- Primary Subject: The Mandalorian & Grogu
- Key Update: Disney executives are reportedly concerned that the film may face fan backlash or underperform following a divisive, low-impact Super Bowl teaser.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 26, 2026
- Quick Answer: The film hits theaters May 22, 2026, following Din Djarin and Grogu as they hunt Imperial remnants for the New Republic under Colonel Ward's command.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu will mark the franchise’s return to theaters almost seven years after 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
After the final installment of the sequel trilogy received mixed reviews and became the lowest-grossing entry of that trilogy, a new report claims that Disney executives are concerned the franchise could once again face fan backlash.
Disney Executives Reportedly Fear for The Mandalorian & Grogu
The concern reportedly began after The Mandalorian & Grogu debuted its Super Bowl trailer, which failed to generate the level of excitement many fans expected.
Instead of building hype for Star Wars’ theatrical return, some viewers criticized the spot for revealing very little, making it feel more like a teaser than a full, high-impact trailer.
“There are concerns that an unconventional 36-second Super Bowl spot for The Mandalorian & Grogu, which featured the title characters riding a wagon pulled by Tauntauns, failed to generate the kind of excitement the marketing team was hoping to spark,” Variety reported.
Although Disney and Lucasfilm later released a full trailer running over two minutes, complete with Easter eggs and a cameo from Martin Scorsese as an Ardennian shopkeeper, the uncertainty remains, especially because it continues the story of a three-season series.
“The film itself is something of a question mark, given that it's based on a streaming series and, consequently, may not seem like a big-screen proposition for any but the most die-hard Baby Yoda lovers,” the report added.
While The Mandalorian helped launch the television era of Star Wars on Disney+ in 2019, with its first two seasons widely praised, the third season received a more mixed response from audiences.
So, even though The Mandalorian & Grogu was made on a relatively modest $166 million budget, reducing the risk of a major financial loss, the film could still underperform at the box office and potentially face fan backlash if expectations are not met.
What is The Mandalorian & Grogu About?
While the full story of The Mandalorian & Grogu remains under tight wraps, Disney has released an official logline for the film:
“The evil Empire has fallen, but Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice, Grogu.”
Fortunately, the trailers have offered glimpses of what fans can expect from the movie.
In the first trailer, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu appear to seek information from the Brother and Sister Hutt regarding the remaining forces of the Galactic Empire, possibly tracking loyalists still devoted to Emperor Palpatine.
Meanwhile, newcomer Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) sends Din and Grogu on a mission that, as she explains, “isn’t about revenge,” but about preventing another galactic war should the Empire rise again, though it remains unclear whether the duo will fully agree with her approach.
The journey won’t be easy for the two, though. The second trailer teases the Hutts capturing Din, Embo hunting Grogu, and numerous criminals and dangerous creatures standing in their way.
As this appears to be the duo’s most dangerous mission yet, fans will have to wait and see how things unfold when The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters on May 22.
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