Star Wars is preparing for a long-awaited theatrical comeback, but one familiar figure may not be joining the next adventure.
Temuera Morrison, who brought Boba Fett back into the spotlight in recent Disney+ projects, says Lucasfilm has not approached him about returning to the role. His remarks come as the studio moves forward with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), the franchise’s first theatrical release in several years.
At the same time, broader leadership changes and shifting plans for interconnected Star Wars projects have raised questions about where the Mando-era storyline is ultimately headed.
Set for release on May 22, 2026, The Mandalorian and Grogu will mark Star Wars’ return to cinemas for the first time since 2019. The film continues the story introduced in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, with Pedro Pascal reprising his role as Din Djarin alongside Grogu.
The pair’s transition from streaming to the big screen represents a significant moment for Lucasfilm’s modern storytelling approach.
Interest in the film increased earlier this year after a Super Bowl LX commercial offered audiences a first glimpse of the project. The spot quickly generated online debate, and reports soon surfaced that the trailer shown in theaters had been modified.
According to reports, an alternate theatrical version of the trailer removes or replaces several moments featured in earlier promotional footage. Scenes reportedly missing from the revised preview include:
- A flamethrower battle between Din Djarin and snowtroopers
- A pursuit involving stormtroopers racing on speeders
- Shots of BX battle droids advancing across a combat zone
Instead, the preview leans more heavily into large-scale destruction involving machinery and droids, including footage of an AT-AT walker being destroyed.
The adjustment appears aimed at reducing direct violence against human characters while still highlighting the film’s action. Although the change could simply reflect the trailer’s placement before family-oriented films, the move has prompted speculation among fans about how intense the movie’s tone will be.
While those marketing shifts are attracting attention, the larger headline may involve someone who isn’t appearing at all.
During a recent interview promoting his upcoming movie The Bluff (2026), Morrison addressed speculation about Boba Fett’s potential return. The actor explained that he hasn’t been contacted about future appearances and suggested Lucasfilm has temporarily set the character aside.
“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.’”
Morrison extended the comparison while describing his current status within the franchise. “[I’m] shelved, that’s all,” Morrison said. “Like a jar of peaches.” If that remains the case, Boba Fett will not be participating in the next chapter of the connected Star Wars narrative built through shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
The character’s absence would represent a notable shift given his importance to the early years of Star Wars on Disney+. After resurfacing in The Mandalorian Season 2, Boba Fett went on to headline The Book of Boba Fett. The series followed the former bounty hunter as he tried to establish control over Tatooine’s criminal underworld.
Although the show premiered with strong interest, fan response became divided. Some viewers felt the story moved away from Boba Fett himself, particularly when several episodes centered heavily on Din Djarin and Grogu. The series also featured appearances from Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
Despite the mixed reception, Morrison said he thoroughly enjoyed working on the series and believed it might 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.’”
So far, Lucasfilm has not announced a follow-up season.
Morrison’s connection to Star Wars stretches back more than two decades. He first appeared as Jango Fett in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones, playing the bounty hunter whose DNA formed the foundation of the Republic’s clone army.
That storyline meant Morrison’s voice and likeness were used for many clone characters across the franchise. “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.” Although Boba Fett may currently be absent, the possibility of his return remains.
Lucasfilm’s interconnected Disney+ storytelling has frequently revisited characters long after their initial appearances. That means Fett could easily re-enter the story at some point in the future. However, the broader Mando-era roadmap now appears less certain than it once did.
Lucasfilm is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Kathleen Kennedy prepares to step down. Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are stepping into expanded roles within the company. Filoni’s promotion has also raised questions about his previously announced Mando-Verse crossover film. Multiple reports suggest the project could be reworked into a limited series or potentially scrapped.
At the moment, only two projects remain active within the New Republic timeline: The Mandalorian and Grogu and Ahsoka Season 2. With no confirmed fourth season of The Mandalorian and little movement on Filoni’s film, the larger narrative plan for this period of Star Wars storytelling appears to be shifting.
For now, audiences can expect Din Djarin and Grogu to lead the franchise back to theaters in 2026. As for Boba Fett, the legendary bounty hunter seems to be waiting patiently until Lucasfilm decides it’s time to open that jar again.
How do you feel about the exclusion of the classic Boba Fett character in Star Wars? Let us know in the comments down below!
