‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Trailer Ushers in New Star Wars Cinema Era
Back to the Big Screen: ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Trailer Ushers in New Star Wars Cinema Era
LOS ANGELES — The long-awaited return of Star Wars to the silver screen is officially in hyperdrive. Lucasfilm and Disney sent shockwaves through the fandom this morning by debuting the full official trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu, confirming that the galaxy's favorite duo will lead the franchise back into theaters on 22nd May 2026 (trailer below).
The two-minute look, which follows a brief Super Bowl teaser from earlier this month, marks the first time since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker that a Star Wars project has been positioned for a premier theatrical release.
The Mission: A New Republic Enforcer
Directed by Jon Favreau, the trailer clarifies where Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice Grogu find themselves following the events of The Mandalorian Season 3. No longer just a lone bounty hunter, Mando is seen enlisting with the fledgling New Republic to hunt down the "scattered embers" of the Empire.
The footage introduces Sigourney Weaver in her franchise debut as Colonel Ward, a high-ranking New Republic officer who enlists Mando’s help to secure the Outer Rim. "The Empire is a dying animal," Weaver’s character warns in a voiceover, "but it still has teeth."
Snow, Stars, and a "Yolked" Hutt
While the series was known for its "Space Western" feel, the film’s trailer promises a massive cinematic scale:
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The Return of the Razor Crest: Fans were stunned to see Mando back in a ship nearly identical to his original Razor Crest (which was famously destroyed in Season 2). Whether it’s a salvaged model or a New Republic gift, the "derelict freighter" aesthetic is back.
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Snow-Capped Warfare: One of the trailer's most breathtaking sequences features Mando single-handedly dismantling an AT-AT Walker on a snow-covered mountain peak.
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Rotta the Hutt: In a bizarre and viral moment, the trailer introduces a "physically robust" adult version of Rotta the Hutt (son of Jabba), voiced by The Bear star Jeremy Allen White. The character appears to be a major antagonist running a gladiator pit on the moon of Nar Shaddaa.
Rebels and Anzellans
The trailer also confirms the return of Zeb Orrelios (voiced by Steve Blum), the fan-favorite Lasat from Star Wars Rebels, who is seen briefly in a brutal corridor fight against Imperial Stormtroopers. Additionally, Grogu is seen taking the lead in a comedic "stealth mission" alongside a group of Anzellans—the tiny, tech-savvy species famously represented by Babu Frik.
The "Favreau-Verse" Expansion
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, the film is being treated as a bridge between the Disney+ streaming era and the future of Star Wars cinema. Notably, the trailer prominently features music by Ludwig Göransson, who has expanded his iconic TV theme into a sweeping orchestral score for the big screen.
The film's release date—Memorial Day Weekend 2026, places it in direct competition with the summer's biggest blockbusters, signaling Disney’s confidence that the "Baby Yoda" phenomenon still has massive theatrical pull.
