After a six-year hiatus from the big screen, Star Wars is finally returning to theaters — and this time, it’s Baby Yoda’s turn to take the spotlight. At Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, fans got a long-awaited update on The Mandalorian & Grogu, the upcoming film set to debut on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, joined by Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, offered an exciting peek into what’s shaping up to be a major event for the galaxy far, far away.
A Cinematic Mission Beyond Disney+
For years, Din Djarin and Grogu have been the beating heart of Star Wars on Disney+, introducing a new generation to bounty hunters, Jedi relics, and blaster shootouts. Now, they’re making the leap to the big screen in a standalone film — but this isn’t just a stretched-out episode. The footage shown in Tokyo hints at a story with far higher stakes and much broader scale.
Sigourney Weaver’s character was briefly teased, sparking immediate speculation about her role in the evolving Star Wars mythos. While her exact character remains a mystery, her presence suggests a new narrative thread rather than more Skywalker-era retreads.
We also got our first look at Jeremy Allen White, best known from The Bear, who is playing Rotta the Hutt — Jabba’s son. It’s a bold inclusion, considering Rotta hasn’t been seen in live-action before. His presence implies we may be diving back into the criminal underworld of the Outer Rim, which has long been one of the franchise’s richest veins.
Familiar Faces and Classic Echoes
The footage wasn’t all new. AT-ATs — the towering Imperial walkers from The Empire Strikes Back — were seen stomping across a snowy landscape, pulling heavy nostalgia for longtime fans. Babu Frik, the tiny tech whiz from The Rise of Skywalker, is also back with his scratchy charm. Zeb, the fan-favorite from Rebels, appears as well, possibly tying the film into Dave Filoni’s broader connected universe.
A New Era for Star Wars Films
The Mandalorian & Grogu marks the first theatrical Star Wars release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, and it carries the weight of reintroducing the franchise to theaters after a rocky run. Following the lukewarm response to Solo, Lucasfilm shifted focus to streaming. But this film represents a more confident step forward — one that blends Disney+ continuity with theatrical spectacle.
Instead of rushing into trilogies or overloading audiences, Lucasfilm seems to be taking its time. With Favreau at the helm, and a cast that balances old favorites with new talent, The Mandalorian & Grogu could reset expectations for what a Star Wars movie can be.
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