It’s official, Star Wars is back on the big screen. Disney has dropped the first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, the upcoming film directed by Jon Favreau and co-written with long time collaborator Dave Filoni.
This marks the first new Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, a seven year drought for a franchise once known for shaping blockbuster cinema. In an era of streaming saturation, the question is whether the galaxy far, far away can still command theatres the way it used to.
What’s the story?
Set after the fall of the Empire, the film follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his pint-sized apprentice Grogu as the New Republic enlists them to help secure the fragile peace. The trailer teases the return of Imperial warlords, tense space dogfights, and the father/son bond that made the Disney+ series a global hit.
The film also adds some heavy hitters to the cast:
- Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward, leader of the Adelphi Rangers.
- Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s son.
- Jonny Coyne as an Imperial warlord.
- And yes, Dave Filoni himself returns as X-wing pilot Trapper Wolf.
The Mandalorian and Grogu | Official Trailer
When does it land?
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits cinemas May 21, 2026 — lining up perfectly with the Memorial Day blockbuster slot.
Why it matters
While Disney+ gave fans plenty of Star Wars content, this is the franchise’s first theatrical test in nearly a decade. Whether the leap from small screen to IMAX pays off remains to be seen. For now, the trailer promises all the blaster fire, lightspeed jumps, and Grogu cuteness the galaxy demands. It also hints at Star Wars trying to reclaim cultural dominance in theatres after years of streaming first experiments, a gamble that will define the saga’s future.
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