- Primary Subject: The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl commercial
- Key Update: The Super Bowl spot functioned as a stylistic homage to classic advertisements to build emotional hype for the film’s summer release.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: Disney opted for a nostalgic homage featuring Sam Elliott’s narration to emphasize the characters' cultural icon status rather than revealing plot details through traditional footage.
A new teaser for The Mandalorian and Grogu was released during the Super Bowl, but it ended up being a homage to classic commercials. Here's why.
When reports came that the upcoming Star Wars film would air a 30-second spot in the annual telecast, fans were looking forward to seeing what footage they would show and whether it would reveal more plot details. However, that did not turn out to be the case at all, as it ended up taking a different creative direction in its Super Bowl spot.
Why The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl Spot Paid Homage to Classic Ads
Instead of giving fans new footage or a proper trailer, the Super Bowl spot for The Mandalorian and Grogu showed a scene that is a homage to classic commercials.
Just like the upcoming film, the 30-second advertisement is directed by Jon Favreau. It showed Din Djarin and Grogu riding a carriage powered by Tauntauns on an icy planet, accompanied by a voiceover narration from Sam Elliott.
Some fans online were confused about Disney/Lucasfilm's creative decision not to do a proper trailer for its Super Bowl spot, even if it's an earnest homage to classic Super Bowl commercials that we've seen in the past.
In a statement to Variety, Disney’s executive VP of creative marketing, Jackson George, explained why they took this direction for the film's Super Bowl commercial.
"Grogu is more than a character; he’s a pop culture phenomenon. Riding alongside the heroic Mandalorian, he brings lightness, humor, joy, and an instant emotional connection that transcends the moment," he said.
"This Big Game spot celebrates how deeply we love and connect with these characters, reminds us of the fun, heart, and spectacle that defines Star Wars, and offers a bite-sized promise of the experience audiences will get when they see these two beloved icons on the big screen."
Lucasfilm’s marketing brand lead Ryan Stankevich also said that they intended for the Super Bowl spot to feel like an "instantly iconic, cinematic, and quintessentially Star Wars."
"Our creative and marketing team landed on a unique concept that gave a nod to classic Big Game spots of years past. It captured the warmth, humor, and emotional connection between these two beloved characters and was the perfect next step for our campaign as we lead up to their big screen debut this summer," he explained.
What to Expect in The Mandalorian and Grogu
According to the logline for The Mandalorian and Grogu: "The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu."
The cast includes Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Jonny Coyne, and Grogu as himself. Jon Favreau directed the film and co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni.
The film is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 22, 2026. It will also be screened on IMAX.
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