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Credit: LucasfilmNext year, the Star Wars franchise takes a step forward with its big return to movie theaters–but just how different will this new take on the beloved Mandalorian series be?
The Mandalorian and Grogu: A New Chapter for Star Wars‘ Most Beloved Duo
In just under six months, one of Star Wars‘ most iconic partnerships will make the leap from streaming to the silver screen. When The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22, 2026, it promises to be a watershed moment for Lucasfilm—not just as a theatrical expansion of a beloved Disney+ series, but as a signal of where the galaxy far, far away is headed.
But as fans eagerly anticipate this cinematic adventure, there’s an intriguing question brewing beneath the surface: what does Din Djarin’s journey look like when it’s not just about his bond with a certain pint-sized green creature?
From Streaming Sensation to the Big Screen
When The Mandalorian debuted in 2019, it didn’t just launch another Star Wars series—it became the Star Wars series. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Din Djarin, paired with the internet’s beloved “Baby Yoda” (officially The Child, then Grogu), struck a chord with audiences in a way few shows manage. The chemistry between the lone bounty hunter and his mysterious companion created a father-son dynamic that became the emotional backbone of the entire franchise renaissance on Disney+.
The show’s success was undeniable. Each season drew in legions of fans, merchandise flew off shelves, and the duo became instantly recognizable across the Star Wars fandom. So when Lucasfilm announced that Din and Grogu would be getting their own theatrical film, it felt like a natural evolution—a validation of everything the Disney+ series had built.
The film is directed by Jon Favreau, who also co-created and executive-produced the original series. He’ll be bringing that same blend of gritty action, heartfelt storytelling, and cinematic scale that made The Mandalorian such a phenomenon. Supporting the effort are producers Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce. Original composer Ludwig Göransson is also returning to score the film, ensuring that the iconic Mandalorian theme will carry over into theaters.
Adding to the marquee appeal, acclaimed actress Sigourney Weaver has joined the cast, signaling that Lucasfilm is treating this as a major theatrical event rather than just an extended television episode.
A Story in Transition
Here’s where things get particularly fascinating. The film takes place between the events of Star Wars: Episode VI–Return of the Jedi (1983) and Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), continuing the timeline established by the Disney+ series. But according to details that have emerged, the narrative structure of the film suggests something noteworthy: Din Djarin’s journey in this story may not be centered solely around Grogu.
Instead, a character from Star Wars‘ animated past is stepping into the spotlight—Rotta the Hutt. Originally introduced as an infant in 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the adult version of Jabba the Hutt’s son is making a return to live-action, this time portrayed by Jeremy Allen White, known for his transformative performance in the acclaimed series The Bear.
White has hinted at the significance of his character’s role. In an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, he revealed that Rotta will be “running around for a lot of the movie together” with Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin. That single statement sent Star Wars fans into overdrive with speculation and theories about what this partnership means for the story’s direction.
Now, new information has surfaced regarding White’s role in the Star Wars movie.
“I’ve been a fan of Jon Favreau’s for a very long time,” telling Variety. “Swingers and Made had a tremendous effect on me as a young man, a young actor. We met at a party. I told him that, and he was like, ‘I have something I want to talk to you about. Can I call you?’ It was the next day, and he was talking about Mandalorian, and I said, ‘It’s a great show. You do a great job. I’d known Pedro Pascal for a little bit, and he’s great and has fun on it, and he loves you.’ He was like, ‘I want you to be in it.’”
“Fantastic, of course. And then he started explaining it and started talking about Rotta. I’d never done voice work. There isn’t any stop-motion work or anything physical like that,” the Shameless star confirmed. “I was excited about doing a job that is in this world of Star Wars, a world that I have admired for a very long time.”
The Central Question
Early glimpses from the film’s trailer have shown Din and Grogu in separate sequences, leading many to conclude that while Grogu hasn’t disappeared from the narrative, his role may have fundamentally shifted. Rather than being Din’s constant companion and the center of his world, Grogu appears poised to embark on his own subplot while Din takes on a primary mission alongside Rotta.
The implications are significant. Lucasfilm seems to be exploring new storytelling possibilities for these characters—expanding the scope beyond a simple continuation of the father-and-son dynamic that has defined the series thus far. A gladiator arena sequence has been teased in promotional material, with Rotta appearing to play a central role in this major action set piece. This positioning signals that Rotta isn’t making a cameo appearance; he’s a significant figure in the plot.
The adult Rotta is described as a “ripped” heir to Jabba’s crime empire—a dramatically different character from the helpless infant fans remember from the animated series. This transformation opens intriguing narrative doors.
If Din Djarin is aligning with a Hutt, even temporarily, it suggests morally gray territory and possibly involvement with the criminal underworld. Some fans have speculated that the story could revolve around a high-stakes heist involving the Hutt syndicate’s vault, with Rotta either leading the charge or playing a double-agent role.
What This Means for Grogu
For many viewers, Grogu isn’t just a sidekick—he is the show. The bond between Din and Grogu represents the emotional core of The Mandalorian, and the thought of that dynamic being deprioritized or fundamentally altered feels like a significant shift.
Some fans are excited about the fresh narrative possibilities that introducing a new dynamic could bring. Others worry that the series might lose the intimate, character-driven storytelling that has set it apart from other Star Wars projects. But whether viewed as controversial or compelling, one thing is certain: Lucasfilm isn’t playing it safe.
The Bigger Picture
It’s worth noting that this theatrical film isn’t the end of Din Djarin’s story on Disney+. A fourth season of The Mandalorian is reportedly still in development after being abandoned for the movie project, suggesting that the movie represents one chapter in a much larger saga.
“We were planning on doing a fourth season,” Favreau said in a recent Empire Magazine interview. “I had actually written all of that. I still have Season 4 sitting on my desk here.” He added, “It’s structured around a movie structure as opposed to a serialized weekly television show. So there’s a larger throw to the whole thing.”
The film is, in many ways, the launching point for a new slate of Star Wars films, and its success could shape the franchise’s theatrical future.
The Road Ahead
As May 22, 2026, draws closer, one thing is clear: The Mandalorian and Grogu represents a turning point. Whether that turning point feels like an exciting new direction or a risky departure from the formula depends largely on how the story unfolds. But for a franchise that built so much of its Disney+ success on the chemistry between one bounty hunter and one beloved creature, introducing a significant new dynamic is undeniably bold.
Grogu may not be gone, but his place at Din’s side may never quite be the same again. And in a galaxy where change is often met with passionate debate, that’s precisely what makes this film so compelling to anticipate.
How do you feel about the direction of The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!