On Tuesday, Disney and Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars movie featuring Din Djarin and Grogu (aka Baby Yoda), titled, The Mandalorian and Grogu. We don’t know much about the plot yet, but Jon Favreau (the director, not the podcaster) will be directing it with the usual suspects – Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Favreau – producing it. Production begins in 2024, so it sounds like this movie will be in place of a fourth season of the show, although Favreau said last year that he’d already written eight episodes for it. There’s also been no casting news just yet, though any of the characters from Mando universe – set in the New Republic era in between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens – could pop up. The Last of Us is supposed to begin production on season 2 in the spring of 2024, so Internet daddy Pedro Pascal is going to have one helluva busy year.
“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” Favreau, who created The Mandalorian with Feloni, said in a statement. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”
“Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen,” Kennedy added.
The Mandalorian, whose real name is Din Djarin and played by Pedro Pascal, was introduced in the Disney+ series, which debuted in November 2019 as the first-ever live-action Star Wars TV series. Grogu, affectionately known as Baby Yoda before his name was revealed in Season 2, became Din’s traveling companion as he journeyed through the Star Wars galaxy. The third season was released on Disney+ in March 2023.
The series is set in the years between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens films. It has brought several characters from the animated shows to live action, including Ahsoka Tano, who earned her own series. Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson in the title role, was released on Disney+ between August and October. Disney is now developing a second season of Ahsoka, the studio added Tuesday..
So, when I first saw this news, my initial reaction was, “Really? Why?” Then it was, “Will people who don’t have Disney+ go out to see it?” But now that I’ve had a day or so to sit on the news, here’s where I’ve landed, and I’d love to hear what others think. I would really like to see a Mando/Grogu adventure that’s only loosely tied to any of the other New Republic plotlines (including The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka). It would be nice if they did a reverse Marvel Cinematic Universe and use the movie as a way to hook people into watching the show rather than requiring people to watch the show in order to understand what is going on in the movie. Give us a Mando/Grogu standalone that still makes sense within the timeline it’s set in. Throw in some Carson Teva and Cobb Vanth, too.
Oh, and while I’m in Star Wars mode, did y’all see the picture that Mark Hamill posted with Natalie Portman at the Golden Globes, with the caption, “Now I have finally met my ‘mother’”? I love it so much and cannot believe that they’d never met before last weekend. Now I really, really need a picture of Hamill with both Portman and Hayden Christensen. Oh, how I wish Carrie Fisher was still alive so we could have a full “family” portrait.
Now I have finally met my "mother", thanks to the @goldenglobes. pic.twitter.com/lkRZQgmLmp
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) January 8, 2024
one thing about Pedro Pascal is that he’ll always look like a proud dad around Grogu pic.twitter.com/02Ulg76XGI
— Ly 💫 (@spoiler4you) May 29, 2022
Photos via Instagram and Twitter and credit: IMAGO/Jennifer Bloc / Avalon
For this movie – Disney can take ALL MY MONEY NOW please!!!! As for the Mark Hamill and Natalie Portman photo that was sooooo cool and yeah am a bit shocked they haven’t met like this before.
As for Disney+ and the franchise I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the web series (not going there with the Abrams movies) and esp pleased that we are getting to see more that the Star Wars universe. I loved Ashoka and Andor especially because of that.
Yes! I am so excited to see this movie!
Mine as well!!
Anything that possibly brings more people into this particular nook of Star Wars is good with me. More Grogu!!
I’ll take all of the Pedro I can get, even when you can’t see him at all! And Grogu of course. 💗🤣💗
I love this and am excited to see it. I believe in Jon Favreau’s storytelling instincts so if he thinks he has a good story for a movie, I’ll get a ticket.
I’m sure it’s pretty easy for Pedro to fit this in his busy schedule since most of the in-person shooting is done by his body/stunt doubles except for the rare helmet-off scene. His voice acting is excellent though. And he does all his own promotion so lots of interview charm, handsomeness and outfits to admire 😁
My Xmas tree this year was Grogu themed (thanks Pinterest) this made my day! I wish Mando would get back to the weekly adventures but I will be anxiously awaiting this!
If they get some great marketing and Pedro helmet off scenes this movie will make a fortune. And if they have helmet off scenes and Cobb Vanth? This movie will make a fortune off just me. 😜
I’m a big Grogu & Din fan, but when I first heard the news, I was upset because I thought they’re going to scrap season 4. However, it doesn’t seem that way, as it isn’t off the table. So now, I’m really psyched for this movie.
I like your film idea, Rosie. I don’t know to what extent that would be possible, but this could also bring in non-Star Wars fans who have at least heard of the characters (and there are many, globally speaking). And yes to Carson Teva and Cobb Vanth, they’re always a delight!
Love the “Luke & Padmé” picture and the tweet about Pedro & Grogu.
Love the title of this movie. They’re keeping it simple and giving us what we want:
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Mandalorian is mostly just voiceover work for Pedro, so that should make the logistics of shooting two things at once a bit easier!
that has to be the greatest job in th world, someone else does the hard work in the suit and you get to do the voice.
“someone else does the hard work in the suit”
At least three someones! (In addition to the times Pedro was/is actually in the suit.) It’s literally a team! Understandable, but absolutely wild.
How can I get to like The Mandalorian? While little Groku is adorable and Pascal oozes charisma even through a helmet, I couldn’t watch past three episodes. I was glued to my seat watching TLOU, which is supposed to be a heavily deppressing show about our world’s most likely end. I think I should appreciate Mandalorian much more.
Think of the first season as a Western. Like, an old timey, episodic adventure on the frontier ala Gunsmoke or Bonanza. Each episode pretty much stands alone, but there is still the larger narrative holding the whole thing together. He travels through the frontier, meeting friends and foes. Some of these encounters will come back later on in the series. As the story progresses, the rest of the seasons are less stand alone. I liked the whole show, but I really enjoyed that first season the most!
On the surface, the show is a Western/samurai/fantasy action extravaganza with stunning visuals and memorable catchphrases. But underneath all that it’s ultimately a paternal/filial love story that give the show its heart. Especially in season 2 there’s a progression of the bond between these two characters that is palpable, funny, and absolutely touching.
Love the actor and the adorable green baby. Would watch it now, if possible.