Credit: LucasfilmDin Djarin is set to make an epic return to the faraway galaxy, but the film adaptation of The Mandalorian (2019) may be his final outing. And the signs are everywhere.
When it was announced last month that we’re getting a film adaptation of The Mandalorian, many fans were slightly baffled. Though we’re all very excited to see Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu take to the silver screen, it feels like an odd move given the flagship series’ once-incredible popularity has waned over the past year, owing most thanks to Season 3.
We always knew there was a Mando-Verse movie in the works — a separate project that will unite characters from the New Republic era-set Disney+ shows — but The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) will be led by the titular bounty hunter and pint-sized Force-wielder. Was this project inevitable, or are Disney and Lucasfilm attempting to relaunch the two characters?
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It wasn’t just Season 3 that hurt the once-good name of The Mandalorian. The two spinoffs, The Book of Boba Fett (2021) and Ahsoka (2023), also received mixed to negative reviews, leaving fans feeling disenfranchised with the Disney+ shows altogether. So perhaps The Mandalorian & Grogu is nothing more than a spot of some much-needed damage control.
With Lucasfilm eyeing a 2026 release, The Mandalorian & Grogu will likely arrive before Season 4 (which many fans believe the film will replace). However, while the Mandalorian and Grogu are set to make an epic return, at the same time, Star Wars may be about to say goodbye to Din Djarin, as many clues are pointing to the beloved bounty hunter’s exit.
Untitled Mandalorian Game Without Din Djarin
According to Insider Gaming, a “Mandalorian” video game is currently being developed at Respawn Entertainment. But don’t get too excited, as the article says, “According to sources, the game will see the player take control of a Mandalorian bounty hunter (unclear who) set during the time when the Galactic Empire is dominating across the galaxy.”
Of course, we know Din isn’t the only Mandalorian out there — Season 3 spent a great deal of time reminding us about that. So it makes sense that Star Wars will continue introducing new Beskar-clad warriors over time. But our point is that, should the game revolve around a new character, it would be bizarre considering Din Djarin is set to make his theatrical debut.
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Star Wars Outlaws
It’s possible the main character in the rumored Mandalorian game is Din Djarin — we’ll just have to wait and see if “this is the way.” But everyone’s favorite Mandalore-born warrior is at risk of losing his popularity either way, as a brand-new bounty hunter will take center stage on the gaming side of the faraway galaxy later this year. Move over, Cal Kestis!
Bounty hunter Kay Vess (Humberly González) is the main character of the upcoming open-world game Star Wars Outlaws (2024). And, just like Din Djarin, she’s accompanied by a small, adorable alien companion named Nix (Dee Bradley Baker), with whom she undertakes dangerous missions in the galaxy’s seedy criminal underworld.
With all that said, Din Djarin may show up in cameo-form, as the game takes place between Star Wars: Episode V — Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), which is only six or so years before The Mandalorian Season 1. Either way, he wouldn’t exactly be one of the game’s main characters — a bit like his role in Season 3!
Related: ‘Star Wars’ May Replace the Mando-Verse Next Year, Amid Criticism of Disney+ Shows
Season 4 May Side-Line Din Djarin
The Mandalorian Season 3 hardly impressed fans and critics with its storytelling and pacing issues last year. But what really seemed to alienate viewers was watching Din Djarin essentially hand over his series to fellow Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), which has left many fans wondering if the title of the show ever applied specifically to Din.
Bo-Katan is a beloved Star Wars character and it was exciting to finally see her get the live-action attention she’s deserved since she appeared in the critically acclaimed animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 — 2020). However, there’s a lot of speculation that the ex-Death Watch member will seize control of more than just her home world in Season 4.
While it’s very unlikely Bo-Katan will carry the show forward without Din Djarin (never say never), it will be understandably difficult for many fans to watch the Mando-Verse’s iconic figurehead be relegated to the side-lines with all the other Mandalorians. We love Bo-Katan Kryze, which is why we think she needs her own Disney+ series and not someone else’s.
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Disneyland Din Djarin and Grogu Meet ‘n’ Greet
In January, it was confirmed that Din Djarin and Grogu had become permanent fixtures at Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris. However, just a few weeks later, the two iconic characters had mysteriously disappeared from their photo location at Discovery Cove.
While the pair may return, the fact their page has been removed from the official Disneyland Paris website and the Disneyland Paris app doesn’t bode well. Are they being replaced by Kay Vess and Nix from Star Wars Outlaws? Only time will tell.
Related: All 12 Main Characters From ‘Star Wars’ Mando-Verse Ranked From Worst to Best
Hasbro’s New Star Wars Toy Line
Clues that seemingly point towards Din Djarin’s Star Wars exit go far beyond film, television, video games, and Disney Parks.
Recently, per ScreenRant, Hasbro’s description for an upcoming action figure listing, as part of the “Star Wars: The Vintage Collection The Mandalorian (Mines of Mandalore),” says that Din Djarin was “‘once a lone bounty hunter’ before reuniting with Grogu and adopting him as his own,” adding that “the duo will ‘take a stand against the Imperial remnant.'”
This likely relates to The Mandalorian Season 3 finale, in which Din tracks down Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) to find work that would see him hunting Imperial remnants, a far cry from typical bounty-hunting. While this hardly sounds like Mando is on his way out, it does further lend to him being replaced by Bo-Katan in the Disney+ series.
The Mandalorian & Grogu
The big-screen adaptation of any television series is always a great sign, but in the case of Din Djarin, The Mandalorian & Grogu may be his swan song. And what better send-off for a beloved character than a major blockbuster event, right?
While the idea of Din Djarin being killed off is upsetting, it’s not like we wouldn’t ever see him again. Star Wars is always killing off characters, but because the franchise adopts non-linear storytelling, we’re never kept apart from our favorites for too long.
It’s also worth pointing out that Pedro Pascal’s career is flourishing. Not only will he reprise his role as Joel in The Last of Us Season 2, but he was recently confirmed to be playing Reed Richards, AKA Mr. Fantastic, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Fantastic Four reboot.
What to Expect From Star Wars
Star Wars continues to expand in all corners of the faraway galaxy. Upcoming live-action shows include The Acolyte (2024), Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024), and Ahsoka Season 2 (TBA), while upcoming animated shows include Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 (set to premiere on February 21) and Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Season 2 (TBA). There are also several movies in the works, such as The Mandalorian & Grogu, an untitled Mando-Verse crossover, the Sequel-era film with Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley), and a film from James Mangold that will revolve around the origins of the Force. Upcoming video games include Star Wars Outlaws, Star Wars: Hunters (2024), and the rumored Mandalorian game.
Do you think Din Djarin’s days are numbered? Or will The Mandalorian & Grogu become a renaissance for the character in the same way The Mandalorian Season 1 was for the Star Wars franchise? Let Inside the Magic know your thoughts in the comments down below!