The Mandalorian & Grogu: A New Theatrical Chapter for Star Wars
The first theatrical Star Wars release since The Rise of Skywalker (2019) arrives with divided reviews and the franchise's lowest-ever box office opening.
The film The Mandalorian & Grogu, a theatrical continuation of the Disney+ series, premiered on May 22. Directed and co-written by Jon Favreau, the film marks the first theatrical Star Wars release since The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Early critical reception has been divided, and the film opened to the lowest worldwide box office figures in the franchise’s history.
Overview
The Mandalorian & Grogu follows the bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and the child Grogu on a new mission set approximately five years after the original trilogy. After the fall of the Galactic Empire, the pair are enlisted by the New Republic to locate Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White) to gain the trust of the Hutt clan and secure information on a key target.
The film is based on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which aired from 2019 to 2023. Jon Favreau directed the film and co-wrote the script with Noah Kloor and Dave Filoni. The cast includes Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward, a former X-Wing pilot leading the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers, and Jeremy Allen White as the voice of Rotta the Hutt.
Critical Reception
Critic responses to the film have been mixed.
Positive Reactions
- Erik Davis (Fandango) called it “a fun, freaky romp across the galaxy,” praising Ludwig Göransson’s score.
- Scott Mendelson (Puck News) described it as “a solid line drive past second base” with new elements.
- Courtney Howard (Variety) called it “action-packed with a lot of humor & heart.”
- Simon Thompson said it is “a grin-inducing crowd-pleaser that puts Star Wars back on theatrical track.”
Mixed or Negative Reactions
- Germain Lussier (i09) said the film feels like “a longer, bigger episode of the show” and left him “frustrated.”
- Peri Nemiroff (Collider) criticized the live-action depiction of Rotta the Hutt, calling the character’s dialogue “too on the nose.”
- Jonathan Sim described the film as “one of the weakest Star Wars movies,” calling it “emotionless” and “predictable” with “dull, unexciting fight scenes.”
- Griffin Schiller called the film “fine” and “a snooze fest,” comparing it to video game cutscenes.
Box Office Performance
The film earned $167 million worldwide over the four-day Memorial Day weekend. According to Disney, this is the lowest opening weekend for any Star Wars film to date, falling below Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), which earned $168 million globally over the same period.
Business Insider reported that the box office performance raises questions about the franchise’s theatrical appeal, noting that some audiences may have become accustomed to watching Star Wars content at home via streaming.
Production and Leadership Context
The film is the first Star Wars theatrical release under new Lucasfilm leadership. Kathleen Kennedy has departed her role at Lucasfilm, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan succeeding her. At Disney, Josh D’Amaro has been designated to replace CEO Bob Iger.
A separate crossover film, which will tie together story threads from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett, is being developed by Dave Filoni and is expected to feature Grand Admiral Thrawn as a villain. This crossover film is planned to follow a second season of Ahsoka. Disney’s next theatrical Star Wars release is Starfighter, set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling.
Thematic Elements
Jon Favreau has stated that the film explores the concept of chosen family, focusing on the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu.
In the trailer, Din Djarin addresses Grogu’s extended lifespan, stating, “The kid will live centuries beyond me. I won’t always be around to protect him.”
The trailer also shows Din Djarin potentially without his signature helmet, a departure from the traditional Mandalorian warrior code, allowing Pedro Pascal’s face to be seen. Favreau has compared the Mandalorian’s masked character to Clint Eastwood’s “Man with No Name” in Western films.
Upcoming Releases
Disney’s next theatrical Star Wars release is Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, set five years after The Rise of Skywalker.