Wed. May 20, 2026
By Jerry Nunn
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the latest chapter in the Star Wars franchise. The film takes place after season three of the television series, which streams on Disney+ and both projects star Pedro Pascal in the title role of The Mandalorian, also known as Din Djarin.
Mando is a space cowboy and a bounty hunter who was hired to capture Grogu, an infant of the same species as Yoda.
This invoked familiarity for audiences who had seen previous characters like Boba Fett and Yoda in Star Wars, but allowed freedom in their adventures together.
Creator Jon Favreau had a longtime love for George Lucas' legacy and used nostalgia at every chance he could to appeal to viewers. His stunts, paired with nostalgia, worked and stimulated mega merchandise sales with Grogu as the star.
With the new big-screen treatment, expect retail shops to once again cash in on Grogu and rake in even more green.
The storyline for the film takes place five years after Return of the Jedi and after season three of The Mandalorian television series as a New Republic story. Remarkably, moviegoers don't have to do any homework to understand what's happening onscreen and it's a standalone story.
The duo's cinematic adventure begins with a rescue mission for Rotta the Hutt, the descendant of Jabba. Hired by the space slug Hutt Twins to accomplish this goal, Mando and Grogu engage in massive battles and creature encounters like never before.
Guest voices include an adept Martin Scorsese as an Ardennian Fry Cook and youthful-sounding Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt with a casual style.
Pascal is a pro at vocalizing Djarin and since he's required to hide behind a helmet publicly, stunt double work is a breeze.
Filmed for IMAX, the special effects are impressive while covering land, air and water along the way.
Grogu knows how to steal a scene without saying a word and his antics distract from the serious tone of science fiction. The cutesiness veers into Muppet Babies territory and by the end, some Dark Crystal puppetry is thrown in. It may be time to have Grogu grow up from his Baby Groot roots.
This film is an extension of the television show and not at the level of the legendary Star Wars. Fans of the show will enjoy it, but those hoping for a lightsaber saga will be sorely disappointed. Season four on TV and sequels at the cinema are most likely in the works, but may the Force be with the writers for a catchier title next time out.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu blasts into theaters on May 22, 2026.
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