When Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters in 2026, it will mark a significant milestone—not only seven years since the stoic bounty hunter Din Djarin and the beloved Grogu first graced Disney+ screens but also 16 years since a familiar yet unexpected character made their last appearance in the Star Wars saga.
Reports suggest that this character’s return will occur in a bold, new cinematic venture slated to replace The Mandalorian Season 4.
Since its groundbreaking debut on November 12, 2019, The Mandalorian has redefined the Star Wars universe, presenting a fresh take on the beloved galaxy far, far away. Helmed by the ever-visionary Jon Favreau, the Disney+ original series transported fans to a time shortly after the Empire’s fall in Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983). Set during the nascent New Republic era, the show interweaves Star Wars lore with the rugged appeal of a space Western.
At the series’ core is Din Djarin, the titular Mandalorian portrayed by the charismatic Pedro Pascal. Tasked with safeguarding the mysterious Grogu—known affectionately as “The Child”—Djarin’s journey evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Fans were captivated as the pair navigated encounters with Imperial remnants, led by the menacing Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) while crossing paths with icons like Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), and the infamous Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison).
Fueled by cinematic storytelling and heartfelt nods to Star Wars history, The Mandalorian became a beacon for future spin-offs, spawning hits like The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. However, few expected Lucasfilm to pivot so dramatically in its plans for the show. While Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced three new projects during Star Wars Celebration 2023, it was revealed in early 2024 that the journey back to the big screen would be with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
This surprise announcement confirmed that Dave Filoni would also helm a second season of Ahsoka for Disney+, but for fans of The Mandalorian, the apparent shift from television to film was a bittersweet revelation. As The Hollywood Reporter noted:
“Instead of a fourth season, Disney decided to pivot The Mandalorian to launch its first Star Wars feature film since The Rise of Skywalker… The Mandalorian & Grogu will probably perform well. Yet it also looks like Disney spent many years and untold capital struggling to develop a new Star Wars movie, and its best idea was an extra-long episode of a TV show.”
Scheduled for a May 22, 2026 release, The Mandalorian and Grogu will end a nearly seven-year hiatus for Star Wars on the big screen. Still, fans are already speculating about what this cinematic chapter will entail. Confirmed cast members include Pedro Pascal, who now exclusively voices Din Djarin, with Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder performing in the suit. Of course, Grogu will return, brought to life through ever-evolving puppetry.
In an intriguing twist, legendary actress Sigourney Weaver is set to join the cast in an undisclosed role. Meanwhile, a report from entertainment insider Jeff Sneider claims that Emmy-winning actor Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) will portray Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt. Rotta’s last appearance onscreen was in the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie (2008) and the 2010 episode “Sphere of Influence.”
Sneider dropped this bombshell while speaking to Kristian Harloff on YouTube. However, neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has officially confirmed White’s casting. Fans’ reactions have been mixed, with some calling the choice a “bold move” and others questioning whether White will voice a CGI character or don prosthetics.
This revelation has led to speculation about the Hutts’ significance in the upcoming film. Could Rotta and the criminal empire he represents become a central piece of the story?
The shift to film comes at a pivotal time for The Mandalorian. Season 3 saw the series focus less on Din Djarin and more on Bo-Katan Kryze (Sackhoff), whose journey to reclaim Mandalore became the primary storyline. Meanwhile, the season finale wrapped up Moff Gideon’s (Esposito) cloning plot—a development that may still tie into Disney’s efforts to contextualize Emperor Palpatine’s resurrection in Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Speaking about the film’s production, Dave Filoni expressed his excitement (via Comic Book Movie): “Jon and I had a great time working on that, as we always do. It was great seeing Grogu. He’s become such a star… it’s amazing how it’s evolved, what we can do now with the puppetry compared to Season 1, and where we are today in a film.”
With The Mandalorian and Grogu promising to deliver a cinematic experience that expands the series’ mythology, fans are left eagerly awaiting the answers to pressing questions: How will the Hutts influence the story? Will the cloning subplot resurface? And what role will Grogu play as the franchise’s undeniable star?
As the countdown to 2026 begins, one thing is certain: Favreau and Filoni are crafting an adventure that will further cement The Mandalorian’s legacy in the galaxy far, far away.
How do you feel about Jeremy Allen White’s rumored casting as Rotta the Hutt?
