Jon Favreau teases ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ details at Star Wars toy event
Credit: Lucasfilm
Hot off the heels of the Super Bowl TV spot, Lucasfilm is kicking marketing into high gear for its upcoming Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu film set to hit theaters and IMAX on May 22, 2026.
The film’s director, Jon Favreau, who has become increasingly vocal about his upcoming film, spoke at a recent Star Wars “Most Wanted” global campaign toy and merchandise event in NYC, via Screen Rant, about the importance of “upping the ante” by upgrading visual effects and set design, along with providing the highest quality storytelling, to ensure that the moviegoing experience is the biggest and best possible.
We gotta up our game now for the movie theater, and that means taller aspect ratios for IMAX, building sets that take full advantage of. That making the visual effects of, of, of the quality and caliber that, you know, that we have to notch everything up and then the storytelling as well.
Bobby Kim and Jon Favreau talk Star Wars spring toy line at Toy Fair event. Credit: Kristy Puchko
In the interview, Favreau also went on to emphasize that the shift from home to theaters has to be an “adventure” worth justifying leaving your home, specifically by offering that immersive, large-scale experience that can keep fans engaged from beginning to end.
“That adventure has to fill up the screen and has to be something — at this moment in time, when so much is competing for attention — that you’re going to stop what you’re doing, and you’re going to go to a movie theater, and you’re going to sit down in that movie theater, and you’re not going to be able to pause it, and you’re not going to be able to eat the food out of your refrigerator,” Favreau said. “You have to have such a good experience that you say, ‘This is worth my time. Let’s go again. I want to bring you. You should go see it,’” Favreau said.
Credit: Lucasfilm
Home theaters now provide unmatched convenience, comfort, and long-term cost savings. With personalized, high-quality audio/video setups, that allow pausing, avoiding crowds, and enable versatile, daily use at their fingertips.
In order for Studios to combat this, and compete they must go “next level,” and provide exclusive, high-value experiences that cannot be replicated on a living room couch.
The film is not being made as a “long TV episode” but is specifically designed for the big screen, featuring enhanced visual effects, complex storytelling, and a focus on cinematic, immersive, and action-oriented scenes.
Credit: Lucasfilm
While that “next level” theatrical experience is a must, Favreau says that for this particular big-screen movie he’s focusing on the core special bond the duo shared in the series to further engage the audience.
“There’s some stuff that people may have gotten clues about. He’s in a Razor Crest now, which is the ship that he originally had. He’s in the same model of ship. Grogu has leveled up a bit. We saw that he trained with Luke, and time has passed. So he’s got a little of the Jedi influence. And then he’s also an apprentice Mandalorian. So now it’s time for dad to bring him on adventures. And pretty soon, there will be a few more clues out there in the world.” He said via Polygon
Credit: Disney and Lucasfilm
The Iron Man 2 director also spoke a little about his deep connection between Star Wars films and toys, noting that the old school vintage designs from the past have had an influence on the film. Favreau explained that, similar to his childhood experience, the toys and movies share a continuity that continues to this day.
“That’s how I learned how to tell stories. You take these characters. You’re talking with your friends, and you’re acting things out [with the toys]. My job is not that different from that.”
Although, Favreau hasn’t officially announced anything yet, it appears that he may also be stepping away from Star Wars after The Mandalorian and Grogu’s release.
“I’ve been working on Star Wars now for seven years, and to be able to step up to doing it as a film feels like a culmination of what I’m working on,” the filmmaker said.
A lot has been made of the new Star Wars film coming out in May, and fans are excited to see the franchise back on the big screen for the first time since 2019. With Favreau directing, alongside Kathleen Kennedy producing and Dave Filoni taking over as President, you can be rest assured that Lucasfilm is putting the best movie product possible in theaters.
Oscar-winning composer
Ludwig Göransson is also returning to score the film following his acclaimed work on the first two seasons of the Disney+ series and The Book of Boba Fett.
May the force be with you….
Credit: Lucasfilm
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