Credit: LucasfilmWhat began as a steadying force for Star Wars in the early Disney+ era may now be entering a new phase, one that signals a gradual pivot away from the storyline that once defined the franchise’s streaming ambitions.
Lucasfilm’s next theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), brings the saga back to cinemas for the first time since 2019–and for the first time with characters born on Disney+. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film continues the story he launched with The Mandalorian in 2019, following three seasons that reshaped Star Wars television.
Set after the divisive third season, the movie follows Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and his Force-sensitive ward, Din Grogu, as they navigate a galaxy still grappling with the Empire’s collapse. According to official materials and Favreau’s own remarks, the pair will confront lingering Imperial factions scattered across the New Republic era.
The story unfolds roughly five years after Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983), a period Lucasfilm has used to explore the fragile rebuilding process following the Emperor’s defeat. Din’s personal evolution has mirrored that larger transition. Once a lone bounty hunter focused on survival and credits, he has steadily aligned himself with the New Republic’s broader mission–a shift that reframes the stoic figure audiences first met nearly a decade ago.
The film also reshuffles the ensemble. Sigourney Weaver enters the franchise as Admiral Ward, while Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba. Early reports suggest Rotta may play a meaningful role in the plot, possibly traveling alongside Din for a stretch of the adventure. Weaver’s screen time is said to be limited, though her character appears pivotal.
Yet as new figures arrive, several familiar faces appear to be absent.
Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon, whose arc culminated in Season 3, seems unlikely to return following his apparent death. Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), having reclaimed Mandalore, reached a natural conclusion to her storyline. The Armorer (Emily Swallow), central to the show’s mythic undertones, may not factor into a narrative more tightly focused on Din himself.
Boba Fett and Fennec Shand also appear sidelined. Temuera Morrison has publicly questioned his character’s future, and without him, Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec has little narrative footing. Their story largely played out in The Book of Boba Fett, and the upcoming film does not appear positioned to revisit it.
Then there is Cara Dune. Gina Carano was fired from Lucasfilm in 2021 after controversial social media posts. In 2024, she filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm, backed financially by Elon Musk, alleging discrimination and retaliation. The dispute was settled last year, with Lucasfilm stating it was looking forward to “identifying opportunities to work together.”
Even so, Cara Dune’s return in The Mandalorian and Grogu appears highly unlikely. Collectively, the omissions suggest a streamlined approach. Rather than functioning as a reunion tour for the Disney+ era, the film appears designed as a forward-looking chapter for Din and Grogu, even if that means closing the door on certain arcs.
Co-writer Dave Filoni appears again as New Republic pilot Trapper Wolf. The film also includes Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios from Star Wars Rebels and members of the Anzellan species introduced in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
But none of these characters were present during the recent teaser release of The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Disney and Lucasfilm’s Super Bowl LX spot for The Mandalorian and Grogu sparked noticeable backlash from fans, even as the studio defended its unconventional strategy. The film marks the first Star Wars theatrical release in nearly seven years, which raised expectations that the Super Bowl would deliver a major, story-driven trailer.
Instead, viewers were shown a brief 36-second teaser that focused more on tone and nostalgia than plot or spectacle. The commercial featured Din Djarin and Grogu traveling through a snowy landscape in a carriage pulled by tauntauns, evoking the feel of a classic Budweiser Clydesdales ad. Notably absent were any concrete story details, major action beats, or new revelations about the film’s narrative direction.
According to Disney executives, that omission was entirely intentional. Jackson George, Disney Executive VP of Creative Marketing, explained, via Variety, the philosophy behind the ad, saying, “Grogu is more than a character; he’s a pop culture phenomenon. Riding alongside the heroic Mandalorian, he brings lightness, humor, joy, and an instant emotional connection that transcends the moment.” The goal, George suggested, was not to break news about the plot but to remind audiences why they fell in love with these characters in the first place
Despite that creative reasoning, many fans reacted with confusion and disappointment. Social media quickly filled with comments from viewers who had expected a traditional trailer packed with footage and narrative teases.
Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) said:
I get the Super Bowl ad parody they’re doing, but that Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl spot was not what this movie needs at this point to help make it look more exciting.
I get the Super Bowl ad parody they’re doing, but that Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl spot was not what this movie needs at this point to help make it look more exciting.
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) February 9, 2026
YungJunko (@YungJunko) echoed the above sentiments:
Mando and Grogu marketing is so bizarre. There’s not even an attempt to sell the movie beyond: come see an episode of Mandalorian (and Grogu) on the big screen! Also Sigourney Weaver will be there 🙂
Im willing to bet lot of viewers had no idea the Super Bowl ad was for a movie
Mando and Grogu marketing is so bizarre. Theres not even an attempt to sell the movie beyond: come see an episode of Mandalorian (and Grogu) on the big screen! Also Sigourney Weaver will be there 🙂
Im willing to bet lot of viewers had no idea the Super Bowl ad was for a movie
— YungJunko (@YungJunko) February 9, 2026
Likewise, Oliver Jia (@OliverJia1014) said:
Utterly insane how there’s a Star Wars movie out in 3 months and most people aren’t even aware it’s a thing.
Where the hell is the marketing? That Super Bowl ad was atrocious. Mandalorian was one of the few things people liked about Disney Star Wars too. What are they doing!?
Utterly insane how there’s a Star Wars movie out in 3 months and most people aren’t even aware it’s a thing.
Where the hell is the marketing? That Super Bowl ad was atrocious. Mandalorian was one of the few things people liked about Disney Star Wars too. What are they doing!? https://t.co/xgF1DMyRZF
— Oliver Jia (オリバー・ジア) (@OliverJia1014) February 10, 2026
Most of the criticism centers on timing and expectations. With the film slated for a May 22, 2026, theatrical release, many fans assumed the Super Bowl would serve as the launchpad for a full marketing push. Instead, the teaser leaned heavily on Grogu’s enduring popularity and the emotional familiarity of the characters rather than showcasing the scale or stakes of the upcoming film. Given that this is the first Star Wars movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, some argue that Lucasfilm needed to reassure audiences about the franchise’s cinematic future with something more substantial.
Not long ago, the interconnected Mandalorian-era projects seemed positioned to anchor Star Wars for years. With Ahsoka Season 2 in development and Dave Filoni’s previously announced crossover film, the so-called Mando-Verse was poised for expansion.
That outlook may be shifting. “According to insider Daniel Richtman, Lucasfilm is considering potentially moving away from the MandoVerse for future Star Wars projects,” The Direct explains.
“The known scooper shared the news in a new post on Patreon, writing that, as it stands, nothing within that particular section of the Star Wars timeline is planned beyond the upcoming Ahsoka Season 2, and Lucasfilm is waiting to see how the Rosario Dawson-led streaming series performs before committing to anything else,” the outlet added.
The report arrives amid broader changes at Lucasfilm. Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as president, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepping in.
Filoni’s promotion raises questions about his previously announced Mandalorian-era feature, revealed at Star Wars Celebration 2023. With expanded creative oversight across the franchise, directing a large-scale crossover film may be less feasible. Subsequent reports have suggested that the concept could evolve into a limited series instead.
For now, Disney has confirmed only two theatrical projects: The Mandalorian and Grogu and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), a standalone feature set beyond the sequel trilogy and starring Ryan Gosling. With leadership shifts and a leaner development slate, Star Wars appears to be reassessing its trajectory once again. Whether the Mandalorian era represents a transition point or a final chapter remains to be seen.
How do you feel about the Mandalorian‘s upcoming theatrical debut? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!