The Mandalorian and Grogu: Baby Yoda goes to the movies (trailer).
Strap in, Star Wars fans, because the mouse has finally decided that Baby Yoda — sorry, Grogu — is big enough to make the jump from your telly to the silver screen. Yes, The Mandalorian and Grogu is coming in May 2026, directed by Jon Favreau with his partner-in-blaster-fire Dave Filoni, and judging by the shiny new trailer, it promises more pew-pew, more Empire leftovers, and more small green cooing than a nursery full of frogs.
The premise is simple enough: the New Republic, being as efficient as the British rail system on strike day, needs Mando and his little green apprentice to track down the last Imperial warlords. Enter Sigourney Weaver as a veteran rebel pilot (yes, Ripley herself has landed in a galaxy far, far away) and Jeremy Allen White voicing Jabba the Hutt’s offspring, Rotta. Which means we’re about to find out whether the Hutts really do breed like space slugs.
The trailer itself? Well, it’s a cocktail of nostalgic vibes, new ships, old faces, and Grogu doing that wide-eyed thing that still manages to melt wallets faster than Han shot Greedo. Favreau and Filoni clearly want us to feel like this is “our” Star Wars. But let’s be honest: the fans haven’t exactly been shy in voicing their disappointment with the last few Disney-era outings. The Book of Boba Fett was essentially The Mandalorian season 2.5 with sand; Obi-Wan Kenobi gave us wall-of-duty security doors; and The Rise of Skywalker… well, let’s not dig up that Sarlacc pit again.
So, is The Mandalorian and Grogu a proper course correction or just another shiny bauble on Disney’s lightsabre-shaped keychain? On the plus side, Ludwig Göransson is back with his thumping soundtrack, Zeb from Rebels is making the leap to live action, and Weaver’s casting hints at actual gravitas amongst the pew-pew. On the other hand, you can’t shake the suspicion that this is less about storytelling and more about ensuring Grogu plushies continue to fly off the shelves faster than Millennium Falcons at Christmas.
Still, here at SFcrowsnest, we’ll admit we’re cautiously intrigued. Pascal’s gravelly tones, Weaver’s gravitas, Rotta’s slime, and the promise of seeing Mando’s new Razor Crest on the big screen? It’s got the right ingredients. Whether Disney finally cooks up a proper banquet or just reheats yesterday’s bantha stew remains to be seen.
At least one thing’s certain: May 2026 will prove if Grogu is the future of Star Wars cinema… or if he’s destined to be remembered as the galaxy’s most expensive merchandising mascot.