Credit: LucasfilmWith The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) set to land in theaters this May, the clock is ticking on what was once considered a guaranteed Star Wars event.
Just a few months out from release, Lucasfilm is hoping Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu can make the leap from streaming success to box office juggernaut. But early signs suggest that it may be easier said than done. In other words, the film may not be “the way”.
The Rise and Fall of The Mandalorian
When The Mandalorian debuted on Disney+ in 2019, it became the franchise’s first live-action series and the platform’s flagship series.
The show revitalized interest in the galaxy far, far away following 2019’s disappointing Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, and Grogu — initially dubbed “Baby Yoda” by the fans all over the internet — became a global pop culture sensation. Toys flew off shelves and memes dominated timelines.
For a moment, Star Wars felt untouchable again. But despite the critical success of the first two seasons, Season 3, which was released in 2023, received mixed to negative responses from audiences, with many criticizing its scattered storytelling and the side-lining of Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, who was seemingly replaced by fellow Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff).
A few years have now passed since that run, and the once-dominant series is no longer commanding the same cultural conversation or attention.
Star Wars Has Stumbled Time and Again
Star Wars has also stumbled again since The Mandalorian Season 3, with 2024’s The Acolyte dividing viewers in ways that hadn’t been seen since the sequel trilogy’s The Last Jedi (2017), further driving away longtime fans who once showed up with unquestionable loyalty.
News that Lucasfilm was working on a Mandalorian feature film hardly sparked widespread excitement. And when the first official trailer dropped last year, the reaction was muted.
Despite being the first Star Wars film in theaters since 2019, enthusiasm for The Mandalorian and Grogu feels incredibly low. Most complaints appear to center on the fact that the film looks like a feature-length episode of the Disney+ series, with the characters and overall look lacking the “glow up” big-screen adaptations are more often than not treated with.
Directed by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the adventures of the titular duo. “The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy,” the official synopsis on StarWars.com reads. “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.”
Check out the official trailer below:
Related: ‘Star Wars’ Retcons Grogu Just Three Months Before ‘Mandalorian’ Movie
The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl Ad Is Confusing
Now, the recent Super Bowl spot for the film has highlighted that lack of excitement even further.
Disney and Lucasfilm opted for a 36-second teaser that leaned on mood and nostalgia rather than story. The footage shows Din and Grogu traveling through snowy terrain in a tauntaun-pulled carriage, with a voiceover from veteran actor Sam Elliott.
The result? It feels like a cross between a beer commercial and a Christmas ad than a teaser for a movie. What were they thinking? That seems to be the question many fans’ minds.
Social media reaction ranged from confused to underwhelmed, with some viewers unsure the ad was even promoting a theatrical release. Watch the Super Bowl spot below:
Disney Tried to Explain the Super Bowl Ad
Jackson George, Disney Executive VP of Creative Marketing, via Variety, explained the idea behind the ad afterwards, 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.”
Whatever the real reason behind the ad is, Lucasfilm may need to watch its step in theaters.
The marketing for The Mandalorian and Grogu has been almost non-existent up until now, and with an upcoming major release like Supergirl (2026) flying into theaters just the following month, DC Studios could wind up filling a massive void for Star Wars fans wanting more. Especially where unlikely heroes and cute companions are concerned.
Mando and Grogu Could Be Replaced in 2026
Din Djarin and Grogu weren’t the only duo trying to take the spotlight at the Super Bowl. But the Supergirl teaser with “Baby Krypto” was far better received by fans and viewers.
If momentum continues in that direction, the Woman of Tomorrow — and her superpowered pup (who appears in a flashback sequence) — may end up claiming the commercial and cultural spotlight that once belonged to Mando and Grogu.
Supergirl stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and is directed by Craig Gillespie, known for I, Tonya, with a screenplay by Ana Nogueira adapting Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s acclaimed DC comic run. James Gunn and Peter Safran are producing as part of DC Studios’ new slate.
Krypto first appeared on the big screen in 2025’s Superman (2025), where the super-powered dog made a handful of memorable appearances alongside David Corenswet’s Man of Steel. While the Kryptonian canine has yet to match Grogu’s merchandising dominance, the introduction of a younger, cuter version in this new film could really shift that balance.
From a commercial standpoint, DC’s timing may prove advantageous.
Unlike The Mandalorian and Grogu, which has the added challenge of overcoming franchise fatigue, Supergirl arrives as part of a newly rebooted cinematic universe currently elevated by audience curiosity. While superhero fatigue has also become a common issue with cinemagoers, there’s clearly a fair amount of interest in DC’s next cinematic outing.
The film will also continue building upon the world established in Gunn’s Superman; while the upcoming Star Wars feature, despite being an adaptation of the Disney+ series, has reshuffled its entire cast ensemble and removed several familiar actors.
If The Mandalorian and Grogu struggles to reignite the fire that once surrounded Baby Yoda and the hit series, it’s entirely possible that by year’s end, the cultural conversation could belong to a different cape — and a very different type of alien creature.
It has also been reported that the new Lucasfilm President and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni’s long-gestating “Mando-Verse” crossover movie could be reworked into a Disney+ series if Mando and Grogu’s big-screen outing fails to win over crowds.
The Mandalorian and Grogu releases on May 22. Supergirl arrives on June 26.