The Force is returning to theaters next year as Star Wars embarks on a new chapter led by one of its most beloved duos.
For the first time since 2019, Star Wars is heading back to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, (2026) directed by Jon Favreau. The film continues the adventures of Din Djarin and his tiny companion in a story that bridges Disney+ and cinematic storytelling.
Revealed in January 2024, the project reunites Pedro Pascal as the stoic bounty hunter and arrives alongside Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka Season 2. The announcement followed Kathleen Kennedy’s reveal of three other Star Wars films in development from James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Filoni.
Despite those future plans, Favreau’s film will lead the next wave. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026—preceding Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, due in 2027. The movie introduces Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a New Republic leader, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt.
“The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy,” reads the synopsis on StarWars.com. “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 (as himself).”
The new installment arrives after years of debate about the franchise’s direction post-The Rise of Skywalker. Kennedy, reaffirming her position at Lucasfilm, confirmed that Levy’s Starfighter—starring Ryan Gosling and Amy Adams—will follow as a standalone story in the galaxy far, far away.
Sigourney Weaver’s Small Role
Weaver has shed light on her limited part in the film, telling Josh Horowitz on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast that she was “only on set for a few days.” She described a moment where her character “got a drink from someone with a very different kind of head,” suggesting a brief appearance in one of the film’s alien locales.
Weaver plays Ward, a former Rebel pilot turned New Republic colonel. Despite her prominence in early materials, the actor’s screen time seems limited, hinting that her character’s presence may be brief but memorable.
Collider reports The Mandalorian and Grogu carries a production budget of $166.4 million, aided by a $21.75 million California tax credit. Compared to previous Star Wars epics like 2018's Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, which topped $300 million, the new film reflects a more restrained approach. StageCraft technology, first used on The Mandalorian, continues to streamline production and reduce costs.
Even at a smaller scale, the project holds massive potential. The bond between Din Djarin and Grogu has anchored the saga’s most heartfelt storytelling since 2019, and their leap to theaters could restore Star Wars’ big-screen momentum.
Notably absent from the cast are Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze and Emily Swallow’s Armorer, both mainstays of The Mandalorian series. Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka also won’t appear, with her narrative continuing in her own second season.
At Comic-Con Scotland, Dawson confirmed that Season 2 will be produced with a smaller budget than its predecessor, explaining that it will “go bigger” narratively even as it scales down visually. The move reflects a new production strategy after projects like The Acolyte faced cancellation amid cost concerns.
Dave Filoni is also developing a crossover Mando-Verse film tying together The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett. For now, though, Favreau’s movie stands as Lucasfilm’s next major step—one that could set the tone for the future of Star Wars storytelling across both screens.
The Mandalorian and Grogu opens May 22, 2026, starring Pedro Pascal, Grogu, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Jonny Coyne, Steven Blum, and Dave Filoni.
