Directed by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian and Grogu sees Pedro Pascal stepping back into the boots of galactic bounty hunter, Din Djarin.
Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are back in The Mandalorian and Grogu film, as they embark on a new mission together to track down and neutralize the remaining Imperial warlords scattered throughout the galaxy.
Critical reception for the film has been mixed to negative since its teaser trailer release, with many critics and fans concerned with a lack of visual upgrades and a reliance on the assumption that moviegoers already know the story of Mando and Grogu. However, some supporters remain optimistic and believe the film will still be a fun adventure.
The films’ creators, executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, have frequently shared their own set and production photos on social media, but there hasn’t been much from them or official releases lately.
Today was different, though, when a newly revealed image from StarWars.com, alerted to
by Mandoverse Updates on X, showed a behind-the-scenes shot of a practical set with Mando and a Bantha. In
The Mandalorian Season 2, Episode 1, titled “Chapter 9: The Marshal,” Disney+ episode’ banthas played a critical role as both common transport for Tusken Raiders and as bait in the battle against the krayt dragon. Banthas in the series have been a combination of both practical and CGI effects, often seamlessly blended together. Practical effects were used for close-ups, such as a ten-foot-high puppeteered bantha created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), most likely the one used in today’s photo drop from StarWars.com.
The film wrapped principal photography and is on track for a May 22nd, 2026 release, as reported by ScreenRant.com, so we’re not sure if this is from the original or a pickup shoot. The photo is beautiful nevertheless.
Filming for The Mandalorian & Grogu took place entirely in California from August to December 2024, with shoots in and around the Los Angeles area. The movie is the first full-length feature Star Wars film to be shot entirely in the state of California and marks the transition of the series’ characters to the big screen.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal). Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
Favreau recently teased during an interview with Empire magazine that Mando is now working on behalf of the post-Imperial government and also trying to juggle being a foster parent to a juvenile.
“One of the last things we say [in season three] is, like, ‘I don’t want to go out there and just be a hired gun. I want to work for the good guys.’ Now we get to really have fun with him. He’s such a compelling character, even if you’ve never seen Rebels, between the voice, the swagger, and the physical ability.” He continued, “Star Wars is always about progression and growth and characters evolving, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad.” Favreau continued, “It’s about apprenticeship; it’s about one generation teaching the next. There’s more growth that happens over the course of the film.”
Grogu and friends in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
Grogu getting into mischief. Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
The Mandalorian and Grogu also features the talents of sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver (Alien franchise) as Colonel Ward; Johnny Coyne (The Toxic Avenger) as Imperial Warlord; and, perhaps most notably of all, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta.
Now a Possible Spoiler – Read at your own risk.
Also discovered by Mandoverse Updates, a German Blu-Ray website offers a previously unseen plot description for The Mandalorian and Grogu in a listing for a pre-order of the 4K Limited Steelbook Edition release of the movie. Check out the plot description below….
“The Empire has been defeated and the remnants of its force scattered to the far corners of the galaxy. Yet some of the former commanders of this dark era cling to their power and have become dangerous warlords. Din Djarin together with his apprentice Grogu track down and neutralize these cells. Several clues lead them to Khar’Zuun where they not only manage to infiltrate an almost forgotten imperial facility but Grogu also discovers an ancient artifact that functions as an amplifier of his abilities.”
Now we’re not quite sure what to make of this description or even if it’s real, but you can form your own opinion on it. I lean towards it being true; but you just never know.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives exclusively in theaters May 22, 2026.
May the Force be with you….
Courtesy of Lucasfilm
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