A still from ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
| Photo Credit: Star Wars
Fans finally have their first look at The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next chapter in the Star Wars saga, and this time it’s heading to theaters. Disney released the debut trailer this week, setting the stage for the franchise’s big-screen return in summer 2026.
The movie spins out of the Disney+ hit The Mandalorian, which introduced audiences to Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his foundling companion Grogu, better known to fans as “Baby Yoda.” Development of the film began after the 2023 Hollywood strikes put the show’s fourth season on hold, prompting Lucasfilm to fast-track a feature instead.
This marks the first Star Wars film since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, which divided critics but earned more than $1 billion worldwide. Joining Pascal are Sigourney Weaver and The Bear star Jeremy Allen White, who plays Rotta the Hutt — Jabba the Hutt’s son.
Jon Favreau, the creative force behind the Disney+ series, is returning to direct. It will be his first feature since 2019’s The Lion King, following past credits such as Iron Man, Elf, and Chef. Favreau has described the film as an exploration of parenting, drawing parallels between Mando’s journey and the experiences of longtime fans who now have children of their own.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters in May 2026, arriving alongside a packed summer lineup that includes Supergirl, Toy Story 5, Scary Movie 6, Minions 3, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The trailer release comes just weeks after Lucasfilm revealed the first still from Star Wars: Starfighter, another big-screen entry starring Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, Mia Goth, and Aaron Pierre, slated for 2027.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy called the strategy a way to keep Star Wars multigenerational. “It can become their Star Wars,” she said of younger audiences discovering the saga through The Mandalorian.
Published – September 23, 2025 11:52 am IST
