producer Simon Kinberg is also working on a trilogy of his own, set after Rise.
For Djarin and Grogu, though, a fourth season of The Mandalorian may one day materialize, as Favreau mentioned the scripts are on his desk and subsequently revealed the original plan for the season would have tied into Filoni’s film. Then again, a wildly successful feature debut may leave Djarin and Grogu as movie stars.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theaters on May 22. Get your tickets here.
