Credit: LucasfilmWith Dave Filoni’s rise to co-CEO of Lucasfilm, the future of the Mando-Verse for the Star Wars franchise remains utterly uncertain.
As Lucasfilm prepares to bring Star Wars back to theaters for the first time in years, the future of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters is suddenly looking unclear. While excitement is building for the upcoming film The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), new comments from longtime bounty hunter actor Temuera Morrison suggest that Boba Fett will not be part of the story, or possibly any immediate plans in the galaxy far, far away.
The update arrives at an interesting moment for the franchise. Marketing for the upcoming movie has already generated discussion among fans after a divisive Super Bowl LX TV spot aired in February. Following that, changes were reportedly made to its trailer to tone down violent moments for theatrical family audiences.
Disney Tweaks The Mandalorian and Grogu Trailer
Lucasfilm’s big-screen return with The Mandalorian and Grogu marks a major milestone for Star Wars. The film is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026, becoming the first theatrical entry in the franchise since 2019. Pedro Pascal will return as Din Djarin with his ward, Din Grogu (AKA The Child and “Baby Yoda”), in a big shift from the pair’s humble small-screen beginnings.
However, reports indicate the studio has already made some notable adjustments to its marketing. During theatrical screenings, an alternate version of the movie’s trailer was shown with several action-heavy shots replaced or removed. The revised preview reportedly removes or swaps out moments, including:
- A flamethrower sequence involving Din Djarin and snowtroopers
- A speeder-mounted stormtrooper chase scene
- Footage of BX battle droids running through a battlefield
Instead, the theatrical trailer focuses more on large-scale destruction involving droids and vehicles, such as an AT-AT being destroyed. The shift appears to reduce direct violence against human characters while still showcasing the film’s action.
While the change may simply reflect the trailer being shown ahead of a family-friendly film, it has sparked conversation among fans about whether Disney is attempting to soften the tone of the next chapter in the Mando-era storyline. But while trailer tweaks are grabbing attention, a much bigger discussion has emerged around a character who helped launch this era of Star Wars storytelling.
Temuera Morrison Says Boba Fett Is “On the Shelf”
For fans hoping that Boba Fett might appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, Morrison’s latest comments could be disappointing. In a new interview promoting his upcoming film The Bluff (2026), the actor revealed that he has not been contacted about returning to the franchise and that Lucasfilm has effectively placed the character on hold for now.
“I was only joking. I’m at a convention, and I say stupid things,” Morrison said while discussing a previous moment when he encouraged fans to campaign for Boba Fett’s return (via Inverse). “Then I’ve got [Lucasfilm] ringing me: ‘Look, you’ve been put on the shelf, Boba Fett. We might open up the jar later.’”
The actor even joked about the situation by comparing the character to a preserved jar waiting to be reopened. “[I’m] shelved, that’s all,” Morrison said. “Like a jar of peaches.” For now, that means Boba Fett appears to be absent from the expanding storyline that connects shows like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and the upcoming film.
The Book of Boba Fett Legacy
The news is especially surprising considering how prominently Boba Fett figured into the early years of Disney+’s Star Wars universe.
After the character’s dramatic return in The Mandalorian Season 2, Morrison headlined the spinoff series The Book of Boba Fett. The show followed the bounty hunter as he attempted to establish himself as the new ruler of Tatooine’s criminal underworld.
While the series had a strong launch, it received mixed reactions from fans. Many viewers felt the story drifted away from Boba Fett himself, particularly when multiple episodes pivoted to focus heavily on Din Djarin and the return of Grogu (and even Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker). Despite those criticisms, Morrison said he loved working on the project and originally believed the show could continue for several seasons.
“It was a big deal for me,” he said. “When you do a series like Boba Fett and work with Ming-Na [Wen], I started to think, ‘Man, this is it. I’m away. Season 2, 3, 4.’” Instead, no follow-up season has been announced, and Morrison says he’s still waiting to hear about the character’s future.
A Long History With the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Even if Boba Fett’s story is paused, Morrison’s legacy within Star Wars remains enormous. The actor first joined the franchise as Jango Fett in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones, portraying the bounty hunter whose genetic template was used to create the Republic’s clone army.
Because of that storyline, Morrison’s likeness and voice have appeared throughout the franchise across numerous characters, from clone troopers to commanders. “I’m Jango. I’m Boba. I’m Commander Cody. I’m all the clones,” he said. “The list goes on, so I really can’t complain.” Even so, the actor clearly hopes the door isn’t permanently closed.
Could Boba Fett Return Later?
Despite the current pause, Morrison’s comments also leave room for the character’s eventual return.
Lucasfilm’s interconnected Mando-Verse storytelling–linking The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew—has already demonstrated a willingness to revisit characters years later. With The Mandalorian and Grogu poised to tie together storylines from those shows, the possibility remains that Boba Fett could reappear down the road.
For now, however, the legendary bounty hunter appears to be sitting out the next chapter. As Star Wars gears up for its theatrical comeback, fans will once again follow Din Djarin and Grogu into a new adventure. But one of the franchise’s most recognizable helmets may be staying on the shelf at least for the time being.
The Boba Fett confirmation comes as Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy prepares to step down, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan moving up the ranks. Filoni’s ascension has cast a question mark over his own Mando-Verse movie, with multiple reports now suggesting the project will be reworked as a limited series or cancelled altogether.
At this point, only The Mandalorian and Grogu movie and Disney+’s Ahsoka Season 2 remain active in the New Republic (Mando-Verse) timeline. With no confirmed fourth season of The Mandalorian and no movement on Filoni’s movie, the previously announced plans for this part of the timeline appear to have collapsed.
How do you feel about no more Boba Fett in the Star Wars universe at this time? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!