3
Credit: LucasfilmNext year is shaping up to be a milestone for the Star Wars franchise–and a critical test of where Lucasfilm takes its galaxy next.
After a seven-year absence from theaters, Star Wars will finally return to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, a feature-length continuation of the Disney+ phenomenon The Mandalorian. Directed by Jon Favreau, the project serves as both a cinematic expansion of the Mando-Verse and a key piece of Disney’s evolving strategy for the saga.
Announced in January 2024, the film reunites Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin and was unveiled alongside Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka Season 2 as part of the expanding New Republic era. The reveal came shortly after Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed three other Star Wars films were in the works from directors James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Filoni himself.
Despite those upcoming titles being teased at Star Wars Celebration 2023, it’s The Mandalorian and Grogu that will hit theaters first, with Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter following in 2027. Story details remain limited, but the movie will introduce several new characters, including Sigourney Weaver (Alien) as New Republic leader Ward and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Rotta the Hutt.
“The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy,” the synopsis reads on StarWars.com. “As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself).”
Watch the trailer here:
The Mandalorian and Grogu opens May 22, 2026, marking the first theatrical Star Wars release since J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. That film concluded Disney’s sequel trilogy to mixed reactions and left many wondering where the saga would go next.
After dismissing speculation about her potential exit from Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy reaffirmed her commitment to leading the franchise’s next phase. She also confirmed that Shawn Levy’s Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling and Amy Adams, will follow The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Levy, known for 2024’s billion-dollar hit Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, is developing what’s described as a standalone adventure in the Star Wars universe.
The Mandalorian Star Gets Low Screen Time
Sigourney Weaver has confirmed that her appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu will be brief. Speaking on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, the legendary actress revealed she was only on set for a few days, hinting that her role is more of a cameo than a central part of the story.
Weaver described a moment where her character “got a drink from someone with a very different kind of head,” suggesting a single-scene interaction set in one of the film’s alien-filled locales.
Weaver portrays a new character named Ward, a former Rebel Alliance pilot turned New Republic colonel, but despite her presence in early marketing materials, her screen time appears limited to the short bar scene teased so far. With Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu leading the story, Weaver’s character will likely serve as a small but memorable addition to the Star Wars universe when the film premieres on May 22, 2026.
Watch here:
A Smaller Budget With Big Potential
While anticipation builds, a new report from Collider suggests that The Mandalorian and Grogu could find success by keeping their scale in check. According to the outlet, “The Mandalorian and Grogu appears to have an overall production budget of $166.4 million and was the recipient of a bountiful tax credit from the state of California to the tune of $21.75 million, which certainly helped when it came to the bean counting at the end of the day.”
The figures are provided by the California Film Commission.
That $166 million cost is considerably lower than recent Star Wars productions. By comparison, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) was among the least expensive of the Disney era, while Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017) exceeded $300 million and Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019) approached $600 million.
Much of the savings likely comes from Lucasfilm’s StageCraft technology, or “The Volume,” which has streamlined world-building through virtual production since its debut on The Mandalorian.
Positioned for Success
Even with a lower budget, expectations remain high. The series’ blend of heart, grit, and mythology—centered on Din Djarin and Grogu’s bond—has earned widespread goodwill. Now, Lucasfilm is betting that their story can reignite the thrill of seeing Star Wars on the big screen after years of streaming dominance.
Whether audiences turn out in theaters or wait for a Disney+ release remains uncertain, but The Mandalorian and Grogu may strike a balance between manageable costs and blockbuster appeal. If successful, it could signal a new, sustainable path for Star Wars storytelling.
The Missing Heroes
Early plans reportedly included Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze, a fan favorite whose rise from The Clone Wars to The Mandalorian’s third season made her a defining figure of the Mando-Verse. However, new reports indicate neither Sackhoff nor The Armorer star Emily Swallow will appear in the film—fueling speculation that Favreau’s movie could play like an expanded episode rather than an ensemble event.
Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano also isn’t expected to appear, as her Disney+ series left her stranded on the planet Peridea. With Ahsoka Season 2 now in development, her story will likely remain contained within her own series.
More Mandalorian Franchise Cuts
Budget tightening appears to be a larger trend. At Comic-Con Scotland, Dawson confirmed that Ahsoka’s second season will operate with a reduced budget compared to its first, according to The Direct.
Season 1 is believed to have cost over $100 million, meaning the upcoming episodes may rely more on practical effects and character-driven moments rather than large-scale spectacle. Dawson has still teased that the season will “go bigger” narratively despite the smaller budget.
If accurate, Ahsoka’s cost-cutting marks a major shift in Lucasfilm’s approach. Until now, series like The Mandalorian and Andor have either maintained or increased their production spending.
A leaner Season 2 could become a test case for how Star Wars continues to deliver cinematic storytelling while managing expenses. After all, Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte had a massive budget and was ultimately canceled due to financial reasons.
Coming Soon
Looking further ahead, Dave Filoni is developing his own Mando-Verse feature that could serve as an “Avengers-level” crossover, uniting threads from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and beyond. For now, The Mandalorian and Grogu remains the next major step in Lucasfilm’s journey—bridging streaming and theatrical storytelling while capturing the emotion and scale that made The Mandalorian a global hit.
The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theaters May 22, 2026, starring Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, Grogu as himself, Sigourney Weaver as Ward, Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, Jonny Coyne as an Imperial Warlord, Steven Blum as Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios, and Dave Filoni as Trapper Wolf.
How do you feel about the Mando-Verse projects’ low budgets and the reported short screen time for Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!