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Credit: LucasfilmWhat is going on with The Mandalorian?
In a galaxy not so far away, the Force is stirring once again. On May 22, 2026, Disney and Lucasfilm will launch Star Wars back into the cinematic spotlight with The Mandalorian and Grogu, a Mando-Verse adventure that promises to be a pivotal moment for the franchise.
The announcement of Jon Favreau’s film left fans buzzing, particularly with speculation swirling around the status of The Mandalorian Season 4 and Dave Filoni’s own New Republic-era movie.
Earlier revelations from January 2024 marked The Mandalorian and Grogu as Lucasfilm’s frontrunner for live-action Star Wars projects, a choice that diverted from the three films announced by Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration the previous year.
Kennedy herself praised Favreau and Filoni for their contributions to Star Wars lore, stating, “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen” (via StarWars.com).
However, questions loomed large. How would this big-screen adaptation impact The Mandalorian Season 4, and what about Filoni’s ambitious Mando-Verse film? While answers remain scarce, an October 2024 report from The Hollywood Reporter provided some clarity, claiming that the feature film would replace the fourth season of The Mandalorian.
As the outlet noted, “Instead of a fourth season, Disney decided to pivot The Mandalorian to launch its first Star Wars feature film since The Rise of Skywalker.”
This bold move reflects Disney’s broader strategy, but not without challenges. The third season of The Mandalorian struggled to maintain its predecessor’s momentum, with storylines addressing Cara Dune’s (Gina Carano) absence and shifting focus to Bo-Katan Kryze, played by Katee Sackhoff. Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal’s reduced physical involvement as Din Djarin, with Lateef Crowder and John Wayne filling out the suit, and polarizing cameos from Lizzo and Jack Black also entered the Star Wars discourse. Despite these hurdles, hopes for a fourth season lingered until recent developments seemingly grounded that starship.
However, new information has come to light regarding the fourth season of The Mandalorian, which seemingly contradicts the conversations that The Hollywood Reporter‘s claims sparked.
“According to a report from The InSneider, The Mandalorian Season 4 may not be dead at Disney+,” The Direct wrote. “He noted that the follow-up remains “in development” for streaming, but The Mandalorian and Grogu will “arrive first” in theaters.”
This new report adds to the growing confusion about Lucasfilm’s direction for Star Wars. Temuera Morrison’s candid remarks also shed light on Lucasfilm’s evolving priorities. Speaking to The RaeSide on YouTube, Morrison expressed his uncertainty about returning as Boba Fett, lamenting, “I think we’re just put on the shelf for a little bit. Maybe we come off the shelf later.”
The New Zealand actor addressed the shift from The Mandalorian Season 4 to The Mandalorian and Grogu, claiming he will likely not appear in the upcoming movie. With The Book of Boba Fett spinoff also in limbo, Morrison’s frustration mirrors that of fans awaiting clarity on Star Wars’ future, especially when it comes to the New Republic era of movies and TV shows.
As for the film itself, production has wrapped, and Dave Filoni’s enthusiasm is palpable. At the Skeleton Crew premiere, Filoni shared insights into the evolution of Grogu, the iconic Child who has become a breakout star. “It was great seeing Grogu. He’s become such a star, and it’s amazing how it’s evolved, what we can do now with the puppetry compared to Season 1,” Filoni noted.
The announcement of The Mandalorian and Grogu not one year after Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy dropped news of three other Star Wars films—none of which yet have release dates—sparked confusion. The removal of a Star Wars movie hitting theaters in December 2026 only added to the unrest.
Meanwhile, Filoni continues to develop Ahsoka Season 2, which was confirmed alongside The Mandalorian and Grogu. The show’s sophomore season is set to expand on threads from the first season and maintain its ties to Star Wars Rebels. “I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it,” Filoni said, emphasizing his commitment to delivering a story that excites fans.
As the Star Wars universe charts its next chapter, it’s clear that the journey will be anything but predictable. While The Mandalorian and Grogu aims to reignite the magic of the Mando-Verse, the potential absence of a fourth season leaves many wondering what’s next for Din Djarin and Grogu on Disney+.
And with new projects like Skeleton Crew now airing and Simon Kinberg’s trilogy in development, the galaxy far, far away is poised for a fascinating, if uncertain, future.
How do you feel about the future of The Mandalorian? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!