The Star Wars movies are a vital part of the pop culture landscape for decades, with entire generations brought up on the galaxy far, far away. In recent years fans with a Disney+ subscription were treated to live-action shows, starting with Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian. That hero and Baby Yoda made their way to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, which struggled at the box office and is the lowest-grossing Star Wars film ever. But the franchise just got a hopeful update that should help quell the fears of fans who are worried we've seen the last of those two beloved characters.

The Mandalorian and Grogu's Rotten Tomatoes score was mixed. And when you combine that with its box office haul, some fans were concerned the movie might have been a franchise killer. But we're getting more content featuring Grogu and Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin shortly. The announcement came from the official Star Wars social media outlets, check it out below:

It look like Mando and Grogu aren't going anywhere anytime soon, as we're getting a new Disney+ special featuring those two beloved Star Wars characters in LEGO form. This will likely be a retelling of the events of The Mandalorian, but we'll just have to wait and see if it also includes parts of Jon Favreau's movie. Either way, it seems like the studio isn't ready to call it quits on this father/son combo.

While this LEGO special didn't come with any details about the franchise's future, I found this announcement to be a huge relief. While I really enjoyed seeing The Mandalorian and Grogu on the big screen, clearly not everyone agreed. And I've been nervous that the movie's conclusion will be the final time we see Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda on the screen together.

The movie might not have performed as planned, but hopefully we'll still get a fourth season of The Mandalorian on Disney+. The show was a wild success, winning 15 Emmys across its first three seasons on the air. So while its transition to theaters left something to be desired, writing off Mando and Grogu altogether feels like a big mistake to me. After all, the show's popularity is a big reason why other live-action shows like Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor came to be. The latter is considered one of the best Star Wars projects of all time, so we've got to put respect on The Mandalorian's name.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will arrive to purchase and rent digitally on July 21st as part of the 2026 movie release list, while LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian will hit September 2nd on Disney+. Fingers crossed we get an update about the franchise's future soon.

Spoilers below for parts of The Mandalorian and Grogu, so be warned if you haven’t yet watched the 2026 movie release.

Despite a certain amount of doubt in Disney’s decision-making skills for its Star Wars content, The Mandalorian and Grogu surpassed expectations to dominate the box office in its opening weekend, and with a story that feels as timeless to me as any franchise entries since the original trilogy. Not only did it largely avoid needless fan-service connections and twists, but it was also exciting, funny, and filled with adorable Grogu moments, natch.

What I wasn’t expecting at all, however, was for a nerve-jangling Mandalorian and Grogu action sequence to make me want to writhe my way out of the theater, while also being one of the coolest action sequences in the entire franchise. I mean, who could possibly expect such a dichotomy being spurred by a Star Wars movie? Discussion cannon: armed and firing…

Star Wars Action Doesn't Get Much Bigger Or Better Than That Mountainside Battle With The AT-ATs

As someone who's loved this George Lucas-crafted franchise since childhood, while being a fandom-centrist in general, I had a capped-level of excitement for Jon Favreau's first Star Wars movie. Like many, I think The Mandalorian Season 1 is a high point whose next two outings provided diminishing returns, but I figured Disney wouldn't take yet another high-budget swing without a Hutt-family-reunion-sized confidence in his and Dave Filoni's storytelling skills. The IMAX of it all didn't hurt, either.

So I wasn't necessarily surprised that The Mandalorian and Grogu kicks off with a huge action sequence, but I was taken aback by just how great and effective the whole shebang is, especially once the AT-ATs come into it. The scale is so grand that the rest of the movie can't quite match up, which is fine, since the mountain-set battle counts among the best Star Wars action scenes of all time. Is it the best of the entire modern era? I'll allow for some recency bias here.

One big reason this explosive scene easily stands out to my brain is because it utilizes the vertical scale in a way that this franchise usually doesn't. Nearly all of Star Wars' most memorable scenes play out either on a flat, horizontal axis (Endor landspeeders, lightsaber fights, podracing, etc.) or in free space (X-Wing battles, the Battle of Scarif, etc.). Luke's dramatic fall down the shaft on Cloud City is an exception, but certainly doesn't match up.

For Mandalorian and Grogu, Jon Favreau wisely set the AT-AT conflict on a relatively thin strip of mountain pathway, without the room for the giant mechs to maneuver sideways. (Not quite sure how they got out there in the first place.) Obviously Mando and Grogu fly horizontally from one to the next, but it's the up-and-down scale that blew me away, with the human characters looking so miniscule compared to the vehicles that it hurt my head to think about how tall they actually were, which is where the anxiety clawed in.

As Much As I Love It, The Sequence Made Me Legitimately Squirm With Anxiety

One of my lesser-explored brain tics can get stirred up when objects of drastically different sizes share the same space, to the point where just the scale alone feels dangerous in some way. It's somewhat akin to the idea of getting stuck atop the highest hill of a roller coaster, or looking inside a skyscraper that's completely hollowed out. It's not always so much about height as it is about vastness, but the AT-ATs themselves were enough to immediately send my mind reeling, since they are essentially walking high-rises.

Thinking about climbing one of them out there on that mountain is enough to make me stay inside my home office until the next ice age. Which goes double when I imagine flying around those giant bastards. It's just hard enough to comprehend that panic creeps in.

But my gawd, it's when the AT-ATs are falling that I was the most awash with unease, mainly due to how long it takes, given how honking big they are. Imagining myself as one of the people inside the "head," knowing that death is imminent but not here just yet, that's pure dread to me.

As well, I don't mean to trivialize any real-world tragedies, but watching that one AT-AT falling over the edge of the mountain and down into the rocky abyss tapped into the same "this can't be happening" sense as seeing buildings and cities destroyed by natural disasters and/or warfare. If I would have been vacationing on that planet in a cabin on the opposite side of the mountains from the battle, and saw the AT-AT fall, I'd never stop freaking out about it.

But that's just me and my neurotic brainy-poo. Thankfully, or not, everything else in The Mandalorian and Grogu was scaled so that my anxiety levels could once again level out, and I could enjoy Babu Frik's arrival in full, baby.

Not every acting role is destined to be witnessed by millions of joyous fans around the globe, just like not every role has the power to transport an actor back to their youth. However, The Mandalorian and Grogu co-star Jonny Coyne was able to enjoy both of those distinctions as Star Wars antagonist Janu Coin. The English actor talked to CinemaBlend about being so "very excited, very humbled" to be in a big-screen Star Wars movie (one that's crushing in the box office) nearly 50 years after seeing A New Hope in theaters.

First appearing in The Mandalorian's third season as a hologram, Janu had a more direct impact on Din Djarin and Grogu's well-beings in the 2026 movie release, but we won't get into spoilers for those who haven't yet watched. To that end, Coyne also had to keep details close to the villainous vest when I asked whether he knew when signing on for the role that he'd have more appearances down the line. He told me:

If I'm lucky enough to live to be 100, and Jon Favreau's grandson asks me to play a tree (sans makeup) in Star Wars: The First Ewok or whatever, I'd do it in a heartbeat. An erratic, questionable heartbeat. So I certainly get where Coyne is coming from on that front, and I'm not even an actor by trade, or by anything else.

When I asked if he was a fan of the franchise overall, the Blacklist vet confirmed that he was definitely part of the targeted audience for George Lucas' Episode IV: A New Hope when it came out in 1977. Just maybe not the youngest demographic within that targeted span. In his words:

Though the franchise can often be geared for younger viewers, readers and gamers, that's certainly not the case for all corners of the galaxy, nor for all upcoming Star Wars projects. When A New Hope introduced the world to Luke Skywalker and his loyal droids, Hollywood wasn't yet in that mindset, and so there were definitely older teens and grown-a-s adults filling those theater seats in 1977 and beyond.

I can't imagine anyone at the time could have predicted Star Wars would become a billion-dollar industry unto itself, not even Jonny Coyne. (No offense, J.C.) But succeed it did, to the point where, nearly 50 years later, the actor was walking on sets, learning official jargon, and mixing it up with Grogu behind the scenes.

When I asked about the scale of Mandalorian and Grogu's sets, practical and otherwise, Coyne seemed to conjure up some of that wistful magic when he answered, saying:

To Coyne's point, a lot of TV and movie sets will inevitably feel like TV and movie sets, regardless of how well-designed they are, usually due to cameras (or the spaces required to fit cameras) helping break the illusion. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Star Wars movie sets can go above and beyond in that respect, to the point where a more full sense of immersion can sink in before reality rears its head again.

Outside of the actual acting experience, Jonny Coyne also voiced how excited he was to extend the Star Wars fandom down to younger generations within his own family, as The Mandalorian and Grogu makes for a big milestone for his grandchildren. Here's how he described it.

I can only (new) hope that Lord Janu Coin wasn't too scary for his grandchildren, and that they don't hold grudges against him for holding Grogu captive for a while. Those kinds of grudges can stick.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now, and with more than enough adorable Baby Yoda moments to inspire return viewings. And don't even get me started on Babu Frik and his li'l buddies!

Pedro Pascal may be the face and voice most audiences associate with Din Djarin, but the 2026 movie calendar release, The Mandalorian and Grogu, appears to be giving some serious love to the performers, like Brendan Wayne, who physically bring Mando to life inside the armor. And honestly, fans are very much noticing. That's evident due to the fact that many are taking to social media to give props to the two guys who really wear the suit for most of the runtime.

A theater-shot image of the movie’s cast credits started circulating on X, showing Pedro Pascal billed as The Mandalorian, followed immediately by Brendan Wayne as “The Mandalorian Suit Performer” and Lateef Crowder as “The Mandalorian Stunt Performer.” That’s notable because Wayne and Crowder have long been major parts of the character’s physical performance, with Wayne handling much of Mando’s in-suit presence and Crowder contributing stunt and action work.

That credit placement has now sparked its own little Star Wars debate. Is it unusual for a suit performer and stunt performer to be billed so prominently alongside the star of the movie? Fans can’t seem to agree, but a lot of them are happy to see Wayne and Crowder get that kind of recognition.

Fans Respond To Top Billing For Mando Suit Performers

The original post from Best of Star Wars on X pointed out that it is “highly irregular” for stunt performers to share top billing with the lead actor or actress, before asking how often Pascal was actually on screen during the film. That question kicked open the usual Star Wars discourse sarlaac pit, but a lot of fans focused on something more positive: Wayne and Crowder getting visible credit. Some of the reactions included:

• @MegaTalinArt: “I love that they even were listed high in the opening credits as well, very respectable to the guys bringing Mando to life.”
• @ponton20: “Shouldn’t it be celebrated more the suit and stunt guys are up there, than using it to bash Pedro??”
• @NightWolve75: “So the Mando ‘suit wearers’ did most of the on-screen work then, fair/makes sense they’d get credited at the top like this.”
• @joeyscocoa: “Pedro did say in one of the interviews published yday or so that he was on set ‘quite a lot’ even when the stunt ppl were, but he also never holds back his praise for them bringing Mando to life with him, so ye.”

That last point feels important. Pascal has often spoken warmly about the people who help create Din Djarin, and this credit placement feels less like a weird demotion of him and more like a cool acknowledgment of how collaborative this character has always been.

Star Wars Has A Long History With Shared Physical Performances

Of course, because this is Star Wars, fans immediately started pulling historical receipts. One user, @Brahbocop, posted a classic credit image showing Frank Oz performing Yoda, James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader and David Prowse as Darth Vader. Another fan, @feline_ranger, called the Mando crediting “a posthumous apology to David Prowse,” arguing:

That comparison is not perfect, but it does get at why this is interesting. Din Djarin is a masked character for most of his screen time. Voice, body language and stunt work all matter.

Not everyone understood the arrangement. @RedWingsDoc asked, “Wait, am I naive in thinking that Pascal was in the suit the whole time?” Meanwhile, @Scareywrestrock even admitted to only just hearing the term “suit performer” for the first time. Fair questions, honestly. The best masked characters can make the labor behind the performance easier to miss.

That’s what makes the credit placement so cool. It pulls the curtain back just enough to remind fans that one person does not create Mando, as it's a group effort. Pedro Pascal gives him the voice, Wayne gives him that lived-in gunslinger presence, and Crowder helps sell the action when called for.

So, yes, fans can argue about who was in the suit and when. That’s the internet’s favorite little swamp hobby. But the bigger takeaway is simpler: The Mandalorian and Grogu seems to have given Wayne and Crowder the kind of visible credit that performers behind masked characters do not always get, and that’s worth celebrating.

The newest Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is playing in theaters now, so be sure to check your local listings for show times. Or, if you want to revisit all the other SW mainline shows, spin-offs and television series in order, all you need is a Disney+ subscription.

Look, I know critics are divided on The Mandalorian and Grogu, and they took some fair shots, but I just don’t agree, because I had a blast. When I left the theater, not only did I find myself perfectly content that there weren’t any franchise-changing twists, but I also want to point out another aspect of the movie that really made an impact on me: the effects.

The Mandalorian Felt Like The Handmade Star Wars Movies Of The Past

I love how much practical filmmaking was clearly involved in The Mandalorian and Grogu. It made me feel like I was watching something from the OG era of the franchise, and after years of CGI effects in Star Wars movies and other sci-fi space epics, I was genuinely moved by it. Whether it be the puppetry used for Grogu, models and stop-motion action, it felt like Jon Favreau and the other filmmakers and craft artists working on this implemented the kind of movie tricks that really made movies more special back in the 1970s and 1980s.

When I had the chance to go on a set visit for The Mandalorian and Grogu recently, which was filmed completely in Los Angeles, we were shown to a room that exemplifies the kind of practical effects and props used on the new movie. Check out some highlights below:

After years of seeing Star Wars movies that look more like video games, the love and care around The Mandalorian and Grogu was so clear to me, even if it doesn’t have the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of the franchise. While sitting in the theater, there were times when I felt like I was watching one of those Ray Harryhausen movies my parents showed me as a kid, like the Sinbad movies or 1981’s Clash of the Titans.

Practical special effects like those feel like a dying art, but were absolutely part of the original trilogy. Back then, they implemented mechanical models, miniatures, puppets and matte paintings to illustrate the settings rather than the computer-generated technology that’s become so popular nowadays, and now that we’ve moved away from it, I see how effective it can be when a modern movie uses it.

Now I Want To Watch A Whole Movie With Grogu And The Anzellans

I think because the main character of The Mandalorian and Grogu is helmeted for most of the movie, the scenes that moved me the most were when Grogu and/or the Anzelans were the only characters in the frame, and I was watching storytelling unfold predominantly through the use of practical effects.

I literally could have watched an entire movie full of more adorable Baby Yoda moments because I think there’s something so precious about seeing these practical puppets/animatronics in front of you and knowing all the work that went into bringing them to life. It reminded me of The Muppets at times in the most complementary way, which I love for the same reasons.

I truly hope more upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows decide to go back to this more practical, handcrafted filmmaking that feels true to the spirit of why we still love and adore A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

For a certain kind of Star Wars franchise fan, the opening crawl is practically sacred text. You hear the blast of John Williams’ score, see those yellow words drift into space and immediately feel like someone opened the door to the galaxy far, far away. So, when The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the 2026 movie schedule without the classic crawl, it was bound to raise some eyebrows. But why doesn’t it appear in the newest Star Wars movie?

Despite former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy previously telling fans that future films would continue to use the crawl, that has not been the case. Instead, Mandalorian and Grogu opens with light blue stationary text against a starry background, and Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni explained the decision during Entertainment Weekly’s Debunked video series. First, Filoni, the newest president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, said:

That was Filoni’s explanation and, honestly, I get it. The classic crawl is not just a block of exposition. It is one of the franchise’s biggest ceremonial objects, somewhere between a movie opening and a church bell. The second it appears, it tells audiences they are watching one of the capital-letter Chapters.

Favreau made a similar point, noting that the crawl has traditionally belonged to the Skywalker saga films. He pointed out that the standalone Star Wars movies, Rogue One and Solo, did not use the classic crawl either, despite being theatrical releases. Farvreau added:

All fair points, especially since there really is so much Star Wars now. There are live-action shows, animated series and spinoff movies. Not only that, but side characters have become lead characters, and some timelines look wildly different from one another, with those available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. If every project uses the same opening ritual, that ritual starts to feel less like a thunderclap and more like brand wallpaper.

What makes this especially interesting is that The Mandalorian and Grogu is in a strange middle place. It is a big-screen Star Wars movie, but it is also continuing a story that started on Disney+. Din Djarin and Grogu have their own rhythm, their own tone and their own visual grammar. However, some of the critical response to the flick has been less than positive, all pointing to the fact that the movie feels like several episodes of the series edited together for a theatrical release.

Filoni’s Ahsoka example is useful because it shows Lucasfilm is not abandoning the idea of opening context. It is just playing with form. Ahsoka had its own version, using red vertical text instead of the classic crawl. The Mandalorian and Grogu uses a stationary light blue setup. The franchise is still giving audiences the “previously in this galaxy” information, but it’s holding out the holy yellow scroll for mainline entries.

That may frustrate some fans, especially after Kennedy’s earlier comment suggested the crawl would be part of future films, but Favreau and Filoni’s explanation makes sense as a way to preserve the original device's power. The crawl should feel special. If Lucasfilm slaps it onto every movie, show and side quest, it becomes less of an event. For a franchise already stretched across so many formats, saving a few sacred tricks for the saga might be one of the smarter calls.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now. Check your local listings for showtimes.

For my entire life (and probably yours too), Star Wars movies have been the kind of films I just have to go see in theaters. But, since all of the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows in the past seven years have been available to watch at home with a Disney+ subscription, I think it’s changed things for us collectively. My excitement about The Mandalorian and Grogu has been middling, if I’m being honest. Even so, there was something in me that just didn’t feel right about skipping out on my lifelong tradition of seeing the newest Star Wars movie in theaters.

I’m so happy I did, and one big reason why is that it was a different kind of experience than we’ve been used to in Star Wars movies.

Big Twists Have Become The Norm In Star Wars Movies

Now that I think about it, because The Empire Strikes Back gave audiences one of the best twists in movie history, I think every filmmaker who’s made a Star Wars movie has been trying to recapture the feeling of watching it by having big reveals in subsequent movies. But with that, we’ve kind of found ourselves in a plot loop over the years – Kylo Ren killing his father Han Solo, Rey being a Palpatine, and so forth.

Understandably so, going into the first Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker, I thought maybe The Mandalorian and Grogu was hiding some massive twist that I wanted to experience for myself before the internet did for me. However, as critic reactions have already suggested, “This isn’t a galaxy-shaking epic”.

You may be bummed to learn this, but having seen the movie, I have to say, I appreciated watching a Star Wars movie that didn’t feel like it needed to have a moment where it needed to shock me with some family-related big reveal. It was refreshing, even.

I Enjoyed The Mandalorian And Grogu For The Low Stakes Movie It Is

The Mandalorian and Grogu is one of the more accessible Star Wars releases we’ve had in a while. You don’t have to have seen The Mandalorian TV show, or anything else before, to really appreciate it, and if you don’t see it, you’re not missing any franchise-shattering reveals. Sure, that might give some Star Wars fans permission to skip out on it, and that's totally OK! I think if you do, though, you might be missing out on something that makes it special.

While watching it, I just had fun. The cool stylized action and the Star Wars aesthetics definitely have precedence over the character development, but it definitely gives Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) more to do than ever, and it was worth the price of admission for me to see the cutest darn thing Star Wars has ever thought up have a feature-length adventure alongside the cowboy-inspired Mandalorian. It's got some gorgeous set design, fun moments and feels like a true escape for its runtime.

It’s not a perfect movie for sure, and I totally get why it's divided critics, but from my perspective, I can say I saw this movie a week ago and have thought back on it multiple times with warm and cozy thoughts about the good memories I made watching it. And, I honestly wouldn’t blink at seeing it again if given the chance. It feels like it will become my Star Wars comfort movie as well.

I also like that it feels nostalgic in a sense of it being a movie I would have loved and watched over and over when I was a kid, and less so in a way of trying to recycle a Star Wars movie I’ve already seen before, with beats it feels like it needs to hit.

I totally recommend The Mandalorian and Grogu if my thoughts get you excited for it, and it's in theaters now!

On the felt-covered surface, one might not automatically link the Star Wars universe and Jim Henson's Muppets characters, but such connections exist. The Mandalorian and Grogu gives fans of both a reason to cheer, thanks to the more adorable half of the film's title. (Sorry for the sour grapes, Pedro Pascal.) But as eager as I was to see him on the big screen, I'm always equally enthused to learn what working with Grogu is like behind the scenes.

I was thankfully able to shake a few comments loose from co-star Jonny Coyne (The Blacklist, The Toxic Avenger), who understandably had to stay fairly tight-lipped about anything that happens with his character Lord Janu in the 2026 movie release itself. (Naturally, I talked to him on the very same day my spoilers-related Force powers were at their weakest.) But he did confirm that the puppeteers in charge of handling Grogu share a similar in-character dedication with The Muppets’ squad.

When I asked what FKA Baby Yoda was like on the set, Coyne amusingly implied Grogu is an exception of sorts to a long-held showbiz belief. In his words:

Babies can be whiny, fussy, hungry or a million other non-camera-friendly emotions, while animals have a tendency to do the opposite of what's being asked when filming is happening. But an animal-esque creature that's small and cute enough to be a baby even though it's 50+ years old? That's apparently the happiest medium, and its name is Grogu.

Coyne continued, giving the tech team props for its method approach to keeping the big-eyed character active when the cameras weren't rolling on the upcoming Star Wars movie, which is no doubt inspired by the Henson school of thought.

Operating an entity like Grogu is obviously on a wholly different level from the work that Muppets performers bring to their characters, both on-screen and off. They're more physically involved, as well as more vocally involved, given that Grogu isn't so invested in language at this point. But the mindset behind not breaking character is a bridge between both sets of artists.

Grogu himself is as much a tie to the Muppets as anything, given that Yoda was the voiced and co-performed by Frank Oz, the legend behind other iconic characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and more. (The Yoda team featured other Jim Henson Company performers as well, such as Kathryn Mullen, Wendy Froud and David Barclay.) Plus, three months before The Empire Strikes Back even hit theaters, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Peter Mayhew guest-starred in Season 4 of The Muppet Show. (Check out this fun conspiracy theory based on that appearance.)

And let's not forget that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, friends with Henson, also famously allowed Muppet Babies to use footage, character names and plot points from Star Wars movies (and Indiana Jones) for episodes, strengthening that connection while also unwittingly making it impossible for the animated series to ever hit DVD or streaming.

In any case, when I asked Jonny Coyne about his own personal Muppets fandom, he wowed me once more by bringing up a personal connection.

(Though Coyne didn't namedrop anyone, I believe he's talking about the stage and screen's Louise Gold, star of multiple Muppets series and films, who was part of the cast ensemble that performed at Jim Henson's funeral. But don't quote me on it.)

Hopefully Disney is planning on turning the Seth Rogen-produced Muppet Show revival special into a full-on series, and that Pedro Pascal and Team Grogu have been tapped as guest stars, so we can finally get Kermit the Frog and Baby Yoda in the same room. Can you imagine a feature where Kermit was the one tasked with keeping The Child safe? MAKE THAT MOVIE RIGHT NOW, DISNEY! And put Jonny Coyne in it, whydontcha?

In closing, I think I'd like to introduce a new adage that can one day be spoken of as a classic one: "Everything is better with, and because of, The Muppets."

Now keep your eyes peeled for any Pigs In Space nods in The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is in theaters as of May 22, 2026.

Pedro Pascal has been working in movies and TV since the '90s, but only in the past several years has he truly emerged as one of the biggest stars working in Hollywood. I mean, last year alone, he led three movies along with being on The Last of Us. So, I’ve been curious if he’s looking to step away from his role as the titular character in The Mandalorian franchise anytime soon. Well, on that note, Pascal just recently shared his thoughts on how much longer he might wear that beskar armor.

Pascal reprises his role as bounty hunter Din Djarin in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The upcoming Star Wars movie marks Lucasfilm's first big-screen entry in the franchise since 2019. At the same time, I also have to wonder if the movie signifies the beginning of Pedro Pascal saying goodbye to the role or if he simply sees this as a new chapter. When DiscussingFilm asked Pascal if he’d thought about whether he’s thought about how long he’ll be playing Djarin for. Here’s what he said in a clip shared to X:

While I’d never guess it myself, Pedro Pascal is 51 years old, so it made sense that when the question came up, he talked about how his body’s limitations could eventually impact him playing Mando. However, based on these comments, it certainly seems like the A-lister is here for the long haul and isn’t yet contemplating an end to his Star Wars tenure, which is exciting! Pascal's commitment to the role also speaks volumes, he's seemingly always busy working on another movie or TV show.

Pascal’s comments on playing the role are definitely encouraging to me as a fan, considering I've loved The Mandalorian since it premiered back in 2019. Considering the actor has done three seasons and this movie at this point, a part of me would've thought conversations would now be had about Pascal moving on from Star Wars. Of course, this franchise does have a knack for retaining actors in one way or another. For instance, Mark Hamill cameoed on both Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett within the last few years with help from digital techniques.)

As Pedro Pascal also pointed out, though, Din Djarin's fate will also have to do with whether audiences continue to embrace his character as well as his own interest. The Mandalorian and Grogu had its premiere earlier this week, and the first reactions were divided on it. While some called it “a ton of fun,” “thrilling” and the “ultimate team up” between the titular characters, others called it “action figures mashed together” and “totally inessential.”

We’ll have to see how The Mandalorian and Grogu does at the box office after it hits theaters on May 25 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. I’d also be curious to see if the film inspires another big-screen adventure or if the creatives decide to make Season 4 as was originally intended before the film was made. Regardless, here's hoping Pascal gets to don that costume and chop it up with the artist formerly known as Baby Yoda for as long as he'd like.

Star Wars Day may have already passed, but The Force is still strong with the fandom as they prepare for the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu on the 2026 movie calendar. Pedro Pascal reprises his role as Din Djarin, as he and Grogu take their adventures to the big screen. First reactions to the upcoming Star Wars movie are hitting social media, and while there is plenty of positive feedback, I’m actually shocked at some of the criticism it’s getting.

The movie — written and directed by Jon Favreau — is set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, where Djarin and his apprentice are tasked with rescuing Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White) in exchange for information on a target. CinemaBlend’s Corey Chichizola caught an early screening, writing on X that the new flick is a “blast.”

He was far from the only moviegoer to comment on that adorable little scene-stealer. Critic Courtney Howard echoed those thoughts as she expressed surprise at how much fun she had. Her post reads:

Simon Thompson is also “pleasantly and genuinely shocked” by how good the Star Wars movie is, writing:

Erik Davis says the franchise doesn’t worry too much about “canon homework” in this one, cutting loose for an enjoyable, pulpy flick made for a Saturday matinee. The critic says:

Other critics remained complimentary while still getting real about some of their hangups with the sci-fi film, including Perri Nemiroff, who says she wasn’t sold on Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt:

Wendy Lee Szany also fell prey to the charms of Grogu, but not so much that she could overlook issues of pacing and runtime. In the critic’s words:

Then, there are the critics who were not at all hyped about The Mandalorian and Grogu, with Jonathan Sim calling it “one of the weakest Star Wars movies.” He continues:

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo agrees it just felt like a longer version of what we’ve gotten from the series (available to stream with a Disney+ subscription), and not in a good way. His post reads:

Bill Bria of SlashFilm goes so far as to say he despised the Pedro Pascal-led movie, calling it “terminally dull.” The critic’s first reaction reads:

It does seem like The Mandalorian and Grogu has some redeeming qualities, with Grogu being a consistent bright spot amongst early audiences. Only time will tell if this will be a franchise win or a failure for Disney at the box office. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on Friday, May 22.

Tickets for The Mandalorian and Grogu went on sale this week, and normally this would be a cause for celebration, but I really feel like their should have been more of a tie in between Star Wars Day on May the 4th and the upcoming 2026 movie release. Let’s talk it out.

So, tickets went on sale for the first Star Wars big screen venture we’ve gotten since The Rise Of Skywalker came out seven years ago. We’ve been through a bunch of announced and later cut movies, not the least of which was the project GOT creators Benioff and Weiss quit, but also the scrapped project Steven Soderbergh has recently been open about. It’s a big deal! There’s an upcoming Star Wars movie in the pipeline! How is Jon Favreau’s new Mando movie not tying it into the famous day with these tickets?

First of all, I know Disney has some stuff planned for Star Wars Day. Disneyland After Dark has a Star Wars Night on May the 4th. Han, Leia and the gang have already been introduced into Batuu (which changes the theming, but also gives the people what they want) ahead of the big anniversary day. If you have a Disney+ subscription, Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord has been ongoing, and the final two episodes will hit the 2026 TV schedule on May 4th. The fans will have stuff to talk about; I’m not worried about that.

I’m also not mad that Mandalorian and Grogu is waiting to head to theaters until the end of the month on May 22. Memorial Day weekend is a big moviegoing weekend for families. To top it off, in a lot of parts of the country, including where I live, kids are getting out of school at the end of May. So, theaters can theoretically get more butts into seats because of this, as well.

I do understand it’s not unlike theaters to release tickets to the public weeks or even months in advance. For example, Dune: Part Three IMAX tickets already went on sale, and that movie is not coming out until the end of the year. So, I’m not upset with Disney for putting The Mandalorian and Grogu tickets on sale this week and giving advance ticket sales more legs. I just seriously feel like it was a missed opportunity.

We've seen the first 18 minutes of the movie, and plan to see the rest. Yet, I would love to have gone to the movie website on May the 4th and bought my tickets to the movie, then shared that I did it for Star Wars Day, simple as that. I can still purchase tickets on May the 4th, and I just might, but as someone who has gone to Star Wars Celebration, I know there’s nothing quite like being in the exact same boat on the exact same day as other Star Wars fans, and that opportunity will not align here.

Gina Carano’s issues with Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company have been well-documented at this point. The Mandalorian co-star was fired from the entertainment corporations back in 2021 after sharing social media posts that stirred up controversy. By 2024, Carano formally sued her former employers on the grounds of alleged wrongful termination and more. With that lawsuit now settled, it would seem Carano has since had at least one chat with two of her former collaborators, Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau.

How Did Gina Carano’s Post-Lawsuit Talk With The Lucasfilm Bigwigs Go Down?

For context, the lawsuit Carano filed against her ex-bosses was reportedly settled sometime around the late summer of 2025. At that time, it was reported that the actress was pleased with how everything ultimately panned out in the matter. One intriguing detail that was also included in Disney’s statement was the company mentioning that “we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.” That tidbit seemed to suggest that Carano could possibly return to Lucasfilm at some point.

As of this writing, there’s been no official announcement regarding whether Gina Carano will actually rejoin the Star Wars franchise and reprise her role as Cara Dune. Interestingly enough, though, she recently revealed on an episode of The Ariel Helwani Show (which was posted to YouTube) that she actually did speak to newly installed Lucasfilm co-CEO Dave Filoni as well as Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau. As for what the vibe was when the trio talked, Carano shared this:

By the sounds of it, the three collaborators had a jovial conversation when they reunited after the legal drama. Carano worked with Favreau and Filoni on the first two seasons of The Mandalorian (and those are still available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.) Before the character of Cara Dune was written out, it was also rumored that Carano might be leading a since-scrapped spinoff, Rangers of the New Republic. So, given this info on the friendly meeting, it’s hard not to wonder if Carano may suit up again with the legal drama done.

Why Was Gina Carano Fired And Why Did She File Suit Against Disney & Co.?

Ahead of her firing, Carano made headlines for several social media posts she shared, which included critiques about COVID-19 pandemic protocols and voter fraud claims regarding the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Carano also poked fun at pronouns being used by social media users. The star’s dismissal from the Star Wars franchise came after she shared a post that appeared to compare the experience of being a conservative to the Holocaust.

Carano subsequently cited what she believed to be a double standard, since her co-star, Pedro Pascal, didn’t receive disciplinary action for political posts he’d shared. In the lawsuit she filed in 2024, Carano cited both wrongful termination and sex discrimination as her reasons for filing suit. The Deadpool alum sought $75,000 in punitive damages and her suit was also backed by Tesla founder Elon Musk. When responding, Disney argued for its “a constitutional right to dissociate its own artistic message from Carano's outspoken 'political beliefs.”’ The company’s attempt to have the suit dismissed also proved unsuccessful.

Eventually, Carano’s team saw a win in the spring of 2025 when it was ruled that the House of Mouse had to disclose information in regard to how various actors linked to the Star Wars franchise had been paid. News of the lawsuit settlement came months later.

It’s honestly hard to say whether Gina Carano – who’s set to face Rhonda Rousey in an MMA fight this May – will actually play Cara Dune again following the drama she’s experienced in recent years. Carano herself referred to that time as “embarrassing,” and she initially seemed to share mixed feelings about the prospect of playing Dune again. At the very least, though, Carano’s comments on her chat with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni suggest she doesn’t have bad blood with the duo.

Since it was first announced that the Star Wars franchise was developing The Mandalorian And Grogu as a film, I've been concerned about a particular hurdle facing the project: while Star Wars in general is known for providing spectacle, audiences have been (for lack of a better word) trained to see the adventures with the titular characters on the small screen, and I've wondered how the approach will change with the story moving to a new medium. The good news is that director Jon Favreau seems to be very aware of that special complication, and he seems to have approached it by using all of the big screen blockbuster tools at his disposal.

The official Star Wars Twitter account has posted clips from a roundtable interview with the director and stars of The Mandalorian And Grogu – specifically Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Grogu – and it includes standout commentary from the filmmaker about the cinematic experience that he is looking to provide with his first feature in the canon. The work is going to be featured on some of the biggest screens on Earth, and he made a point of using both cutting edge technology and "classic" effects to make the movie a spectacle and an experience audiences will never forget:

A filmmaker trying to recapture one of the most magical experiences they ever had in a theater and imbue it into their work sounds like a rather extreme goal and one that might be impossible… but I certainly admire Jon Favreau, a die-hard Star Wars fan, for setting just a lofty target, especially because The Mandalorian And Grogu is going to need that energy. I don't think there is anybody on the planet who really expects it to recreate what it was like for audiences in 1977 to see George Lucas' grade space adventure for the first time – a film that forever changed pop culture – but even a percentage of success in that direction would be a big win.

Still, Favreau doubled down on the sentiment, adding:

If all goes according to plan, we are now less than two months away on the 2026 movie release calendar from all experiencing that level of excitement. With a cast that includes the aforementioned Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver as well as Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, The Mandalorian And Grogu will be arriving in theaters everywhere on May 22.

One of the most anticipated 2026 movie releases will feature one of the smallest cinematic heroes hitting the big screen, as the upcoming Star Wars feature The Mandalorian and Grogu set to blast into theaters on May 22. That’s just over two months away, which is great, but fans are still somehow still in the dark regarding who the movie’s major villain will be. Unless the answer has been staring us in the face all along, that is.

WIth the final big post-Super Bowl trailer dropping in February, Mandalorian and Grogu may technically be finished revealing new footage ahead of the actual release — save for shortform TV spots and any BTS segments shared via Disney+ subscription or social media. But beyond some seemingly lower-tier antagonists, such as Jeremy Allen White’s Ratta the Hutt, the bigger threats facing Pedro Pascal’s hero are still seemingly unknown. But the theory posed by ScreenRant suggests that the big bad could be the movie’s biggest co-star: Sigourney Weaver.

Could Sigourney Weaver's Colonel Ward Be A Secret Star Wars Villain?

Truth be told, when Weaver was first announced as the newest cast member to join the Star Wars universe for Jon Favreau's first franchise feature, I immediately joked about her being the movie's baddie, but more in line with the pop culture rule of "the most famous guest star in the procedural is always the murderer." Bringing in this level of legend can't just be for a bit role, and I don't see her standing alongside Mando in hero mode throughout the runtime.

Sure, the creative team could have looped Sigourney Weaver into the mix for a role that's solely authoritative, for Din to either obey with loyalty or go against rebelliously. It's not so far out there a notion, since there aren't any other new live-action human characters that have been cast. We will indeed see some returning characters such as co-screenwriter Dave Filoni's Trapper Wolf and Jonny Coyne's faction leader, and there will no doubt be some surprise reveals in store. But Weaver being the marquee new addition could really go either way.

It would be a fantastic shift for Weaver, who has spent the majority of her career playing protagonists, with the Alien franchise's Ellen Ripley being the one she'll forever be synonymous with. Not to downplay other fan-favorite roles such as Ghostbusters' Dana — there is only Zuul? — and Avatar's Dr. Grace and Kiri. At this point, the expectation is always for her to play heroes, or at least helpful side characters.

That said, she did play a crafty and well-spoken villain in Bryan Fuller’s A+ Dust Bunny last year, so perhaps Weaver is currently transitioning into her Villain Era. Which would probably help to make the character's fictional history mean more within the context of the upcoming movie. Weaver has spoken about Ward having a lengthy history with Leia Organa. On the one hand, that will allow the new movie to reference the O.G. heroine without leaping through hoops. But because that connection sets up the expection for the Colonel to be on Mando's side, it's kind of a perfect set-up to eventually upend with a devious twist.

If anyone needed any visual proof of Sigourney Weaver's possible descent into villainy, just look at the disrespect she shows Kate Hudson over the latter's physical interactions with Grogu.

I can't wait to see whether or not Weaver's character calls Pedro's Din a "b---h" at any point during The Mandalorian and Grogu. I will do a cartwheel down the theater aisle if it happens. But if it ends up being General Thrawn? Yeah, that'd be worth a cartwheel or two as well, even if he likely won't be popping up until Ahsoka Season 2.

Find out which baddies Mando and Grogu will be facing off against when the next Star Wars feature hits theaters on May 22, 2026.

It's hard to believe it's been more than half a decade since The Mandalorian premiered on Disney+. That auspicious premiere kicked off what would become an epic new saga for the Star Wars franchise, one that introduced some of the most beloved characters to date. While Grogu, aka “Baby Yoda,” and Pedro Pascal’s Mando get most of the attention, there was another that caught my attention: Werner Herzog’s The Client. So it was thrilling for me to speak to Herzog about his role on behalf of CinemaBlend.

I couldn’t get over the fact that Herzog, the acclaimed filmmaker behind some of the most decorated documentaries of all time, was playing a high-ranking member of the former Galactic Empire. And, even after these past several years, that sense of remains so all these years later. So, when I recently caught up with Herzog to discuss his Ghost Elephants documentary, I asked how his role came together. It turns out, Jon Favreau deserves a lot of credit:

The fact that Favreau, who created the series that is about to launch the first new Star Wars movie in seven years (this summer’s The Mandalorian & Grogu) specifically wanted Herzog to play a part in his show is just so cool. Though I was already familiar with Herzog and his body of work at the time, I like to imagine his brief appearance introduced him to a whole new audience.

Herzog previously said that not only was he not familiar with any of Favreau’s previous films, but he also had never watched a single Star Wars movie, which is wild to think about. That said, I got the impression that the filmmaker enjoyed his time on set, even if he didn’t think that Grogu was cute. (At least he didn’t punch the puppet like one of his co-stars in the show’s first season.)

Later on, I asked Herzog, who is no stranger to working in extreme locations on ambitious projects, what it was like working on The Mandalorian. That question seemed to have unlocked some long-buried memory, as the German director started to geek out about the new technology Favreau used to bring the alien planets to life, both in the finished product and on set. As Herzog explained:

While it's been seven years since Herzog appeared on The Mandalorian (his character didn’t make it to the Season 1 finale), I could pick up that the experience meant something to him, both then and now. For all of that to come as a result of an invite from one of his biggest fans is truly magical.

If you’ve ever wanted to go back and revisit Werner Herzog’s performance as The Client in The Mandalorian, the full series is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. You will also be able to use that to watch Ghost Elephants when it makes its streaming debut on March 8th.

It’s a good time to be a Star Wars fan, finally, as those who are looking forward to both the first Star Wars theatrical release in years and the next chapter of the most popular Star Wars series on Disney+ will get their wish. The Mandalorian and Grogu is one of the most anticipated movies on the 2026 release calendar, and while it may not contain a fan favorite character, Katee Sackhoff promises that Bo-Katan Kryze will be back someday.

In a recent appearance at Fan Expo Vancouver (via The Direct), Katee Sackhoff was asked if she expected to return to the Star Wars universe at some point, and while many might give vague answers to such questions, Sackhoff was very open that she fully expects to play the role of Bo-Katan “forever.” She can’t imagine her character ever being killed off or erased because the Chief Creative Officer, and brand new co-President of Lucasfilm, would have to answer to his wife. Sackhoff said…

Sackhoff has revealed previously that the character that she first voiced in The Clone Wars animated series, before playing her in live-action on The Mandalorian, found her name as an amalgamation of the name of Filoni’s wife and the wife’s pet cat. Sackhoff said…

Katee Sackhoff likely isn’t wrong; that is some serious job security. I would not want to be Dave Filoni if he came home one day and had to tell his wife that he killed off her character. As far as we know, we won’t be seeing Bo-Katan in the upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, but surprises are sure to be in store. It would not be a shock if she appeared.

Even outside of the film, we’re still expecting a major Star Wars movie from Filoni that will bring together all of the Disney+ Star Wars series in an Avengers-like crossover, and considering how important Bo-Katan is to both The Mandalorian and Ahsoka Tano, it’s hard to believe she won’t be a factor then.

With Dave Filoni now in full creative control at Lucasfilm, it’s not like anybody is going to tell him not to include the character inspired by his wife whenever he chooses to do so.

The Mandalorian and Grogu's release date is still a few months away, but hype seems to be building, thanks to the recent release of the Mando movie's latest trailer. I know my interest in the upcoming Star Wars movie has increased, especially after a preview of the upcoming toy line. What's particularly intriguing is that this new merchandise may have revealed a major villain, who could be relevant to the journey of Din Djarin (who's played by Pedro Pascal).

While Disney held off on "Baby Yoda" merchandise before Grogu was introduced in The Mandalorian, all bets seem to be off for the previously mentioned 2026 movie release. The recent Toy Fair in New York showed off action figures for the upcoming movie, and there's an interesting Droid that has a look that spans different eras.

A New Toy Suggests A Unique Mercenary Droid Will Play A Big Part In The Mandalorian And Grogu

A new toy, currently called "Mercenary Guard Droid," is making waves with Star Wars fans, as pictures of the figure make the rounds on the internet. The most unique thing about this Droid, as ScreenRant reported, is that it has the head of a Separatist-era B1 Battle or Commando Droid. It also rides a STAP from the Prequel series (or the vehicles that looked like brown and bulky floating pogo sticks).

While this character could end up meaning as much to The Mandalorian and Grogu as the Sith Trooper did to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it does seem to have quite a few variants and even a Funko Pop planned for the merch rollout. As such, some believe it will be a central figure in the story and, based on Din Djarin's history, an antagonist to the hero.

This Enemy Would Be A Callback To A Key Piece Of Din's Characterization

From the start of The Mandalorian, Din has made it clear he's not a fan of Droids. He doesn't like working with them, he doesn't like them repairing his ship and tends to avoid them whenever he can.

The Mandalorian later revealed the reason for that prejudice, as Din's family was killed by a Separatist attack during the Clone Wars when he was a child. It was during that invasion that Din was taken in by the Mandalorians as a Foundling, and the rest is history.

Imagine now, how traumatizing it could be for Mando to go up against a Droid who shares the same face as the types of Droids that killed his parents? That's the kind of storytelling the Star Wars franchise traditionally hits on but, again, nothing is confirmed.

Still, there are plenty of potential baddies in this movie, including Jabba the Hutt's incredibly buff son, Rotta. Two additional Hutts are also featured in the trailer, and there's a brief appearance by dangerous bounty hunter Embo. All this to say that Mando and Grogu might have their hands full but, based on their past adventures, I'm sure they can handle it.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to be released in theaters on May 22nd. I'm so excited to finally see this movie, and I'm hoping this won't be the last time we see the eponymous duo in a feature together.

Star Wars is one of the biggest franchises of all time, extending to both movies and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. While the galaxy far, far away hasn't been in theaters since The Rise of Skywalker's ending, that's going to change with the upcoming Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu. And the blockbuster's newest trailer seemingly put Baby Yoda in a major location: Dagobah. Let's break it all down.

What we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu has been limited, so this trailer offer some thrilling updated about what we'll see in Jon Favreau's movie. I was shocked that this new footage seemingly didn't include any tied to Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon, who is the primary antagonist of the TV show, instead introducing us to a variety of new players. But there are some big payoffs for folks who have spent years watching the Star Wars movies in order, including Grogu seemingly going to Dagobah. As we know, this is where Yoda spent his lie in exile, and eventually trained Luke Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back.

The possible Dagobah moment happens around the 01:17 mark, where Grogu can be seen walking with a stick and also meditating in a swamp that look a whole lot like the planet that was introduced in Empire. It also appears that he's there when a new alien asks the little guy if he's scared. If this ends up being the same planet, it would offer a thrilling connection to the Skywalker Saga, and could even open the door for a long-awaited appearance from Yoda's Force Ghost. We'll just have to see what Favreau has up his sleeve.

The Mandalorian and Grogu's first brief trailer was exciting, but this one offers much more footage for fans curious about what'll go down when the property goes from TV to the big screen. This new one shared much more content, but there are still lots of question about what's coming. And surprisingly, we haven't gotten any tie-ins to the show's villain yet: Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon.

Gideon has been arguably the main antagonist of The Mandalorian's first three seasons. He seemingly died a number of times, and always managed to somehow survive. And while it looked like he perished in Season 3's finale, I assumed he'd be back... especially since he uses cloning technology. But so far there's been no indication of the villain being included in the movie. At least, not yet. We also haven't seen Bo-Katan in the footage, so she presumably won't factor into the story.

All our questions will be revealed when The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22nd as part of the 2026 movie release list. Only time will tell how Jon Favreau brings the story to the big screen.

The 2026 movie schedule has a couple of big events on it, but the biggest, at least from one standpoint, has to be the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu. It’s the first Star Wars movie to be released in a theater in more than five years. Fans have many questions about just what will happen when the Disney+ series makes the jump to the big screen, and it’s starting to look like one thing the new flick may do is bring back a location from the best Star Wars movie ever.

The Mandalorian and Grogu got a Super Bowl commercial last weekend, and while there were a lot of strong feelings about it from fans, so many that Lucasfilm felt the need to comment, one of the most interesting things about it is that it included Tauntauns, the rideable creatures from Hoth seen in The Empire Strikes Back. Fans have wondered if the new movie might take the characters there, and that theory has been strengthened, and in my mind confirmed, by the unveiling of a brand new LEGO set.

Several new LEGO sets based on The Mandalorian and Grogu are being unveiled this weekend as part of the New York Toy Fair, but the one that caught my eye was this one, which shows the title characters in a snow-covered landscape fighting Stormtroopers that are dressed for the occasion. All of it looks very much like something out of The Empire Strikes Back.

The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer included a shot of AT-AT walkers falling off an icy ledge, and if Tauntauns are actually in the new movie, and not just the Super Bowl spot, then it’s a strong indication that the movie will go to Hoth (it seems unlikely that the same creatures evolved elsewhere in the galaxy). The fact that a toy is being made of this part of the film indicates it's a significant part of the story.

To be sure, nothing about the name of the set, which is officially called the Star Wars AT-RT Attack Toy Building Set, or its official description mentions Hoth specifically, so this could be another ice-covered world, Tatooine and Jakku are both desert worlds, after all. But when given the chance, The Mandalorian has always gone for the nostalgia sell. The series has spent an inordinate amount of time on Tatooine, so it would be fitting if the movie followed that up with Hoth.

The new LEGO set is just some of the merchandise dropping as part of Disney’s Blockbuster Season. The studio is putting a big marketing push behind The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, and the live-action Moana. There is sure to be even more cool stuff on the way for fans, and maybe some of it will give us additional insight into these films.

There are major movie franchises, and then there's Star Wars. Generations have been brought up by the galaxy far, far away, which has brought new projects to theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. There haven't been any Star Wars movies in theaters for years, but that'll change with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Director Jon Favreau recently spoke about the challenges of taking that story from TV to theaters, and some serious points were made.

What we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu is limited, but there's a ton of hype around the upcoming Star Wars movie. While speaking at the Star Wars: Most Wanted event (via ScreenRant) Favreau talked about the practical challenges of bringing his franchise to the big screen, saying:

Touche. Going from TV screens and smart devices to an IMAX screen is going to be a huge transition for Din Djarin and Grogu. And as such, Jon Favreau's movie had to step up its game visually, especially related to visual and special effects, as it has to be on the same level as previous Star Wars movies. Talk about pressure.

Star Wars has been missing from theaters since The Rise of Skywalker's ending, so that's also likely adding some stakes to the situation. Later in the same appearance, Jon Favreau spoke about another new challenge to The Mandalorian and Grogu: keeping people's attention for a full movie. In his words:

Honestly, I didn't even think about this. But this is going to be a huge adjustment for fans of the live-action Star Wars show. Not only is a movie going to be significantly longer, but fans are going to have to adjust the way they enjoy the adventure. That means to pausing, no bathroom breaks, and no scrolling on your phone. And Favreau wants to make sure the story is compelling enough to make that happen.

The Season 3 finale of The Mandalorian made some big changes, with Grogu now older, trained in The Force, and much more capable than when we met him years ago. And it should be fun to see where the beloved characters go in their movie debut.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 22nd as part of the 2026 movie release list. The movie's Super Bowl trailer was the subject of some backlash, so hopefully we're treated to more footage soon.

Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises of all time, with entire generations brought up on the galaxy far, far away. The property is always expanding, including shows that are available with a Disney+ subscription. That trend started with The Mandalorian, which will be pivoting to the big screen in the upcoming Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu. And while that movie's Super Bowl trailer got some backlash upon its release, it might have also confirmed a fan theory. Let's break it all down.

What we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu is limited, but it'll be the first Star Wars movie in theaters since The Rise of Skywalker's ending. The Super Bowl trailer was super brief, showing the two title characters riding a cart that's moving forward thanks to the help of some Tauntauns. And as such, fans think this might be a sly confirmation that the project will indeed bring the property back to the ice planet of Hoth.

Hoth was a major location in The Empire Strikes Back, widely considered one of the best movies in the entire Skywalker Saga. That's where the famous AT-AT battle occurs, and where Han splits open a Tauntaun in order to keep Luke warm and alive. So that creature's inclusion in the new teaser has fan convinced we're heading back to the frozen planet.

Obviously this is still just a theory at this point, but seems purposeful that the Mandalorian and Grogu clip would feature Tauntauns so prominently. Those monsters never got another live-action appearance after Empire Strikes Back, so the hardcore fandom was going to connect the dots. Let's just hope that Baby Yoda gets some winter gear to stay warm if he and Din Djarin do make their way to Hoth.

Star Wars fans are definitely curious to see how The Mandalorian and Grogu comes from the small to the silver screen, and how that format change might impact its storytelling. It seems like Jon Favreau's movie might wrap up the narrative of the beloved live-action series, especially as the studio decided to shoot a movie rather than working on a fourth season. And there are plenty of lingering questions about the story that folks are hoping to get closure on.

It's wild to think that it's been so many years since Star Wars was in theaters, but that's about to change. In addition to The Mandalorian and Grogu, Shawn Levy's Starfighter is also in the can and heading to the big screen. As for the new trilogy, it's unclear when we might actually see it begin shooting.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to be released on May 22nd as part of the 2026 movie release list. While the Super Bowl ad got some backlash, I assume we'll get more actual footage from the movie soon.

The Star Wars movies are pretty beloved, with generations growing up on the galaxy far, far away. In recent years we were also treated to a number of live-action shows, which are released for those with a Disney+ subscription. The first of these titles was The Mandalorian, which is going to the big screen with the upcoming Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu. That show was created by filmmaker Jon Favreau, who recently teased how Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin will be different when we see his story continue in theaters.

What we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu is limited, but fans are excited to see how the franchise goes from TV to film. The Mandalorian's Season 3 finale saw Din and Grogu get a happy ending, and in a conversation with Empire Favreau spoke about what comes next. In his words:

That's definitely intriguing. While Season 1 of The Mandalorian was captivating partly thanks to the title character's badass career as a bounty hunter, it sounds like we'll be seeing new colors from Pedro Pascal's character in the forthcoming movie. He's seemingly leaving that career behind to try and fight the the remnants of The Galactic Empire, including Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon. And I'm curious to see what Rebel heroes he might interact with in the forthcoming blockbuster.

While Moff Gideon seemingly died in Season 3, fans are still expecting him to return in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Cloning is on the table for the franchise, opening up the narrative doors. If not, it should be interesting to see who the movie's title characters end up fighting against as official "good guys."

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be the first Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker's ending, so the pressure is on. Later in the same interview, Jon Favreau went on to speak more about the story for his blockbuster, and the emphasis on its title characters. In his words:

While Season 2's finale saw Grogu leave to be trained by Luke Skywalker, we got to see him reunite with Din during the third season. And now that Baby Yoda is stronger in The Force and involved in the action, I can't wait to see the way the title characters of The Mandalorian and Grogu's relationship changes for the big screen.

All will be revealed when The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22nd as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now we can re-watch the hit TV show over on Disney+.

Katee Sackhoff is well known within the sci-fi/fantasy/superhero sphere, but not just for one particular character. For Battlestar Galactica fans, she may always be Kara "Starbuck" Thrace. For the Star Wars faithful, she's been playing Bo-Katan Kryze since before the character even emerged from animation to appear in live-action. Sackhoff even dabbled in the world of DC Comics adaptations as Amunet Black on The CW's The Flash. By this point in the 2025 TV schedule, fans have plenty of characters played by Sackhoff to choose from to pick a favorite.

The actress leaned into all those roles to celebrate Halloween this year, posting photos of all the times she wore clothes for work that could double as costumes fit for the spooky season. For me, she'll always be Starbuck first and foremost, so I had no idea just how many photos she'd be able to include! Take a look:

For anybody who wants to channel their inner Katee Sackhoff character for Halloween one of these years, some of the options are pretty elaborate, although her look for Longmire might not be too hard to recreate on short notice. The dress from Oculus might not be difficult to dupe, but the evil glowing eyes would be a little complicated.

Some other actors who have been all over the sci-fi sphere hit up her comment section to weigh in with some pretty endearing messages. Ming-Na Wen, another Mandalorian (and later Book of Boba Fett) alum, wrote in the comments:

Honestly, Ming-Na Wen is another actor who probably has a closet full of outfits worthy of Halloween, if she got take home her wardrobe for her Star Wars work and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Throw in a white coat and set of scrubs for longtime ER fans like me, and there are lots of options out of her list of credits. (Thankfully, she didn't end up quitting action roles despite being tempted.)

Star Trek legend Jonathan Frakes had a pitch for her that would lead to another outfit worthy of Halloween:

If anybody could arrange for a Star Trek gig, Jonathan Frakes would probably be the guy! Not only is he known for playing Commander Riker in The Next Generation, but he has directed episodes all across the franchise.

Fans also had comments on the photos, and I was surprised to see how much love Longmire got. I knew the show (which is available streaming now with a Paramount+ subscription) has its fair share of fans, but always assumed that she'd be most appreciated for her sci-fi work.

All in all, Katee Sackhoff found a fun way to wish a happy Halloween to her social media followers, and I'm guessing that there will be a fair number of people all over the country dressed like her various characters to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year.

Next summer, Star Wars fans will finally get something they’ve been waiting a surprisingly long time to see: a Star Wars movie on the big screen. The Mandalorian and Grogu will be the first theatrical Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker, and most fans do seem to be looking forward to it. There’s just one problem.

A post on the Star Wars subreddit recently blew up after one fan pointed out what they felt was the movie’s most glaring problem: the title. The OP claims that the trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu looks great, and they’re really excited to see the film, even if that doesn’t change the idea that the film has the “dumbest fucking title.” Of course, if Reddit is good for anything, it’s for pointing out that things can always be worse. Many hilarious comments have suggested “better” titles for the upcoming action-adventure, including:

• Yeah they should have made The Mandalorian Returns and The Mandalorian Forever first. - Jianyu156
• Can't wait for The Beskar Knight trilogy and Batmandalorian v Supermandalorian: Dawn of Bounties. - inglouriousSpeedster
• I'll be honest I'd be at a Thursday premiere of Luke Skywalker and Artoo. - wesweb
• The Adventures of The Mandalorian and Grogu and The No Good Very Bad Day. -[deleted account]
• Din and Grogu's Big Adventure would be really funny. - Bisonbear42

Some of these titles have me cracking up. The person making the Batman-related jokes is actually on to something. Part of the reason Batman & Robin works as a title is that everybody knows who those characters are. As popular as The Mandalorian is, he's not Batman, and I expect most people are still calling the kid Baby Yoda.

When compared to the other upcoming Star Wars movie, whose title we know, the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter, the title isn't particularly exciting, it has to be said. The other planned Star Wars movie, a new movie starring Daisy Ridley's Rey, is currently without a title, or even a final script as far as we know, but it won't be hard for it to do better than this.

It has to be said that The Mandalorian and Grogu is perhaps a blandly straightforward title for a Star Wars movie. As the OP suggested, calling the original movie Luke Skywalker and Artoo probably wouldn’t have gotten audiences nearly as excited back in 1977, even if one commenter swears he would have been in line to see it.

The title was almost certainly decided on as a reference to Lone Wolf and Cub, the Japanese franchise of manga and movies that was a clear inspiration for The Mandalorian. Both stories are about an adult who is skilled in combat, who watches over a small child who needs their protection.

Honestly, the most shocking thing about The Mandalorian and Grogu’s title is that it doesn’t actually include the franchise title anywhere. It’s not called Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu or The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Star Wars Story. That might still change before the film opens, and it’s not like people won’t know what franchise the movie is part of, but it’s also clearly an intentional decision.

I will certainly be looking forward to seeing The Mandalorian and Grogu, even if I also think the title is a little on the dull side.

The Star Wars franchise is finally returning to the big screen with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu on the 2026 movies schedule. The title protagonists will embark on a new quest that seems them crossing paths with characters like Sigourney Weaver’s Colonel Ward, leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers, and Jeremy Allen White’s swole Rotta the Hutt, son of the late Jabba. On the flip side, however, now we’ve learned that Katy O’Brian’s Elia Kane has been left out of the upcoming Star Wars movie, which just has hoping even more that The Mandalorian Season 4 happens someday.

O’Brian (who wants to team up with Dave Bautista) shared her lack of involvement in The Mandalorian & Grogu while discussing her 2025 movie release Queens of the Dead, which comes out later this month. When Polygon inquired with her about if she’s heard anything about reprising Elia Kane, the actress answered:

Elia Kane was introduced in The Mandalorian Season 2 as an Imperial communications officer serving under Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon. She was arrested alongside Gideon, then resurfaced in the Season 3 episode “The Convert,” where she befriended Dr. Penn Pershing on Coruscant. However, she ultimately betrayed him by turning him into the New Republic authorities, then secretly sabotaged his mind-wipe. She was still working for Gideon as an undercover operative within the New Republic’s amnesty program.

Moff Gideon died in The Mandalorian Season 3 finale when he was engulfed by flames during his battle with Bo-Katan Kryze, and his dormant clones were destroyed shortly beforehand. So Elia Kane is now without a boss. Will she start working under another Imperial officer? Unfortunately, we won’t learn the answer to that question in The Mandalorian & Grogu. So far the only Empire-related character who’s set to appear in the movie is Jonny Coyne’s unnamed Imperial Warlord.

So I’ll cross my fingers more tightly that The Mandalorian Season 4 moves forward at Disney+. Elia Kane is one of those lingering plot threads that deserves to be revisited. Plus, Katy O’Brian has become a bigger name since joining The Mandalorian, appearing in major motion pictures like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (which was a chaotic experience for her), Twisters and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. If Season 4 happens, we could see Elia take on a more important role in this particular saga set in a galaxy far, far away.

We’ll learn about more characters who will be present in The Mandalorian & Grogu as its May 22, 2026 release date inches closer. Meanwhile, in addition to Queens of the Dead, Katy O’Brian can be seen in the new film adaptation of The Running Man starting November 14.

Over four years after her firing from The Mandalorian — and the wrongful termination lawsuit against Disney that followed — Gina Carano is headed back to TV. Many are thrilled about this news, and that includes some of Carano’s former co-stars and other celebrities, as people including Meghan McCain and Deadpool actress Brianna Hildebrand took to social media to show their excitement and support for the actress.

Gina Carano will star in the Las Vegas-set Logan Reign, in which her character is a legal assistant by day, vigilante crime fighter by night. She seems excited for the opportunity to return to the small screen, saying she’s “bringing every ounce of who I am as an actress” to the project, and it sounds like others are just as pumped. Carano shared the casting announcement to Instagram, on which Meghan McCain commented:

The former co-host of The View wasn’t the only one excited to see Gina Carano’s next TV role following her portrayal of Cara Dune on the Star Wars series The Mandalorian (available to stream with a Disney+ subscription). Orange Is the New Black’s Taryn Manning also weighed in, writing:

Ming-Na Wen, who recurred on the first two seasons of the Pedro Pascal-led Star Wars series as Fennec Shand, added three applause emojis and a heart, while Gina Carano also received love from fellow Deadpool actress Brianna Hildebrand, who wrote:

There aren’t too many details available about Logan Reign yet, including which network or streaming service will house it, but don't expect it to make its premiere on the 2025 TV schedule. The series is being developed by Straightwire Entertainment Group, in a partnership with Get Out producers Yvette Yates Redick and Shaun Redick.

Gina Carano was fired from Disney and Lucasfilm in 2021 after social media activity that included claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, questioning COVID-19 protocols and comparing the political climate to Nazi Germany. The actress argued in her wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuit that her co-star Pedro Pascal did not face such consequences for his own political posts.

Disney and Lucasfilm settled the lawsuit with Gina Carano last month. Details of the agreement weren’t revealed, but it sounds like the door might be open for the actress to return in an upcoming Star Wars shows and movie, as a Disney spokesperson said in a statement afterward that they “look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.”

While Gina Carano was able to land a couple of movie roles after her 2021 firing, she has been open about struggling to find work, saying it was like she was “sitting here in a desert” all alone. We’ll have to see if she ever reprises her role as Cara Dune or finds another role within the House of Mouse. Until then, though, we’ll definitely have our eyes on The Mandalorian and Grogu movie that’s set for release on the 2026 movie calendar.

While Katee Sackhoff was certainly a well-known actor prior to 2020 thanks to Battlestar Galactica, Longmire, Riddick, 24 and various other projects, her profile definitely got a major boost from The Mandalorian. Following her animated outings as Bo-Katan Kryze in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, Sackhoff brought her Star Wars character to life in live-action in the Disney+ subscription-exclusive show’s second season, then returned for Season 3. In the midst of that though, there was something that triggered Sackhoff to lose “all” of her confidence and doubt her acting abilities.

The actress talked about this dark time in her life while she was chatting with her Battlestar Galactica co-star Tahmoh Penikett on The Sackhoff Show, where the two of them also reflected on how they were wrong to reject Edward James Olmos’ advice when they were younger. Sackhoff informed Penikett that she “just now figured out a process almost 30 years” into her acting career and hired an acting coach. When he asked her to elaborate, she started off by saying:

It’s one thing to voice a character across a handful of episodes of two animated TV shows (and later the anthology series Star Wars: Tales of the Empire), but playing Bo-Katan on camera marked a major turning point for Katee Sackhoff. More eyes were on her than ever, and while it may have looked on the outside like she was effectively playing the character, the experience was enough for her to start doubting herself because she wasn’t able to connect to Bo-Katan on a deeper level. Sackhoff continued:

Michael Trucco is another one of Katee Sackhoff’s Battlestar Galactica cohorts, and she and him have remained close since the show ended in 2009. That’s exemplified by how she was willing to be vulnerable in front of him about her acting struggles. She then told Tahmoh Penikett about how she was “scrambling” at this point because she “had no technique to fall back on,” which then led to a clash with her ex-manager:

From there, Katee Sackhoff hired a new manager, told him how she felt, and he set her up with an acting coach. That coach then told Sackhoff it wasn’t her goal to teach her out to act since she already knew how to do that, but just to get the Kara Thrace actress back in her “belly.” Evidently it worked, as Sackhoff sounds like she’s in a much more confident place. Otherwise, I doubt she would have discussed this subject while Tahmoh Penikett was appearing on her podcast.

That said, it’s unclear when we’ll see Katee Sackhoff reprise Bo-Katan Kryze again. Although The Mandalorian & Grogu comes out on May 22, 2026, but here’s been no mention of her being in the cast. Still, given both Sackhoff and Bo-Katan’s popularity, I have to think there’ll come a day when she returns to the Star Wars universe, even if it’s not necessarily tied to Din Djarin’s story.

One of the biggest events on the 2026 movie calendar has to be the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu. The film will mark the first big-screen Star Wars adventure since the release of The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, and after many false starts for the film side of the franchise, it looks like we’ll finally return to a steady stream of content with Star Wars: Starfighter and the new Daisy Ridley-led film seemingly moving forward.

Beyond the short term, little is known about what Lucasfilm is planning for Star Wars on the big screen. However, a new rumor claims that there’s a plan to put together several Star Wars movies into a new storyline that is taking inspiration from The Mandalorian. It’s an idea which is certainly intriguing, but one that I’m not convinced is the right way to go.

How The New Star Wars Movies Will Take Inspiration From The Mandalorian

The rumor comes from serial scooper Daniel Ritchman (via SFFGazette) a guy who, while he doesn’t have a perfect track record, has certainly been right in the past. According to him, the plan is for the Daisy Ridley-led film, which will see Rey as a Jedi Master, set approximately 15 years following the events of Rise of Skywalker, to be the first of a series of films set in the same period. Each one would introduce new characters and stories, which would ultimately lead to a major “event” film that would bring characters back from the past.

This sounds very similar to the upcoming Star Wars movie set to be directed by Dave Filoni that we know is coming. The Mandalorian launched a franchise on Disney+ that led to spinoffs, including The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. In addition to next year’s The Mandalorian & Grogu, we know there are plans for another movie that will act as a culmination of the “Mandoverse” that will see the heroes from all the various shows come together.

Star Wars’ Reported Plan Could Work, But I’m Not Convinced

Since it appears that all of the projects associated with this new part of the Star Wars franchise are being planned as big screen films, the idea seems like it might be more similar to Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe than it would be to The Mandalorian. That concept was absolutely successful, so it’s understandable why Star Wars might be eyeing such a thing.

However, while I’m not entirely against this as a concept, I am a bit concerned about such a plan being hammered out now, as there are a lot of reasons that it might not be the way to go. At least, not right now.

First off, even the MCU is currently struggling. It’s unclear if audiences are just done with the cinematic universe concept, or if there’s a specific problem with this universe, but considering that most attempts at serialized storytelling on the big screen have failed to do as well, there’s no guarantee that Star Wars fans, or movie fans in general, are looking for this.

Beyond that, Star Wars' track record on the big screen has been a problem. While all things seem to be moving in the right direction now, we’ve seen numerous planned Star Wars movies fall apart before they even made it in front of cameras. If that happens here, your major project could collapse, or at the very least, see such significant delays between chapters that the audience loses interest.

It also needs to be said that we have yet to see The Mandalorian & Grogu, or Dave Filoni’s big “Mandoverse” event movie. Especially given the state of theaters, we can’t guarantee those movies will be big successes. If they’re not, for whatever reason, then they clearly shouldn’t be used as models for other projects.

I’m excited to see the new Star Wars on the big screen, and anything that expands the galaxy far, far away in a way that introduces new stories, characters and worlds is ok with me. I’m not against building a cinematic universe (cinematic galaxy?), but I’m far from sure now is the right time to do it.

After playing Cara Dune for two seasons on the Disney+ subscription-exclusive The Mandalorian, Gina Carano was fired from the Star Wars TV show in 2021 over her controversial social media posts. This led to the actress filing a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm in February 2024, and today, that lawsuit has come to an end. Upon looking through the details of the settlement, however, there’s an intriguing detail that caught my eye and may pertain to the franchise set in a galaxy far, far away.

While Disney and Carano were set to go to trial over this matter in September, the Mouse House and the actress have reached a settlement in her favor. No specific details about the settlement were revealed, but according to a source who spoke with Deadline, Carano is “happy with how things were dealt with.” You read the full statements from both sides in the outlet’s writeup, with Carano’s including her expressing gratitude to Elon Musk for funding her lawsuit. But in the Disney statement about having “reached an agreement” with Carano, this sentence caught my eye:

This conclusion comes after Gina Carano scored a victory with her lawsuit when a judge required Disney to hand over key documents for the case. She was ousted from The Mandalorian mere months after Season 2 premiered following backlash over comments she made about COVID-19 protocols, making claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, and sharing a post that seemingly compared being a conservative in the United States to being present in the Holocaust. Several months after Carano filed the lawsuit, Disney responded by saying it “had a constitutional right to dissociate its own artistic message from Carano's outspoken 'political beliefs.’”

But now this legal drama is over, and the fact that Disney is entertaining the possibility of working with Gina Carano again is curious. What does the company mean by “identifying opportunities” with her in the near future? Is this an indication that Carano could return as Cara Dune in the Star Wars universe? Is there even a way she could be squeezed into the upcoming Star Wars movie The Mandalorian & Grogu?

Or do Disney and Lucasfilm still have no plans to bring Gina Carano back into the Star Wars franchise, and the former is merely suggesting that she could be considered for other Disney projects? Maybe I’m thinking too much about this, and ultimately Disney and Carano don’t collaborate again. Still, it feels like the door for a Cara Dune return is at least open now rather than being completely closed like it had been these last several years.

Needless to say we’ll let you know if it’s announced that Gina Carano will reprise Cara Dune. For now, be on the lookout for The Mandalorian & Grogu arriving May 26 on the 2026 movies calendar, as well as Ahoska Season 2’s premiere on Disney+ sometime that same year.

Pedro Pascal has it all. He has a hand in several major franchises (including the Star Wars saga with his lead role on The Mandalorian and HBO’s series adaptation of the video game, The Last of Us), a devoted fan base representing multiple generations, and some pretty epic lines of dialogue under his belt. Let’s take a dive into some of the coolest things the MCU’s Mr. Fantastic actor has said throughout his celebrated career.

"I Can Bring You In Warm, Or I Can Bring You In Cold" - The Mandalorian

I was immediately sold on Pedro Pascal's cosmic bounty hunter, Din Djarin, in the hit Disney+ original TV show, The Mandalorian, as soon as he uttered these chilling words to his bounty in the opening moments of the premiere episode of the Star Wars spinoff.

"Sometimes You Gotta Do Bad Things To Catch Bad People" - Narcos

Pedro Pascal starred in the fact-based Netflix original crime drama, Narcos, as DEA agent Javier Peña. With this quote, he. demonstrate the lengths that someone in law enforcement sometimes must go to in the effort of making an arrest, especially if the perpetrator is a criminal as notorious and untouchable as Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura).

"Because I Love You. In A Way You, You Can't Understand. Maybe You Never Will. But If That Day Should Come, If You Should Ever Have One Of Your Own, Well, Then, I Hope You Do A Little Better Than Me" - The Last Of Us

In one of the most heartbreaking episodes of The Last of Us, Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) finally reveals to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) that he saved her from the Fireflies because making a cure out of her immunity would have killed her. She finds this unforgivably selfish, but his explanation for why he chose her over the remaining human race, echoing something his father told him in his youth, hit me harder than nearly anything I have seen on the post-apocalyptic HBO series.

"After I Turn Sad, I Grow Angry" - Game Of Thrones

Widely considered to be Pedro Pascal's Hollywood breakthrough, including by the actor himself in a video for GQ, is when he joined the Game of Thrones cast as Oberyn Martell in the fantasy series' fourth season. The sharp-tongued prince is noted for having a complex range of emotions, as he sums up quite efficiently with this brief collection of words.

"My Son Don't Have ADD! He Just Like To Jump!" - Saturday Night Live

Pedro Pascal made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live in an episode that featured one of the most popular bits from the celebrated sketch comedy TV show's 48th season. In it, he plays the eponymous, Spanish-speaking "Protective Mom" of Louis (Marcello Hernandez), who does not approve of his new, white girlfriend, Britney (Chloe Fineman), and insists to her that her son does not need to take ADD medication.

"When You Grow Up Without Something You... End Up Spending A Lot Of Time Thinking About It" - The Wild Robot

Pedro Pascal lent his voice to the instant classic family film, The Wild Robot, in the heart-stealing role of Fink the Fox, who becomes an unlikely ally to the lost, A.I.-powered being, Roz (Lupita Nyong'o). In one scene, he explains to his new mechanical friend the concept of love, adding that he knows a lot about it because he never received it in his youth.

"I Cried Through The Entire Thing. It Made Me Want To Be A Better Man" - The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent

In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Pedro Pascal stars opposite Nicolas Cage, playing a wildly exaggerated version of himself, as the wealthy Javi Gutiérrez, who wants nothing more than to see the Face/Off star visit his home for his birthday. The Oscar winner and billionaire end up really hitting it off and bond over their love of movies like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Paddington 2, the latter of which Javi convinces Cage to watch by describing it as life-changing.

"I Don't Know If You Like Me Or If You Just Like The Places I Take You" - Materialists

In writer and director Seline Song's 2025 A24 movie, Materialists, Pedro Pascal stars as Harry, a wealthy New Yorker courting Dakota Johnson's matchmaker, Lucy, while uncertain if she reciprocates his affection.

"Life Is Good! But It Can Be Better" - Wonder Woman 1984

In Wonder Woman 1984, Pedro Pascal plays multi-millionaire and media mogul Maxwell Lord, who is constantly asked by those he meets to repeat his famous catchphrase, which he always happily obliges. Fun fact: Patty Jenkins' 2020 sequel marked the actor's second time starring in an adaptation of the DC comic after appearing in a failed pilot for a Wonder Woman TV series from the mid-2000s.

"This Is The Way" - The Mandalorian

As a fan of The Mandalorian, I never tire of hearing Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin utter what is not just a simple catchphrase, but an expression of his devotion to his creed.

"The Next Thing I Know, I'm FaceTiming With A Six-Year-Old Who Has No Idea Who I Am Because My Character Wears A Mask For The Entire Show" - Saturday Night Live

In the opening monologue of his SNL debut, Pedro Pascal described a time when a fan stopped him and asked if he could say hello to his son, who is a fan of The Mandalorian. Unfortunately, he did not have Din Djarin's helmet and armor with him, so the encounter, via video chat, was seemingly not quite what the child might have hoped for.

"Well, I Feel A Little Lightheaded. Maybe If You Give Me A 60-lb Pack And I Slung A Buddy Over My Shoulder, I Can Make It" - Brothers & Sisters

One of Pedro Pascal's early TV roles was a guest spot on ABC's Brothers & Sisters as a homeless former Marine named Zack. In addition to poverty, he is also struggling to reintegrate himself into society, which he cheekily hints at after paramedic and fellow war veteran Justin Walker (Dave Annable) asks if he can walk to the ambulance by himself.

"Years ago, You Asked Me What Two Men Could Do Living Together On A Ranch. I'll Answer You Now. They Can Look After One Another, Protect Each Other. They Can Keep Each Other Company" - Strange Way Of Life

Pedro Pascal is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and has even played a few members of the community, such as Silva in writer and director Pedro Almodóvar's 30-minute Western, Strange Way of Life. He portrays the role opposite Ethan Hawke as his former lover, Jake, to whom he provides a short, sweet summation of how a romantic relationship between two men is really no different from a relationship between a man and a woman.

"Wherever I Go, He Goes" - The Mandalorian

For all of its exciting action sequences and intriguing additions to Star Wars lore, the heart and soul of The Mandalorian and the one thing that keeps fans invested in the series is the impenetrable bond between Din Djarin and his foundling, Grogu, who was referred to as "Baby Yoda" early on.

"If You Love Someone, You Can Always See Their Face" - The Last Of Us

Some fans of The Last of Us believe that Joel goes too far in the Season 2 episode in which he kills the bitten Eugene (Joe Pantoliano), depriving him of the chance to see his wife once more, no matter how hard he pleads. I will give Pedro Pascal's character some credit, though, for the way he reminds the desperate man that he can still see Gail (Catherine O'Hara) right there and then if his love for her is strong enough.

"The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend, Until He Becomes My Enemy Again. When That Happens, God Help Them" - Narcos

Here, Pedro Pascal's Narcos character, Javier Peña, expresses his personal variation on a seminal Sanskrit saying.

"Why Do You Make Sparkly, Fast, Romantic Montages Of Me Every Single Day?" - Saturday Night Live

When Pedro Pascal made his SNL hosting debut, the show included a sketch poking fun at his reputation as "the internet's daddy." In the bit, he plays a teacher presenting a school assembly about the rules of technology use on campus, during which he takes the opportunity to address weird "fancams" his students have made of him on TikTok.

"I Like Those Odds" - The Mandalorian

This quote from The Mandalorian is iconic for a couple of different reasons. On one hand, it shows that Din Djarin is a warrior of calculated skill, and on the other, it is the inverse of one of the most famous quotes from Harrison Ford's Star Wars character, Han Solo, which is, "Never tell me the odds."

"Size Doesn't Matter When You're Flat On Your Back" - Game Of Thrones

While Oberyn Martell's unbridled confidence is one of the reasons Game of Thrones fans fell in love with Pedro Pascal's character, it would also seal his downfall as one of the last things he said to The Mountain before the behemoth (played by three different actors) savagely murdered the prince.

"Wizard" - The Book Of Boba Fett

In an episode of The Book of Boba Fett that could more accurately be described as a Mandalorian bonus episode, Din Djarin uses this positive slang term, originating from 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, to express his satisfaction with his new ship, an N-1 Starfighter built by Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris).

"If You Say 'Look For The Light,' I Will Break Your Jaw" - The Last Of Us

In the first episode of The Last Of Us, we learn the Fireflies' hopeful slogan, "When you're lost in the darkness, look for the light," which Joel Miller has no patience for at this time.

"You Can't Keep Your Own Office Going, But You're Going To Run Mine. Leave You Mess Here And Start A Whole New One" - Eddington

In one of the best scenes from writer and director Ari Aster's satirical COVID-19-era Western, Eddington, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), the mayor of the fictional eponymous town, confronts the local sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), about his recently announced mayoral campaign.

"What Good Is Being The King If Nobody Knows It?" - Narcos

With this Narcos quote, Pedro Pascal's Javier Peña points out a harsh truth that even the most powerful criminals are forced to contend with.

"It Is Rare To Meet A Lannister Who Shares My Enthusiasm For Dead Lannisters" - Game Of Thrones

This Game of Thrones quote is a testament to Oberyn Martell's passionately vengeful motivation against the Lannisters for the justice committed against his sister.

"I Don't Know. All I Know Is That When I Wake Up, I Know I've Lost Something" - The Last Of Us

No person goes a single night without dreaming, but not everybody remembers their dreams, despite still waking up with their emotional remnants. Joel Miller hints at being this kind of person in a The Last of Us episode in which his younger brother, Tommy (Gabriel Luna), asks what he dreams about. His answer also suggests that the tragic death of his daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), haunts his subconscious.

"Are You A Jedi?" - The Mandalorian

Din Djarin's response to meeting Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian has gone down in history as one of the series' most unintentionally hilarious lines.

"Storytelling Is Lying-Adjacent, And I Lie For A Living. Watch And Learn" - The Wild Robot

In The Wild Robot, Fink the Fox uses his talent for dishonesty to teach Roz how to tell Brightbill a bedtime story.

"I Have 34 First Cousins... I Know They're Proud Because They Give My Phone Number To Every Single Person They Meet" - Saturday Night Live

Pedro Pascal did not shy away from poking fun at his extensive family from his home country of Chile, adding that he gets calls and texts on a daily basis asking to wish fans a happy birthday, questions about Grogu, etc.

"I Feel Like A Tornado In A Trailer Park" - Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Even though this line from 2017's Kingsman: The Golden Circle is kinda lifted from Pixar's Cars, Pedro Pascal makes it his own with the way he delivers it as Southern-fried secret agent, Whiskey.

"There’s No Way Out, Carlitos. You’re Going To Disneyland" - Narcos

Something funny about this Javier Peña quote from Narcos that may or may not be intentional is that Pablo Escobar once perfectly blended in with the crowds at Walt Disney World while paying the theme park a visit with his family in the early 1980s, according to Newsweek.

"When It Comes To War, I Fight For Dorne. When It Comes To Love, I Don't Choose Sides" - Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones' Oberyn Martell is among the LGBTQIA+ characters whom Pedro Pascal has played. The character explains here that he feels romantic feelings for both men and women.

"Because He Was Outstanding In His Field" - The Last Of Us

One of the few comparatively lighthearted episodes from the first season of The Last of Us sees Ellie passing the time by reading from a book of childish puns. Here, Joel provides the punchline to the setup, "Why did the scarecrow get an award?"

Pedro Pascal’s role in the Star Wars universe is about to take a huge leap, as the 2026 movieThe Mandalorian and Grogu represents the return of his mostly masked marauder. That said, viewers may be surprised by the fact that one notable scene that took full emotional advantage of a helmet removal came from close collaboration between Pascal and The Mandalorian’s executive producer Jon Favreau.

Vanity Fair’s recent interview with the star of the upcoming Marvel movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps touched on a rather emotional touchstone from Season 2 of that Disney+ subscription driver. Taken from Din Djarin’s goodbye to little Grogu at the end of “Chapter 16: The Rescue,” that helmet reveal was apparently not planned for this installment.

Rather, it came out of a change up that took place between Pedro Pascal and the Star Wars co-mastermind, as described below:

I’ll put my Sabacc cards on the table here and admit that from this point on, I fell off of The Mandalorian. Bringing Luke Skywalker back wasn’t the best move, an opinion even some Star Wars fans share, and sending Grogu off to train with him was even worse. What I’ll also admit is that latter half was probably coming from an emotional place, as the journey in this Star Wars spinoff series had led its protagonists to what felt like a huge turning point.

Thinking about this scene without the helmet removal doesn’t make sense to me, and Pedro Pascal’s instincts were clearly feeling The Force of the show’s heartbeat. In further recalling how his collaboration with the executive producer/former MCU director folded that Mandalorian note further into how “The Rescue” worked, The Last of Us veteran also proved just how strong Jon Favreau’s read on the series, and his star, actually were:

Sometimes you evidently just need to listen to the moment, especially on the set of a major production like The Mandalorian. With that in mind, the message you need to hear can come from anyone on set, or even the surroundings themselves. Pedro Pascal has been on both sides of that concept, as seen in Walton Goggins’ grounded phone calls whenever his career felt like too much at times.

Those instincts will be on display yet again in the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is set to finally open in theaters on May 22, 2026. You won’t have to wait that long for your next Pascal-enhanced adventure, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps blasts off into theaters on July 25th.

The bond between a parent and their child (or even between a person and their surrogate parental figure) is one of the most complex relationships there is. Hollywood certainly understands this, based on how many amazing parent-child duos have graced both the big and small screen for decades. The following are some of the world’s favorites.

Don Vito And Michael Corleone (The Godfather)

The entire Godfather saga is a tale of one man's rise to power as the leader of a ruthless mafia family, but the first of Francis Ford Coppola's Best Picture Oscar winners based on Mario Puzo's novel is, essentially, a father-son story. Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) never wanted his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), to take his place in the family business, but Michael's decision to avenge his father's attempted murder himself is what places him on this dark path.

Lorelai And Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's hit dramedy Gilmore Girls was one of the first series to introduce the idea of a parent and their child also being each other's best friends. In fact, single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), whom Lorelai had when she was a teenager, consider themselves best friends first and a mother and daughter second.

Atticus And Scout Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird)

The American Film Institute named Southern attorney Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) from To Kill a Mockingbird cinema's all-time greatest hero for his refreshing empathy and undaunted sense of justice. What makes him a movie dad one would be proud to have is the way he passes his ideals onto his impressionable children, especially his daughter, Jean Louise, better known as "Scout" (Mary Badham), who bravely comes to her father's aid in his most challenging moments.

Fred And Lamont Sanford (Sanford & Son)

Not every person's relationship with their parent is perfect, and sometimes not even time can make it better. Take, for example, the bickering duo from the classic TV sitcom, Sanford & Son, in which the cantankerous Fred Sanford (Red Foxx) and his more conscientious son, Lamont (Demond Wilson), run a junk-dealing business together.

Anakin And Luke Skywalker (Return Of The Jedi)

There has never been a more awkward reunion between a parent and their long-lost child than in the beloved Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, when Darth Vader (née Anakin Skywalker), played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones, reveals to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) that he is his father. Luckily, at the end of Return of the Jedi, the Sith Lord comes to his son's rescue against Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), turning back to the light side of the Force before it is too late.

Jim Hopper And Eleven (Stranger Things)

More than the intense otherworldly phenomena like Demogorgons and Mind Flayers, what keeps fans invested in Stranger Things is the relationships between the characters, none of which are as strong and heartwarming as that of Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). The Hawkins Police Chief, who previously lost a daughter to cancer, secretly takes in the psychic child as his own at the beginning of Season 2 and becomes her legal guardian by its end.

Goofy And Max Goof (A Goofy Movie)

Despite its initially poor critical reception and dismal box office returns, A Goofy Movie is now regarded as one of the best Disney animated films of all time. The secret is the complicated, but ultimately charming, relationship between the classic, eponymous animated character (voiced by Bill Farmer) and his teen son, Max (Jason Marsden), who he takes on a road trip that changes their lives forever.

Sophia Petrillo And Dorothy Zbornak (The Golden Girls)

The main Golden Girls cast was made up of four older women sharing a house in Miami, namely Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McLanahan), and Dorothy's quick-witted mother, Sophia (Estelle Getty). Getty's Emmy-winning performance was so convincing, lending wonderfully to her and Dorothy's back-and-forth relationship, you would never guess the actor was actually one year younger than Arthur.

Dr. Henry Jones Sr. And Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)

Even if it is not the absolute best Indiana Jones movie (most would agree that honor belongs to Raiders of the Lost Ark), 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is easily the installment with the most heart. The key is seeing Harrison Ford's eponymous archaeologist team up with his estranged father, Dr. Henry Jones, Sr. (Sir Sean Connery), in a race against the Nazis to locate the Holy Grail.

Jack And Sydney Bristow (Alias)

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) may have had a difficult relationship with her estranged father, Jack (Victor Garber). However, they prove to be a great team in the business of espionage after she discovers that they are both double agents serving the CIA on creator J.J. Abrams' hit, action-packed drama, Alias.

Mufasa And Simba (The Lion King)

Disney's 1994 hit The Lion King would not be such a devastating tragedy if not for the powerful father-son relationship at its core. Young Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) falls under the impression that he caused the untimely death of his father, Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones), driving him to go into hiding and allow the true murderer, Scar (Jeremy Irons), to usurp the throne.

Endora And Samantha Stephens (Bewitched)

Bewitched exaggerated the common trope of the disapproving mother-in-law to uproarious, fantastic proportions by putting veteran witch Endora (Agnes Moorehead) at constant odds with her son-in-law, Darrin Stephens (Dick York and, later, Dick Sargent). Luckily, Darrin's wife and Endora's daughter, fellow spellcaster Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), managed to keep her mother in check, for the most part.

Ellen Ripley And Newt (Aliens)

It may seem like a bit of a cheat to include Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley and Newt (Carrie Henn, a child star who walked away from Hollywood after this role) from Aliens, as they are not biologically related or even bonded by law. However, through the survivor's fierce bid to protect the orphaned child from the Xenomorphs, she effectively becomes that little girl's mother by the end of that 1986 sci-fi movie classic.

Joseph And Murphy Cooper (Interstellar)

While Interstellar is certainly an intriguing space movie, Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi odyssey is an even more powerful father-daughter story. Forced to leave Earth to search for a more habitable alternative home, Joseph "Coop" Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) becomes estranged from his daughter, Murphy, or "Murph" for short (played at different ages by Mackenzie Foy, Jessica Chastain, and finally Ellen Burstyn), not only by miles but also by decades after traveling through a time-dilating black hole.

Man And Boy (The Road)

Director John Hillcoat's 2009 adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road is a brutal post-apocalyptic thriller about a man (played by Viggo Mortensen) and child (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) searching for sanctuary in a dystopian wasteland. However, by keeping the core duo nameless, the story of a father struggling to do what is best for his son despite insurmountable obstacles becomes a tale that any parent can identify with.

Georgia And Ginny Miller (Ginny & Georgia)

Netflix's Ginny & Georgia is a TV show often compared to Gilmore Girls for its plot involving a single mother (played by Brianne Howey) and her young adult daughter (played by Antonia Gentry) she had in her teens. However, creator Sarah Lampert's dramedy takes things in a much darker direction with distressing circumstances that tend to put the titular duo at odds with one another.

Marlin And Nemo (Finding Nemo)

The duo most people would more readily associate with Finding Nemo is the platonic pairing of Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). However, in the grand scheme of things, the Pixar movie favorite is really about the clownfish's search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould) and the youngster's determination to reunite with his father.

Din Djarin And Grogu (The Mandalorian)

Before The Mandalorian premiered, Star Wars fans did not know what to expect from the now-acclaimed Disney+ original TV show, other than an adventure following a tough galactic bounty hunter. The moment the series and the character of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) truly won over audiences was when the show exposed his soft spot as he defied his orders and became a surrogate father to an adorable, infantile Jedi eventually called Grogu (but initially referred to by fans as "Baby Yoda").

John And Ray Kinsella (Field Of Dreams)

Field of Dreams has been described as a classic baseball movie, a mystifying ghost story, and a profound, heartwarming fantasy, but that is the tip of the iceberg. In its purest, most essential form, the 1989 favorite is the story of a farmer named Ray (Kevin Costner) given the astonishing opportunity to reunite with his late father, John (Dwier Brown), for a game of catch.

M'Lynn Eatenton And Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Steel Magnolias)

The 1989 adaptation of Robert Harling's play, Steel Magnolias, is an ensemble piece following multiple, strong Louisiana women from various walks of life. However, the core storyline, and the most memorable, is that of Mary Lynn "M'Lynn" Eatenton (Sally Field), and her struggles to let go of her grown-up daughter, Shelby (Julia Roberts), when she gets married and to come to terms with the risks that come with her diabetic condition.

Frank And John Sullivan (Frequency)

One of the most unique time travel movies ever made is 1999's Frequency, starring Jim Caviezel as John Sullivan, a modern-day homicide detective inexplicably given the chance to speak to his long-dead father, Frank (played by Dennis Quaid), from 30 years in the past over HAM radio. However, when they accidentally alter the past in grim ways, they must work together to prevent a series of murders before they happen.

Bonnie And Christy Plunkett (Mom)

The hit CBS sitcom, Mom, stars Anna Faris as single mother Christy Plunkett, who has enough on her plate trying to raise two children, in addition to maintaining her sobriety. Not making things too much easier is her mother, Bonnie (Academy Award winner Allison Janney), who is a recovering alcoholic herself, but unlike her daughter, rarely holds back from speaking her mind.

Julius And David Levinson (Independence Day)

Director Roland Emmerich's sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day is an alien invasion movie and disaster thriller with a nearly unmatched sense of charm and heart. Much of that can be credited to the relationship between MIT grad David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) and his relationship with his father, Julius (a hilarious, scene-stealing Judd Hirsch).

Keith And Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Veronica Mars was a trailblazer for coming-of-age TV shows in the way it offered more subversive and grounded takes on inter-character relationships, such as the title character's bond with her single father, who is a private investigator. While Keith (Enrico Colantoni) can be a bit overprotective of Veronica (Kristen Bell), they share a bond that almost better resembles close friends, strengthened by their mutual passion for justice.

Hal And Oliver Fields (Beginners)

Some people go their entire lives never fully getting to know their parents for who they truly are, but Oliver Fields (Ewan McGregor) gets the chance before it is too late in the 2010 dramedy, Beginners. Oliver becomes inspired to pursue a more spirited life and romance with Anna (Mélanie Laurent) following his strengthened relationship with his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer in an Oscar-winning performance), who reveals that he is gay at 75 years old after the death of his wife.

Richard And Alexis Castle (Castle)

If Richard Castle's (Nathan Fillion) professional and, eventually, romantic relationship with Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is the lifeblood of ABC's zesty crime procedural, Castle, then the heart and soul is his relationship with his daughter. The novelist-turned-police consultant has been called reckless and immature by some, but the proof that he is an exceptional father lies in the teenage Alexis (Molly C. Quinn).

Carl And Bud Fox (Wall Street)

One of the most iconic instances of a parent and child acting alongside each other is Martin and Charlie Sheen in Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Carl Fox (Martin) and his son, Bud (Charlie), are divided by their employment status (Carl being blue collar and Bud being white collar) and an ethical disagreement that nearly severs their relationship forever, but ultimately remain united by their mutual love and admiration.

Rocky And Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)

No one made being a private investigator look cooler than James Garner as street-smart former convict Jim Rockford on The Rockford Files. Of course, the detective was lucky to be able to rely on his allies, the best being his own father, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford (Noah Beery Jr.).

Tess And Anna Coleman (Freaky Friday)

There may not be a parent-child duo on this list that understands each other better than Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) from Disney's 2003 adaptation of Mary Rodgers' novel, Freaky Friday. How so? The psychiatrist and the teen musician have literally spent a day in each other's shoes, thanks to a magical fortune cookie, in the beloved body swap movie.

Calum And Sophie Patterson (Aftersun)

Writer and director Charlotte Wells' Aftersun is a heart-wrenching, but great, A24 movie starring Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal as a man trying to do right by his young daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio), amid his struggles with depression and anxiety.

Max And Page Conners (Heartbreakers)

Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt star in Heartbreakers as a mother-daughter con artist duo. They specialize in cheating wealthy men out of their money by having Max (Weaver) marry the target, having Page (Hewitt) seduce them into being adulterous, and collecting the loot in the divorce settlement.

"Big" And "Little Edith" Bouvier Beale (Grey Gardens)

The acclaimed 1975 documentary Grey Gardens introduced the world to Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, "Little Edith," who are the cousins of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore gave acclaimed performances as the reclusive eccentrics in a dramatized adaptation of the doc made for HBO in 2009.

Ming-Na Wen is unquestionably a Disney MVP, most notably from voicing Mulan in various projects, as well as playing Melinda May in the MCU TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. And then, of course, Star Wars fans know her as Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and The Bad Batch, all of which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription. Ironically though, Wen’s mother gave a “condescending” reaction when she saw her playing Fennec for the first time, but what really cracks me up is the obscure movie of her daughter’s she did approve of after watching it.

How Ming-Na Wen’s Mother Reacted To The Mandalorian

The actress debuted as Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian Season 1 episode “The Gunslinger” and was initially depicted as an antagonist to Din Djarin, but later became one of his allies after her life was saved by Boba Fett. However, Wen recounted on Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum that her mother, Lin Chan Wen, was less than impressed with the role. As the ER recalled:

Ming-Na Wen then mentioned how her mother was well aware of how much of a Star Wars fan she was even before coming aboard The Mandalorian. Now granted, not everyone’s going to be a fan of the mythology set in a galaxy far, far away, which is fine since taste is subjective. But what really astounded the younger Wen was how her mother couldn’t even “fake” enjoying the Star Wars series. I guess discussing the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows with her is off the table.

The Obscure Movie Ming-Na Wen Did That Her Mother Loved

So what is more of Lin Chan Wen’s cup of tea from her daughter’s resume? That would be a direct-to-video movie from 2012 called Super Cyclone, which Ming-Na Wen didn’t sign onto for, shall we say, artistic reasons. She continued:

Like I said, taste is subjective, but the fact that Ming-Na Wen’s mother enjoyed watching Super Cyclone so much, yet got nothing out of The Mandalorian is hilarious. The 2012 movie can be streamed for free on platforms like Pluto TV, Tubi and Prime Video if you’d like to judge it for yourself. Ming-Na Wen might not approve of that so much for movie time, but hey, at least playing Dr. Jenna Sparks helped her out during a difficult period.

With The Book of Boba Fett not getting a second season and there being no indication that Fennec Shand will appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu next year, it’s hard to say when we’ll see Ming-Na Wen in the Star Wars universe. You can, however, see her starring opposite Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang in Karate Kid: Legends, now playing in theaters.

The Mandalorian Season 3 episode “The Pirate,” which you can revisit with a Disney+ subscription, saw Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze and the late Carl Weathers’ Greef Karga finally meeting. Bo-Katan, Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and the other Mandalorians from the Children of the Watch faction came to Karga’s aid and protected the people of Nevarro from invading pirates. In real life, as this episode of the Star Wars series was being shot, it turns out there was a moment when Weathers called Sackhoff “boring” to her face, though the actress explained why this ended up being a good thing in the long run.

Katee Sackhoff shared this memory while she was speaking with Brendan Wayne, one of the on-set doubles for Din Djarin on The Mandalorian, on The Sackhoff Show. But before you get concerned about Carl Weathers’ comment coming from a mean-spirited place, the Rocky actor only used the descriptor because he wanted Sackhoff to do more with her performance. As she recalled:

The actress who originally voiced Bo-Katan in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels added that Weathers, who’d been playing Greef Karga since The Mandalorian began in 2019, was referring “movement and the way that your voice moves.” By no means was he calling her boring for her personality, he just wanted her to go the extra mile while performing on set. Katee Sackhoff admitted that at the time, she was operating from the mindset of if there were any problems with her vocals during shooting, it could just be fixed later on during post-production when she came in for ADR.

But Weathers was insistent to Sackhoff that she give him wha he was “going to see in the booth” so that could inform his own performance. She acquiesced to his request, and it ended up improving their professional relationship. As Sackhoff put it:

Sadly, with Carl Weathers passing away on February 2, 2024 at the age of 76, we won’t get to see Greef Karga and Bo-Katan Kryze interact again. Still, for the short time they worked together, I’m glad Katee Sackhoff and Weathers stayed on good terms, with her calling him “behemoth of a man.” I also give props to The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau for assuring Sackhoff that she is by no means boring. We wouldn’t want that weighing on her mind.

Although it’s unclear if Bo-Katan Kryze will be back in The Mandalorian & Grogu next year, Katee Sackhoff assured ScreenRant last month that we “will see her again in some form.” While we wait for a specific update about that, there are plenty of other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows to be excited about.

In late 2019, the first live-action Star Wars TV show arrived in the form of The Mandalorian. It ushered in a wave of programming set in a galaxy far, far away that’s exclusively streamable with a Disney+ subscription, but the Pedro Pascal-led series is still arguably the most well-known of the bunch. After all, Din Djarin and Grogu are making the jump to the big screen in next year’s The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first upcoming Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker. However, one fan has made a critique about The Mandalorian that I’d never thought about, though I don’t agree with it… for the most part.

This take comes from X user @JacobYLow, who was responding to a post that share the top-rated episodes of Star Wars TV shows on IMDB. The Mandalorian’s “The Rescue,” i.e. the Season 2 finale, was tied with Andor’s “Who Are You?” with a 9.8 score, and the Andor episodes “Welcome to the Rebellion” and “One Way Out” followed with 9.7 and 9.5, respectively. Low described this ranking as “wild” and claimed that “almost all the problems with the Mandoverse can be traced” to “The Rescue,” saying:

Ok, I will agree that Luke Skywalker managing to find Moff Gideon’s ship was convoluted, even if it does just boil down to pinpointing Grogu’s location with the Force. However, it was established in “The Believer” that Din and Grogu had gone to Tython for the latter to find other Jedi on Ahsoka Tano’s suggestion. With Luke technically being the only Jedi around during this era (at least in title), it only made sense for him to show up, as he’d be the one training Grogu in his Jedi Academy.

Now, do I think it was annoying that The Book of Boba Fett almost immediately undid Grogu embarking on this Jedi path? Yes, I absolutely do, and it’s part of my larger issues with the miniseries turning into The Mandalorian Season 2.5. But going back strictly to The Mandalorian, I can’t fully get behind this next statement:

This is a bit of a stretch. Yes, The Mandalorian did have those ‘adventure of the week’ vibes in those first two seasons, and they felt stronger in Season 1. But Season 2 still had an overarching story before “The Return” aired. Din Djarin was traveling around the universe trying to find Grogu’s “people,” and that brought him into contact with characters like Boba Fett, Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. Luke Skywalker’s arrival in the Season 2 finale only added yet another connective thread between this show and the wider Star Wars universe.

So while I don’t think that “The Return” is on the same level of quality as the aforementioned Andor episodes, I’m not going to agree that Luke Skywalker’s appearance was what caused The Mandalorian to dip in quality. I still enjoyed Season 3 for the most part, and I’m looking forward to The Mandalorian & Grogu hitting theaters on May 22, 2026.

Fame is a strange thing. While some actors seem to become famous instantly, and many never reach a level of true “celebrity,” there are others who, after years of working and going largely unnoticed, finally break through to becoming household names. One actor who is currently experiencing fame on a whole new level is Walton Goggins.

Walton Goggins has been riding pretty high of late, but recently, with his role as the Ghoul in the massive Prime Video hit Fallout, followed by turns on The White Lotus and a final season of The Righteous Gemstones, Goggins is clearly riding quite high. Speaking with the Observer, it seems even he can’t believe he got to be part of The White Lotus. He said…

Goggins says he’s trying to “honor the moment, and not let his new found celebrity change him. On the plus side, it seems the actor has somebody he can talk to about his new position in Hollywood. Goggins says The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal, who has also seen his career transform over the last couple of years, is somebody he might confide in. Goggins explained…

One imagines Walton Goggins may have a lot of friends from outside Hollywood, who simply can’t relate to his recent experience. Even if he has other friends who are actors, many of them probably haven’t had a similar experience.

Pedro Pascal would be one man who absolutely understands what’s going on. Like Walton Goggins, the last couple of years have seen Pascal transform from “popular character actor” to “bona fide movie star” thanks to everything from The Mandalorian to The Last of Us and his role in the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. Pascal has spoken about the times he was broke and nearly gave up on acting. One can only imagine the sort of conversations these friends could have as they look back on the path their careers have taken.

Of course, now we all know what this means. We need a movie or TV series starring two good friends, and major stars, Walton Goggins and Pedro Pascal. The fans would go crazy, the two friends would love to work together. Even if it's just a quick video of Mando and Boyd Crowder in a duel.

How perfect is it that Sigourney Weaver is in The Mandalorian And Grogu movie? The 2026 release will be the first Star Wars film since The Rise of Skywalker, and when we got a first look during this past weekend’s Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan, we also learned more about Weaver’s new character through first footage and a short chat with Weaver herself. I especially loved hearing from the Alien icon about her lovely experience in a galaxy far, far away.

After we experienced Star Wars Celebration’s panel, which also included the surprise announcement Ryan Gosling will be in the next Star Wars movie after The Mandalorian And Grogu, Sigourney Weaver told us this about stepping onto Jon Favreau’s set:

Someone start blasting the cantina music from Star Wars, because it sounds like Weaver had an epic time in one of the galaxy’s bars during her time on The Mandalorian And Grogu. But as she shared with us, a scene where she’s interacting with an alien giving her a drink might have already been cut. Oh, how I wish I could have been a fly on the wall with Weaver on the set of the movie following her sweet descriptions of the whole experience.

As the actress shared, the set was full of crew members who have been working on Star Wars films and TV shows for years upon years, and it was such a joy to join the family. Weaver also offered insight into her character with these words:

In the footage we watched at Star Wars Celebration, Weaver seems to be in charge of Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu as they are sent on an important mission to save the galaxy. Weaver has previously gushed about working with Grogu, but it was especially interesting to hear from her what working with the puppet looked like on set. As she continued:

We're looking forward to learning more about Weaver’s character in the year leading up to The Mandalorian And Grogu's release on May 22, 2026. We still have yet to see what’s going on with Jeremy Allen White’s alleged character in the movie! You can keep track of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows here on CinemaBlend as we wait.

Next year is going to be big for Star Wars fans, as we’ll see the first Star Wars movie on the big screen in years. The upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu will bring the popular characters from Disney+ to theaters everywhere. There are certainly a lot of questions about what the new movie will have to offer, but one of the most important has to be:, just what will the popcorn bucket look like?

Ok, maybe that’s not the most important question, but judging by just how popular popcorn buckets have become in theaters of late, and how every major movie release gets at least one, there’s no question whatever that The Mandalorian and Grogu will have one. Speaking with Collider, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni said no decision has yet been made. However, I actually think it has, because Filoni has the perfect idea, saying…

I hope that whoever is responsible for making the Mandalorian and Grogu popcorn bucket is paying attention, because I can’t imagine a better idea than this one. Grogu’s anti-gravity pram is one of the most iconic images of the Disney+ series. Add to that the fact that Grogu eating or drinking literally anything is almost always a viral meme, and a popcorn bucket pram with Grogu inside it would be a thing of beauty.

So many of the novelty popcorn buckets are simply boring, being standard buckets with a cool picture on them, or impractical, with a design that makes getting the popcorn out and clearing it afterward difficult. Something that both looks cool sitting on a shelf and is instantly recognizable as being from the movie it’s referencing, while also being practical to use, is remarkably difficult to produce.

An idea like this one checks all the boxes nicely. The only reason I can conceive that an idea like this might not get approved is that it’s unclear if the pram in question is actually in the movie. When last we saw Grogu, he had seemingly traded in his floating bed to pilot the droid IG-88. One can imagine marketing people wanting to promote something that’s specifically in the new movie.

Considering that Dave Filoni isn’t just one of the screenwriters of the upcoming Star Wars movie, but is also the Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, he might have enough sway, if he chooses to use it, to make this popcorn bucket happen. While I’ve never purchased a popcorn bucket at a theater, and even my collection of Disneyland popcorn buckets is fairly limited, I might very well buy one for this movie if it’s the right one.

When CinemaBlend attended Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan over the weekend, we had the chance to see The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau unveil the first footage from the movie to a crowd of fans (which looked incredible). Immediately after, we got to chat with the filmmaker about making his first Star Wars movie, and how its 2026 release will mark a full circle moment for him, thanks to Avengers: Doomsday and Robert Downey Jr.

Since The Mandalorian and Grogu release date is over a year away, it probably hasn’t occurred to most that the Star Wars movie is coming out three weeks apart from Avengers: Doomsday. When I asked Favreau about this, here’s how he responded:

The Avengers: Doomsday release date is set for May 1, 2026, while The Mandalorian And Grogu is coming out on May 22. Considering Favreau helmed the first Iron Man movie with Robert Downey Jr, which effectively started the MCU, it’s kind of amazing that his first Star Wars movie will be sharing air with the return of RDJ.

Downey is set to star as the next big Avengers villain, Doctor Doom, alongside a huge cast, which was unveiled last month. This will be his first Marvel movie in years, as well as the first one where he won't be playing Iron Man.

Favreau has been at the forefront of big movie franchises multiple times now, not only through Iron Man, but through his live-action The Jungle Book movie, too. After being a huge part of The Mandalorian series for three seasons, he also talked about having the chance to make a bigger-scale story this time around. In his words:

Ever since this Star Wars TV show became a hit, we’ve been wondering whether The Mandalorian could become a movie, and via the footage we saw at Star Wars Celebration, the director is absolutely taking advantage of his “bigger canvas.”

The footage opened with an awesome fight sequence from Mando before showing all sorts of exciting nuggets from the movie, from tons of Grogu using the force moments, to Sigourney Weaver’s character, to the return of AT-AT to the big screen. As Favreau also shared with us:

Jon Favreau has a great track record of creating big-screen experiences for audiences, and The Mandalorian and Grogu will be no exception. While we wait for the release, you can check out other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows (and more exclusives from Star Wars Celebration) here on CinemaBlend.

We are here at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan to report live on all the big news on upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows coming out of the convention! We've so been looking forward to this after the event skipped a year following 2023's London celebration, and this one's poised to be epic! And the convention is kicking things off with a panel for The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, hitting theaters in summer 2026.

Going into the panel we knew writer/director Jon Favreau, writer Dave Filoni and "special guests" are set to grace this kick-off panel, but of course it exceeded our expectations with all of what came out of it. Here's what happened while we were there. (And check out what happened at the Lucasfilm Animation panel from Friday as well).

I am seated at the Makuhari Messe's Celebration Stage on this beautiful morning in Tokyo with the the warmth of ramen I had last night still soothing my soul. A ton of fans are already seated as a DJ hypes up the audiences.

I can't wait to learn about the first Star Wars movie since Rise of Skywalker! We've loved seeing The Mandalorian with our Disney+ subscription, but this going to be a whole new experience. Stay tuned as attendees continue to take their seats and the whole thing officially starts at the top of the hour...

OK, cell phones and a rainbow of lightsabers are up to the sound of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" blasting as we wait for the panel to begin. The host is getting everyone fist bumping and getting energized. It's almost time!!

The panel has opened with a clip of Princess Leia doing her "Only Hope" monologue as a montage plays featuring Luke, Mando, Rey, Ahsoka, Anakin Padmé, Cassian, Yoda, Darth Vader and such as our wristbands glow. Star Wars Celebration sure can hype up a crowd. I'm in my feels about Star Wars already.

R2D2 and C3PO are on stage, people! They've come to greet the crowd in Japanese and introduce Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy! The audience gave them a warm standing ovation before Kennedy thanked attendees for being the "best fans in the galaxy"!

Filoni also pointed out how Japan was of course a huge inspiration for George Lucas, making it the perfect setting for this year's celebration. This is the first time it's been in Japan since 2008 during the sixth celebration.

Kathleen Kennedy is now speaking to the "numerous" films Star Wars is working on, from Filoni, along with directors Simon Kinberg, Taika Waititi, James Mangold and more. But wait, now she's introducing Deadpool and Wolverine director (and future Star Wars filmmaker) Shawn Levy to the stage!! What a huge surprise. Looks like we're getting more than The Mandalorian And Grogu out of this panel.

Levy has announced they are shooting his Star Wars movie THIS FALL. He's calling it a "standalone adventure" that takes place a few years after the events of episode 9! The attendees reacted to that with a big "OHH" from the crowd. Here's one thing he said to the crowd:

"[Kathleen Kennedy] and I sort of talked for a while about, well, maybe there's a movie we could work on together. And I remember in August of 2022, I got a call that I'll never forget. Kathy said, let's do it. And so we started developing a movie and it was wide open as to what it would be."

It's definitely exciting to hear about the new era of Star Wars is well on its way to emerging after the franchise mostly taking place on Disney+ in recent years.

Levy mentioned that their have been rumors that Ryan Gosling is in his movie which first circulated in January. And low and behold: RYAN GOSLING is on stage! The actor received a standing ovation while wearing a "Never Tell Me The Odds" baseball cap. He also sweetly shared a photo from his mom of his Star Wars bedsheets from childhood that she somehow still has. Clearly the actor has been a longtime fan of the franchise.

Gosling says the movie is a "great story with original characters" and praises Levy, adding that he doesn't think there is "a more perfect filmmaker than Shawn." Levy also jumped in to clarify it's not a sequel and it will not be attached to the sequel films.

Now we have a title: Star Wars: Starfighter. And, it's coming to theaters on May 28, 2027. We got a first look at the logo at the panel. Here it is:

OK, after that bombshell... we're moving to The Mandalorian and Grogu with Jon Favreau now joining Kennedy and Filoni ton stage to talk about the 2026 release.

Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal are on stage now! Pascal shared that he's not at all surprised that The Mandalorian is such a hit. He knew it would be a big deal since he was first introduced to the TV show's storyboards.

The audience really embraced Weaver when she arrived, and she's really taken aback. There's a photo on the screen of her on set in a rebel pilot outfit and some droids. She said that while she hadn't seen the series while it was coming out, Favreau asked her to watch it and Grogu "stole" her heart.

Favreau brought on Grogu on stage next (yay, my wish came true!) Now that all the main stars are on stage (except for the rumored Jeremy Allen White), they are going to show first footage now.

The footage was KILLER! Favreau said they aren't quite ready to release a trailer yet, but that felt close to one. It started with an epic fight sequence with Mando in brand new all black armor before cutting to more scenes from the film.

Guys, there was much Grogu, be still my heart. In one moment Mando flew through the air with him in his arms and there was quite a few moments of him using the Force. Sigourney Weaver's character looks like she's not having any of Din Djarin's antics, calling his style "messy" in one scene before looking a bit bothered by Grogu in another. One standout element of it all was seeing the return of the AT-AT in a snowy scene. The movie is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026.

That's all for the panel. I'm running to a press line next with the cast, so stay tuned for exclusive interviews along with more panel live blogs with Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau and more to break down what we just saw.

Andor Season 2 is next on the slate of upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, arriving roughly two and a half years after Season 1’s critically acclaimed run. Andor was also the fourth live-action Star Wars TV show to premiere to Disney+ subscription-holders, with The Mandalorian kicking off this era back in 2019. Well, with just a couple weeks to go until Andor Season 2 premieres on the 2025 TV schedule, showrunner Tony Gilroy took some time to give The Mandalorian its flowers while discussing his own Star Wars series’ success.

While The Mandalorian and Andor are unquestionably quite different tonally, with the former appealing to the Star Wars franchise’s all-ages fanbase and the latter being geared towards older fans, Gilroy acknowledged to Empire that Andor wouldn’t exist had The Mandalorian not been so popular, saying:

Over five years later, I can still remember social media blowing up over the reveal of the character we now know as Grogu at the end of The Mandalorian’s first episode. Baby Yoda quickly became a pop culture sensation, and not only did two more seasons of The Mandalorian follow, we also have the movie The Mandalorian & Grogu to look forward to next year. Granted, Andor was already well into development before The Mandalorian premiered, but its strong start helped with boosting the Rogue One prequel’s chances of success.

During this interview, Tony Gilroy also mentioned that a series like Andor “will never happen again,” with The Mandalorian playing a role in guaranteeing this story following Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor came to life in the way that it did. As the showrunner put it:

Andor Season 1 took place five years before the events of Rogue One, chronicling how the title protagonist went from a cynical thief and scavenger to a Rebellion recruit. Season 2 covers the remaining four years leading up to the 2016 Star Wars movie, with three episodes being released weekly. Although Tony Gilroy initially conceived the show to run five seasons, he realized in the middle of shooting Season 1 that this wouldn’t be feasible for several reasons. So the two-season run was “born out of desperation,” and if Gilroy is indeed correct, we’ll never see a show like this in a galaxy far, far away again.

Andor Season 2’s first three episodes drop Tuesday, April 22 on Disney+, and The Mandalorian & Grogu follows on May 22, 2026. The only other live-action Star Wars TV show on the horizon is Ahsoka Season 2, but we’ll let you know here on CinemaBlend if that changes.

Fans have had to do a considerable amount of waiting when it comes to upcoming Star Wars movies but, at the very least, one will finally blast into theaters in 2026. I’m referring to The Mandalorian & Grogu, which will continue the story of Din Djarin and his surrogate son. Details on the movie are scarce at the moment, but what is known is that the legendary Sigourney Weaver is a member of the cast. She hasn’t revealed much about her role, but she did gush about getting to work with the one-and-only Grogu.

Since The Mandalorian debuted for Disney+ subscription holders in 2019, much of the Star Wars fanbase has been taken with the diminutive alien formerly known as Baby Yoda. That level of love extends to those privileged enough to work with the animatronic creation. Sigourney Weaver discussed her experience while chatting with our sister site, GamesRadar+. You may not be surprised to hear that she had a delightful time working with the “little badass”:

Can anyone really blame the Alien icon for joining the film simply because of the fan-favorite character? I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be a bit starstruck if I simply caught a quick glimpse of the adorable animatronic – let alone actually had an opportunity to share scenes with it as an actor. What the Oscar-nominated actress’ comments speak to is the notion that regardless of how long someone has been in the entertainment industry, they can still possess a sense of fun and child-like wonder.

As for me, I still “wonder” just who Sigourney Weaver is playing in this upcoming film. Unsurprisingly, she remained relatively tight-lipped about her character, who’s rumored to be a New Republic general. She did, however, provide a few non-spoilery details, and it sounds like she will have dealings with Mando:

When it comes to concrete pieces of information about The Mandalorian & Grogu, it’s been confirmed that Jon Favreau – who created the series on which the show is based – helmed it. He directed from a script he co-wrote with fellow producer Dave Filoni. As far as the cast goes, Pedro Pascal is back as Din Djarin, while Jonny Coyne is reprising his role as an Imperial Warlord from the series. Jeremy Allen White is also starring in the film and is apparently playing the role of Rotta the Hutt. On the other side of the equation, fan-favorite Boba Fett will not appear in the film, unfortunately.

Early teases of the film, however, have hinted at a big adventure for Din Djarin and Grogu – one that I’d hope is certainly worthy of telling on the big screen. After seeing Sigourney Weaver’s comments, I’m even more eager to get a glimpse of the film. I’m also looking forward to seeing Weaver and Grogu share the screen. Here’s hoping the two share some truly memorable moments.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to open in theaters on May 22, 2026. While you wait for it, stream all three seasons of its small-screen counterpart on Disney+, on which you can also check out the Star Wars movies in order.

Alright, we always end up loving the side characters. While they may technically be part of the main cast of movies and TV shows, they are not the main characters that we are all supposed to follow. And yet, somehow, we always end up liking them more than the person we are supposed to pick the most – and here are just some of the classics that I need to bring up.

Frozone (The Incredibles)

When it comes to the best Pixar movies, The Incredibles tops the list, but you want to know who’s even better than the titular family? Their best friend, Frozone, another superhero with ice powers. Granted, he only has a little bit of screen time in comparison to most, but it’s thanks to his hilarious nature, and Samuel L. Jackson’s excellent voice-acting that makes him a fan-favorite.

NoHo Hank (Barry)

I think there are a lot of characters in the Barry cast that you could like way more than Barry himself, but the best example is NoHo Hank. I wrote a whole article about why NoHo Hank became one of my favorite TV characters ever since I watched Barry, and I still think he’s utterly hilarious.

Megan (Bridesmaids)

The Bridesmaids cast is filled to the brim with comedic talent, but let’s be honest – when we think of Bridesmaids, we think of Melissa McCarthy, and when we think of her, we think of Megan, the character that made her famous. She’s hilarious, and because of her role, she earned an Academy Award nomination.

Mike (Breaking Bad)

The Breaking Bad cast is filled to the brim with characters that are morally grey in every sense of the word, but Mike is one of those that you can’t help but love way more than Walter. He’s calm under pressure, has this stoic thing going on about him, and has appeared in both the mainline series and Better Call Saul.

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Do I even need to say it? Zuko is the most-loved character in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Zuko’s character arc is one of the best on television, and I have always been a Zuko lover because of it. Heck, I’ll rewatch the show specifically for him, not really for Aang anymore.

Amy (Pitch Perfect)

Amy, otherwise known as Fat Amy, felt like she was going to be a punching bag in the first Pitch Perfect film, but she ended up becoming one of the best parts. Rebel Wilson’s iconic performance, the hilarious singer showcased someone who was unashamedly herself and spoke her mind, and we loved her for that.

Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

There are so many side characters where, at first, they look like they are the epitome of “jerk” or could probably beat you up. Rosa is definitely the latter, but she secretly has the biggest heart of gold, and out of everyone on the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she’s the person I connected to the most on the show.

Rizzo (Grease)

Grease is overrated, and I stand by that even now because I personally can’t stand Danny or Sandy. But you know who I can? Rizzo. She has depth, emotion, and the voice to match. Sure, the actress does not look like she belongs in high school, but who really does in this film?

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Obviously, I had to put Daryl Dixon on here. I’m pretty sure that he became the entire show once Rick left the series. He has his spinoff now called The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. There was a whole campaign that said “If Daryl Dies, We Riot.” Heck, the character wasn’t even part of the main cast in Season 1 until Norman Reedus turned him into the loveable redneck that we all know him as today.

Ian Malcolm (Jurassic Park)

Jurassic Park is a quintessential ‘90s film, but I’m going to be honest and say most of the characters in there, to me, are forgettable. You watch the movie for the fantastic dinosaurs and epic action. But you want to know who isn’t? Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum. But that’s not fair, because Jeff Goldblum makes every side character better than the main one.

Genie (Aladdin)

Arguably one of Robin Williams’ best movies, Aladdin is a great Disney princess flick, but every time I think of it, I think of the Genie. He’s hyper, hilarious, and a great friend to Aladdin, even when Aladdin treats him selfishly at one point. You can’t get enough of him.

Urkel (Family Matters)

There are certain iconic TV shows that you know about just from a particular character. Urkel is the definition of that with Family Matters. Sure, I loved the hilarious sitcom for years, but the first thing that comes to my mind whenever it pops up is Urkel’s famous catchphrase, “Did I do that?”

Emily (The Devil Wears Prada)

The Devil Wears Prada cast is filled to the absolute brim with stars, but when you watch it, it’s really Emily Blunt’s character, Emily, that steals the show and her absolute love of fashion and all things Miranda Priestly. It’s actually amazing to think back on this film because this is the movie that made Emily Blunt into a household name because of how amazing she was in this role.

Titus (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)

I will always love Titus in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. There was just something about this fabulous man that I could not get enough of, and I wanted so much more from him. I will never forgive Netflix for canceling this show. Titus Burgess (the actor behind the character) portrayed him so well, and I just need to see more.

Brienne Of Tarth (Game Of Thrones)

The Game of Thrones cast is ridiculously huge, so it’s almost impossible to pick side-characters that outshone the core six – Daenerys, Jon, Sansa, Tyrion, Jaime, and Cersei, because those were the ones we cared about. But in terms of side characters that surrounded their stories, there’s no one better than Brienne of Tarth. She was strong, fought for what she believed in, and arguably had one of the best endings out of everyone on this show.

O’Ren Ishii (Kill Bill)

I am an avid lover of Kill Bill because I adore watching women kick butt. If we’re being honest, I always rewatch the fight between Black Mamba and O’Ren Ishii. She is just so awesome, and her fighting style gives me chills every single time.

Troy And Abed (Community)

The Community cast is excellent, but let’s be honest here - Jeff, as a main character, is pretty boring, but it’s all the side characters around him that make him great, and Troy and Abed are the definition of that. Their friendship is iconic, but it wasn’t the same when Donald Glover left the series.

Dwight Schrute (The Office)

There are plenty of side characters in The Office that could make this list, but I think the biggest one is Dwight Schrute. The weird office worker had a certain charm about him that everyone loved—and I think it’s really in part to Rainn Wilson’s great performance of him.

Fonzie (Happy Days)

He is the definition of a side-character-turned-fan-favorite. He was a side character until fans ended up loving him so much that the show turned him into a main character for Happy Days. Granted, they ended up doing too much, and it ruined his character – hence the phrase, ‘jumping the shark’ was born – but still. It’s a great example.

Lisa (Girl, Interrupted)

Girl, Interrupted is a very serious movie that is tough to watch, but there’s no denying the excellent performances. Winona Ryder is terrific as the main character, but let’s be truthful here – Angelina Jolie as Lisa stole the show and then some. There’s no beating her.

Sam (The Lord Of The Rings)

While Frodo is the main character in The Lord of the Rings, everyone talks about Sam. He’s a great friend to Fordo, but he’s also kind, loyal, and utterly wholesome in comparison to everything else in the movies.

Bronn (Game Of Thrones)

There are so many side characters in Game of Thrones, but the one I have to point out that I love so much is Bronn. I feel like we always forget he’s there, but when he’s on screen, he just steals every scene he’s in. He’s hilarious, doesn’t hold back what he wants to say, and is a great fighter. You can’t help but love him.

Yelena (Black Widow)

Okay, so maybe this is a slight stretch, but I think when Black Widow came out, so many people had already moved past Natasha dying in Avengers: Endgame that it was hard to connect with her in this new film. But you want to know who people are really connected with? Yelena, Natasha’s adoptive sister, ended up becoming a tremendous character, and people wish to be back in the MCU. It catapulted Florence Pugh’s career.

Schmidt (New Girl)

The New Girl cast has so many great characters, but I’m going to be honest and say that Schmidt is undoubtedly my favorite. Jess is great and all but I don’t find myself laughing uncontrollably when she’s on-screen – I’m rooting for my man Schmidt and how he somehow comes up with the most hilarious moments that make me snicker.

Dionne (Clueless)

Clueless is a great ‘90s film, but Cher is one of those characters that you either love or hate because of how she acts. However, the one person I think we can all agree with is fantastic: Dionne, played by the impeccable Stacey Dash. She’s a fashionista who sticks by Cher’s side, and you have to respect that.

Grogu (The Mandalorian)

Alright, so I do love Din Djarin, and I will legit support anything that man does, but it wasn’t his face plastered everywhere after the first season of The Mandalorian – it was Grogu, who was first known as Baby Yoda. And, I mean, he is pretty cute, so I can’t really complain.

Darius (Atlanta)

Atlanta is a series that toed the line between drama and comedy during its four-season run, but one of the best characters that fit in with both of those was Darius. Played by Lakeith Stanfield, Darius is calm, if not a little weird, but does it so well and with a smooth nature.

Steve (Stranger Things)

It would be an absolute travesty if I did not include Steve Harrington on this list. He’s Steve—you know, the babysitter of all these kids, and will legit do anything to protect him? His character growth is impeccable, and I will stand by him until the end of this show. Joe Keery plays him so well.

Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)

There are so many side characters in anime in general that people love more than the main character, but my top pick has to go to Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan. If you know, you know. But if you don’t, he’s literally coined Humanity’s Strongest Soldier and proves it several times throughout the course of the series, and yet, behind his stoic nature, he is a good (if not morally grey) man. And fans eat that stuff up -- including myself.

Lexa (The 100)

As someone who was a devout fan of The 100 for many years, I don’t think any other side character came along that changed the game quite like Lexa did. Not only was she badass, but she ended up becoming a love interest for the main character, which spawned an entire shipping war, which was a time to be alive. She was only in this show for a few seasons, but she made her impact.

April Ludgate (Parks And Recreation)

The Parks and Recreation cast is hilarious in so many ways, but of course, I have to point out April Ludgate, played by the hysterical Aubrey Plaza. There was just something about her deadpan responses and the way she reacted to everything that made her the best character on this show. I would watch a whole spinoff of her.

Negan (The Walking Dead)

While Negan is no doubt a very complex villain-turned-antihero by the end of The Walking Dead, there is no denying that people loved him. I swear, fans were rooting for him to win in that war during Seasons 7 and 8, and honestly, I think it’s because Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrayed him so well. And he continues to do so in The Walking Dead: Dead City. You can’t beat Negan.

There are so many great side characters out there that I might have missed, but these are certainly my favorites. Now, we have to have a little marathon to enjoy all of them in their splendor once again.

When I first started re-watching The Mandalorian Season 1 with my Disney+ subscription, I had one goal in mind. Considering I was so obsessed with the reveals and ties to the Star Wars movies, I didn't know if there was more to the show than that and if it would hold up knowing everything that happens. I'm happy to say that five years later, it still does, and it made me appreciate Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin a lot more.

As conversation surrounds the future of upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, I think it's worth reminding readers preparing for new shows on the 2025 TV schedule that there's still great things from D television worth looking back on. So let's take a trip down memory lane and talk about the bounty hunter who has dominated franchise conversations the past few years and how much he's changed.

Din Is Not Nice In The Mandalorian Season 1

I once referred to Din Djarin as a "reluctant father figure" in an article comparing him to Joel from HBO's The Last of Us, and it's hilarious just how unsuited he is to caring for a child in The Mandalorian Season 1. From the first episode, it becomes remarkably clear that Din has few tools for solving problems if violence is not an option. He couldn't even negotiate with Jawas without busting out his flamethrower and threatening to burn them all for stealing his stuff.

Let's also not forget the opening scene, in which he ropes an escaping attacker and allows him to be cut in half by the closing door. I think what's most disturbing about it as well is that his penchant for violence is not exclusive to when he's carrying out a bounty hunting job. He was just raised by his fellow Mandalorians to be a killing machine that works in service of the remaining coven, in hopes they could one day reclaim the pride they had as a people on Mandalore.

It's jarringly different than the Din Djarin we've seen in his most recent appearances with Grogu. If you were to tell someone fresh off watching The Mandalorian Season 1 that these two characters would get a movie together, I'm sure they'd be interested, but confused about how much the little guy would factor into 2026's The Mandalorian and Grogu. Fortunately, future seasons and appearances have helped in further establishing these two as multi-dimensional characters worthy of their own feature, and not just shallow fun for Star Wars fans.

Din Is Woefully Incapable Of Caring For Grogu

When Din finally gets Grogu, I think it's remarkably clear from the jump that he's in no way fit to care for a child. In fact, he gets called out by mechanic Peli Motto for leaving The Child alone on the ship while he goes out on a mission. Even if Grogu, who we were calling Baby Yoda back then because we didn't know his name, is close to 50 in The Mandalorian, he could not hang out on the ship alone.

The only time we see Din connect with Grogu in a way that could hint at a deeper connection is when he screws off the ball on a lever in the Razor Crest and gifts it to The Child. It's a moment I admittedly wasn't paying a ton of attention to when I watched it way back mainly because I was still geeking out over the fact Moff Gideon had the Darksaber.

In hindsight, I can see that Din becoming a father figure to Grogu is one of the major stories of The Mandalorian. This is evident when he officially becomes a Foundling at the end of Season 3, but I think that, once again, we were more concerned about CGI fights and reveals more than the story being told. I think there's some shared blame here between viewers and the way Disney hypes its storytelling, but maybe that's something best tabled until it can be tackled in another story.

I Need To Give The Mandalorian Credit For Developing Din Djarin's Character More Than I Assumed

I think because Disney has conditioned me to be more on the lookout for unexpected cameos and other easter eggs in Marvel and Star Wars shows, I took for granted some of the strong storytelling that's happened over the course of The Mandalorian. At face value, this is a story ultimately meant to bridge the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and, I'm assuming, make more sense of Emperor Palpatine's return to power. As we've seen with many of these projects, they're ultimately meant to further service the movie side of things.

What I paid less attention to is that this is a story of a radicalized and sheltered individual slowly changing his whole worldview when the care of a child is thrust upon him. Slowly but surely, we see him change his thoughts on droids, the Rebel forces and even what it means to be a Mandalorian. Granted, we can't 100% attribute all of that to his relationship with Grogu, but it's played a big role.

It's a perspective that I'm glad I recognized ahead of The Mandalorian and Grogu. While I can't say with any certainty Din's evolution as a character will have some massive payoff in the movie, I feel relatively safe in predicting that if you watch Episode 1 of The Mandalorian before sitting down to watch this upcoming feature film, the difference in the character is going to be night and day. Now that I think more deeply about it, he might be in contention for one of the biggest evolutions in character arcs in Star Wars, though I don't think anyone is going to top the changes that Anakin Skywalker went through.

If you're curious enough to check out The Mandalorian Season 1 again, it's ready and waiting on Disney+ for anyone who wants to remember "The Way." CinemaBlend will continue to be on the lookout for updates on the upcoming movie with the Star Wars duo, which is expected to drop in May of 2026.

As one makes their way through the Star Wars movies in order and the accompanying TV shows, it’s easy to lose track of all the ways in which lead characters like Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Din Djarin and Ahsoka Tano, to name just a few, shine. But what about the side characters? What about the supporting players who get opportunities to step up big in a galaxy far, far away? Well, we’re here to go over a handful of such examples, although one important note, this list will only be covering the live-action Star Wars movies and TV shows.

Shmi Skywalker Allowed Anakin To Go With Qui-Gon

Shmi Skywalker could have refused Qui-Gon Jinn’s request to take Anakin away from Tatooine and be trained as a Jedi. However, she knew her son was destined for a life better being a slave, so she made the heartbreaking choice of letting him go. It’s just unfortunate that this decision led to the rise of the Empire and the destruction of the Jedi Order.

Carson Teva And Trapper Wolf Saved Din Djarin And Grogu

Din Djarin, Grogu and the Frog Lady would have been eaten by the spiders on that ice planet had New Republic pilots Carson Teva and Trapper Wolf not intervened. The two used the blaster rifles they carried aboard their X-Wings to kill the creatures. However, they weren’t feeling generous enough to help Djarin fix up the Razor Crest, as they’d already decided to drop the arrest warrant placed on him.

Clone Trooper Destroyed The Crab Droid

Unlike every other entry on this list, here we have a nameless character, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve recognition. During the Battle of Utapau, this clone trooper managed to get up close and kill one of the Separatist’s crab droids, which is hard enough for multiple clones to accomplish on a normal day. Then mere seconds later, this clone managed to destroy another one from afar.

Kino Loy Ignited Narkina 5 The Prison Uprising

After realizing that none of the prisoners on Narkina 5 would ever be freed, Kino Loy agreed to help Cassian Andor with instigating a breakout. After them and their allies made their way to the facility’s intercom system, Kino inspired the rest of the prisoners to rise up and escape. It was an inspiring moment tinged with tragedy since Kino couldn’t escape with everyone else since he couldn’t swim.

R2-D2 Smuggled The Death Star Plans Off The Tantive IV

When it became clear that Princess Leia wouldn’t be able to deliver the plans to the first Death Star to the Rebel Alliance, she entrusted R2-D2 with the plans, as well as a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi, so that Darth Vader wouldn’t obtain them. It paid off, as the astromech droid and C-3PO were able to flee from the captured Tantive IV on an escape pod, landed on Tatooine and eventually found Obi-Wan.

C-3PO Bailed Out Hera Syndulla On Behalf Of Leia

Hera Syndulla disobeyed orders when she traveled to Seatos with a squad of New Republic fighters to help out Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren. As a result, she was in danger of being court-martialed, but C-3PO arrived to bail her out of this situation to pass along “evidence” from Leia Organa that Hera was following her orders. The golden protocol droid’s timing could have used a little work, but better late than never.

Jar Jar Binks Advocated For The Chancellor Emergency Powers

Ok yeah, in hindsight this move spelled the beginning of the end for the Republic. However, if Jar Jar Binks hadn’t given that speech in favor of giving Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers, then the clone army would never have been into action and the Republic would have been overwhelmed by the Separatists. So in the short term, this was arguably a good move.

Migs Mayfeld Killed Valin Hess

Granted, this wasn’t the most strategically sound move considering that Migs Mayfield and Din Djarin were undercover at the Imperial facility on Morak to learn where Moff Gideo’s ship was. However, when Hess started bragging about the thousands that were killed during Operation Cinder, Migs had enough and shot his former superior. This action showed us how traumatized that conflicts left him.

Lando Calrissian Rescued Leia, Chewbacca And C-3PO

Although Lando Calrissian’s betrayal of Han Solo came from a place of wanting to protect his operation on Bespin, his lingering guilt coupled with Darth Vader continuing to change the conditions of their deal made him realize he’d made a mistake. So with the help of his security force, Lando rescued Leia, Chewbacca and C-3PO from the Imperials, though they were unfortunately too late to stop Boba Fett from taking the carbonite-frozen Han away.

Boba Fett Jumped Into Action On Tython

Before he took the lead in The Book of Boba Fett, Boba was a supporting character in The Mandalorian Season 2, and one of his best moments in the entire franchise came when he retrieved his armor from the Razor Crest on Tython. Mere moments after suiting back up for the first time in years, Boba wiped the floor with the stormtroopers in his vicinity.

Arvel Crynyd Flew Into The Super Star Destroyer

You may not know his name, but if you’ve seen Return of the Jedi, then you’re familiar with the Rebel pilot who brought down a Super Star Destroyer at the cost of his own life. After the Executor’s bridge deflector shield was destroyed, Arvel Crynyd steered his critically injured A-wing into a kamikaze run into the bridge, resulting in the ship colliding with the second Death Star.

Maarva Andor Inspires Rebellion With Her Posthumous Message

Maarva Andor spent her last days opposing the Imperial occupation on Ferrix, but even in death, she was able to inspire the masses. During her funeral ceremony, a hologram recording was played where she urged the people of Ferrix to rise up against the Empire. So what started out as an event to honor Maarva ended as a riot against this tyrannical force.

Paige Tico Opened The Bomb Hatch

During the evacuation of D’Qar, Poe Dameron organized an assault on a First Order Dreadnought that led to many Resistance casualties. This might have been a complete failure had Paige Tico not opened the hatch to drop her ship’s proton bombs onto the enemy vessel. Sadly, with the rest of her crew dead and their bomber badly damaged, there was no way for Paige to escape getting caught in the fire that engulfed the Dreadnought.

Bo-Katan Kryze Saved Din Djarin

Din Djarin was overwhelmed by some Alamites when he was exploring Mandalore to see if it was inhabitable. Luckily for him, Grogu was able to escape and make his way back to Kalevala, who was able to infer from the little guy that something was wrong. She went back to Mandalore and saved Din from his captors, which inadvertently paved the way for her getting the Darksaber again.

Wedge And Janson Took Down The AT-AT

Once Rogue Squadron learned that the AT-ATs’ armor was too strong for the snow speeders’ blasters during the Battle of Hoth, Luke Skywalker ordered his fellow pilots to use their harpoons and tow cables to bring these walkers down. The only duo that manages to accomplish this (at least onscreen) is Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson, who also fortunately both survive the conflict.

Tala Sacrifices Herself To Save The Path Refugees

When Darth Vader, Reva and their stormtrooper squad arrived at the Hidden Path facility on Jabiim, it didn’t take long for bodies to stop dropping. However, a lot more of these dissidents would have died had Tala Durith not sacrificed herself by detonating a thermal detonator as the Empire’s soldiers surrounded her. This explosive distraction allowed many of her allies to successfully flee the planet.

Sabé Served As Queen Amidala’s Decoy

For a decent chunk of The Phantom Menace, the Queen Amidala presented before the audience and characters like Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t the real deal, but rather the handmaiden known as Sabé (a role Keira Knightley can’t remember playing). She put her life on the line to keep Naboo’s ruler free from harm at key moments in Episode I, and her decoy act paid off one last time when it fooled Nute Gunray, allowing Padmé to take him captive.

IG-11 Self-Destructed To Save The Group

IG-11 started out wanting to kill the being known then as just The Child, but by the end of The Mandalorian Season 1, the droid sacrificed himself to save the little guy and those in his orbit. Grogu, Din, Cara Dune and Greef Karga were nearly ambushed by stormtroopers ready to open fire on the lava ferry they were aboard, but IG-11 went ahead and self-destructed himself to remove those adversaries from their path.

Galen Erso Hid A Weakness In The First Death Star

Galen Erso was one of the key architects in the construction of the first Death Star, but he also proved to be the catalyst of its destruction. Galen was the one who hid the exhaust port weakness inside the space station. If he hadn’t committed this act of secret defiance, one which ultimately cost him his life, then the Empire would have later wiped out Yavin IV and, with time, the entirety of the Rebellion.

Paz Vizsla Bought Time For His Fellow Mandalorians

Paz Vizsla spent most of his screen time clashing with Din Djarin, painting him in a somewhat antagonistic light. But as The Mandalorian Season 3 was wrapping up, the warrior died in a very sympathetic light, as he stayed behind to buy some time for his fellow Mandalorians by fighting off Moff Gideon’s Praetorians Guards on his own.

Yoda Rescued Obi-Wan Kenobi And Anakin Skywalker

In Attack of the Clones, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker weren’t strong enough to defeat Count Dooku on Geonosis. Fortunately, Yoda showed up moments later and he dueled his former apprentice (which made for one of the franchise’s best lightsaber battles) and probably would have won if given more time. The only reason Dooku managed to escape was because he tried to crush Anakin and Obi-Wan with some rubble, prompting Yoda to focus on saving them.

Kelleran Beq Saved Grogu

Up until The Mandalorian episode “The Founding,” we had no idea who Grogu, who’s approximately 50 years old, was able to escape the Jedi Purge. That episode finally provided the answer, as Kelleran Beq, the same character whom Ahmed Best played in Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, got him out of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during Order 66 and arranged for him to be taken off planet by members of Naboo’s Armed Forces.

Amilyn Holdo Made A Suicide Attack

Amilyn Hold ordered that the Resistance abandon their larger ships on smaller transport vessels when the First Order was pursuing them in The Last Jedi. However, because DJ learned about this plan and tipped off General Hux, each transport was picked off one by one. The only reason they all weren’t destroyed was because Holdo rammed her ship at hyperspace speed into Snoke’s flagship, a move that would come to be called the Holdo Maneuver.

Fennec Shand Killed The Sarlacc

After Boba Fett and Fennec Shand stole back the Slave I from what was once Jabba the Hutt’s palace, they embarked to the Sarlacc Pit to see if they could retrieve Boba’s armor. Well, needless to say that the creature did not like its personal space being invaded by the ship, but Fennec was able to save their lives by just barely triggering a seismic charge to drop in its mouth.

K-2SO Saved Jyn Erso And Cassian Andor

K-2SO was originally an Imperial enforcer droid, so it's fittingly ironic that he was destroyed while helping carry out one of the Rebellion's most important missions. The reprogrammed droid fought off stormtroopers and sacrificed himself so that Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor would have extra time to find the Death Star plans.

Jacen Syndulla Helped Rescue Ahsoka Tano

Like his father, Kanan Jarrus, before him, Jacen Syndulla is pretty Force sensitive. This was demonstrated when he was able to not only sense that Ahsoka Tano was still alive on Seatos, but direct the rescue party to her location once she was out of the World Between Worlds. Without him, it’s likely Hera and the others wouldn’t have been able to find her.

BB-8 Saved Finn And Rose Tico

After Snoke’s flagship was destroyed by Amilyn Holdo, chaos was rampant in the area where Finn, Rose and the other survivors were located. The Resistance protagonists tried to make a run for it, but they were soon cornered by Phasma and her remaining stormtroopers. Luckily, BB-8 commandeered a nearby walker and provided them with some cover fire.

Cobb Vanth Refused To Help Cad Bane

When Cad Bane showed up in Freetown to demand that the town remain neutral in Boba Fett’s upcoming war with the Pyke Syndicate, Cobb Vanth could have easily caved to his demand. However, with Boba being one of his allies, Cobb refused to bend and was gunned down in a standoff with a blue-skinned bounty hunter. Fortunately, he was later shown being healed in Boba’s bacta tank.

Chirrut Îmwe Activated The Communications Switch

During the mission to secure the Death Star plans from Scarif, the blind warrior Chirrut Îmwe pulled off a feat that few with eyesight would likely have been able to accomplish. Despite blaster bolts flying at him from every which way, Chirrut was able to find his way to a nearby console and activate the master switch that established communication with the Rebel fleet. Unfortunately, he was killed moments later.

Jecki Lon Engaged The Stranger Alone

As a Padawan, there was really no way that Jecki Lon was going to win in her lightsaber duel against The Stranger, a.k.a. Qimir, during The Acolyte. Still, the fact that she stayed alive as long as she did, held her own and even managed to damage his helmet before being sliced down was incredible.

General Hux Saved Finn, Poe And Chewbacca

Sometimes hate can forge unlikely alliances. Jealous and bitter at how he was being treated by Kylo Ren and Allegiant General Pryde, General Hux became a spy for the Resistance has part of an effort to undermine Ren and become the new Supreme Leader. Eventually he blew his cover to help Finn, Poe and Chewbacca escape the Star Destroyer they were on, and while Hux later tried to tell a cover story to preserve his position in The First Order, Pryde saw through the lie and shot him.

The Armorer Compromises To Unite All Mandalorians

As the leader of the Mandalorian sect known as The Children of the Watch, The Armorer promotes the ancient ways of Mandalore, particularly not removing their helmets in front of others, which mainstream Mandalorian culture has long since abandoned. However, in order to reunite all surviving Mandalorians under Bo-Katan Kryze, who’d inherited the Darksaber, The Armorer was willing to ally herself with those who didn’t fully align with her group’s beliefs, as evidenced when she interacted Bo-Katan to take her helmet off.

Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon has been one of the highlights of The Mandalorian on Disney+. The character was one that the actor was given almost complete freedom to create himself, That led to the fan-favorite actor him making one specific request of creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. And I have to say, he was so right to ask for this creative detail.

Speaking at Los Angeles Comic Con (via People), Giancarlo Esposito revealed that when he was first brought on the first Star Wars series on Disney+, Filoni and Favreau were still very tight-lipped about the show, meaning that he didn’t have a great deal of direction as far as how to portray his character. Esposito did his own research, which resulted in one particular request regarding Moff Gideon’s wardrobe. The actor said…

I think we can all agree this was an excellent decision. It’s difficult to walk around wearing a cape and not look, and feel, larger than life. Giancarlo Esposito clearly saw this. He knew the cape would impact the way he carried himself on screen, and that was what he wanted.

Moff Gideon is one of the last vestiges of the old Empire. He’s a man who used to be important but now finds himself in a world that has moved on without him. Gideon still sees himself as important and carries himself that way. He’s dedicated to bringing back a world in which the Empire and he himself are at the center. That cape coveys all of that in a single look.

The Boys actor says he did go back and watch other characters in Star Wars while looking for inspiration for his own. Specifically, he looked to Peter Cushing, who played the first Grand Moff character, and of course, Darth Vader. Perhaps it was the way that Vader carried himself with a cape that inspired Moff Gideon’s look. Esposito continued…

While Giancarlo Esposito doesn’t credit David Prowse, the actor inside the Darth Vader costume, it’s clearly the way he carried himself that inspired the actor and likely led to Moff Gideon’s look. Though sounding like James Earl Jones would certainly help with the overall feeling of power in the character.

Whether we’ll get to see Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian again is unclear. He appeared to have died at the end of Mando Season 3, but the man previously tried to clone himself, and the actor has made it clear he’d be more than happy to return for the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie that is set for release next year. Hopefully, we'll see the School Daze actor play this role -- cape and all again.

Check out Giancarlo Esposito's performances as Moff Gideon by streaming The Mandalorian's three seasons with a Disney+ subscription. is done with Star Wars as a franchise, he'll be plenty busy with another as he'll debut in the upcoming Marvel movie Captain America: Brave New World early next year.

For a long time, setting a tub by a big picture window gave bath lovers a chance to relax and soak in views, but thanks to a new celebrity trend, some baths are shifting away from the inside altogether. Now, Battlestar Galactica and The Mandalorian’s Katee Sackhoff is the latest to jump on the outdoor bath trend, and she’s cold as ice doing it. 

No literally. While celebrities such as Hayley Atwell have enjoyed an outdoor bath on their recent adventures, Katee Sackhoff’s goal was to have a cold plunge built for her new home so she could enjoy it anytime she wants. It makes a lot of sense to me, as Sackhoff is an action star, she’s specifically spoken out about the work it takes to stay in sci-fi shape, and she’s on the move as a mom a lot. Having that cold plunge downtime is likely crucial to being able to do all she does. 

It takes quite the steely disposition to jump into cold water like this, as celebrities like Kim Kardashian have realized in the past. (Seriously there's footage of her freaking out in an ice bath.)  In fact, I’d argue it’s less relaxing and more about enduring the experience, but regardless the cooler temps and the ice bath have become a big celebrity trend over the past few years. 

In Sackhoff’s case she said that she and her husband Robin Gadsby also opted to build in a sauna, and she said the decision was made for her “mom sanity and health.” Given the actress is an actress and mama who has spoken about the challenges of working and traveling with a child in tow, this whole thing checks out. It can be hard to carry through with a career at the same time as raising a family, and if a cold bath helps her keep her “sanity” and she has the means to do it, I think it’s a great idea. 

She’s obviously not the only celebrity who has touted the benefits of a cold bath. Michael B. Jordan's talked about the ice bath being a key component of his workout routine when he's gotten in shape for roles as varied as Creed and Black Panther. And plenty of other athletes and celebrities have given it a whirl, as Harry Styles, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga and many more have all touted the benefits. 

Honestly, what better way to combine two trends: the cold plunge with the outdoor bath? It's a genius idea, and I kind of wish I'd thought of it myself. Although I honestly don't know if I'd have the endurance to do it on the regular. I don't think anyone would argue I'm as brave or confident as Bo-Katan. 

It may seem that your favorite character from your favorite TV show was always part of the main cast, but that might not be the case. In fact, some of the most iconic TV characters were never meant to last more than one or two episodes until a behind-the-scenes decision changed their fate. The following are some famous examples that might have you looking at your favorite show's next guest star differently.

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)

It was not just three-time Emmy winner Aaron Paul's brilliant, empathetic performance as Jesse Pinkman that kept him in the Breaking Bad cast until the end. Creator Vince Gilligan had a pitch for the early demise of Walter White's (Bryan Cranston) student-turned-partner that shocked studio executives so deeply, that he scrapped the idea and, thankfully, kept the fan-favorite character alive.

Andy Dwyer (Parks And Recreation)

The lovably absent-minded Andy Dwyer was originally meant to appear in just six episodes from the first season of Parks and Recreation when he was still dating Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). Michael Schur found future blockbuster leading man Chris Pratt just too funny not to keep around, leading to his series regular promotion and Andy's eventual romance with April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza).

Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli (Happy Days)

The role that made Henry Winkler a star would eventually be the star of Happy Days. However, "Fonzy" was originally introduced as a small-sized character before the audience's rousing enthusiasm convinced producers to make his presence more frequent.

Frasier Crane (Cheers)

Kelsey Grammer's stint in the Cheers cast as Seattle-based psychiatrist Frasier Crane was originally meant to last only a few episodes. Yet, he became one of the NBC sitcom's most popular characters and went on to lead his own self-titled spin-off that was arguably as good as the original series.

Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Spike started out as just another vampire for Sarah Michelle Gellar's titular hero to fight when he was first introduced in the second season of Joss Whedon's hit series. However, his subsequent popularity would ensure that James Masters got a regular role in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast and even became a love interest for Buffy.

Chandler Bing And Phoebe Buffay (Friends)

Before Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were added to the Friends cast as Chandler and Phoebe, the sitcom was going to mainly focus on just four young New Yorkers. That was until the actors' natural charisma convinced creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman that they deserved starring roles instead of occasional appearances like they initially envisioned.

Carol Hathaway (ER)

If the pilot of ER were filmed exactly as it was originally written, it would been the first and last episode featuring Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies), who was initially going to take her own life. When test audiences made note of the nurse manager's chemistry with George Clooney as Doug Ross, the head writers kept her alive and on the show until Margulies left in Season 6.

Luke Danes (Gilmore Girls)

Diner owner Luke Danes was originally written as a woman, but creator Amy Sherman-Palladino did a gender swap when the network asked for more male characters. It was not until they noticed the chemistry between Gilmore Girls cast members Scott Patterson and Lauren Graham that their will-they-won't-they dynamic was incorporated into the dramedy.

Lafayette Reynolds (True Blood)

In only the second novel from Charlaine Harris' book series, The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Lafayette Reynolds is murdered. However, the psychic cook's onscreen counterpart (played by Nelsan Ellis) lived on in the HBO series adaptation (and one of the best horror TV shows on Max), True Blood, after developer Alan Ball realized how well the character fit in the world.

Castiel (Supernatural)

Played by Misha Collins (when possessing the body of Jimmy Novak), Castiel first appeared on Supernatural in Season 4 for what was intended to be just a three-season arc. Soon after, however, Collins was promoted to a series regular and the angel would remain a trusted ally to Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester.

Steve Urkel (Family Matters)

At first, ABC's spin-off of Perfect Strangers followed the lives of the Winslows, until the family sitcom's star family took a backseat to their nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. After Jaleel White's Season 1 guest spot rescued the show from cancellation, he made more appearances and was promoted to a series regular in the Family Matters cast in Season 2.

Andy Bernard (The Office)

Ed Helms' role as The Office character Andy Bernard was introduced in Season 3, which was initially conceived as his sole year on the mockumentary sitcom. However, creator Greg Daniels really liked the character and brought him back from anger management to be a permanent fixture of the Dunder Mifflin family.

Sgt. Fin Tutuola (Law & Order: SVU)

While most famous for a song about killing cops, rapper Ice-T's most famous acting role is, ironically, a police officer on Law & Order: SVU. Also ironic is the fact that Fin Tutuloa was originally conceived as a five-episode guest role in 2000, but would remain a regular part of the cast.

Jack Shephard (Lost)

Before Matthew Fox joined the Lost cast as Jack Shephard, the character was supposed to die in the pilot to establish that no character was safe in the survival drama. In fact, Michael Keaton signed on to play the role under this condition but dropped out when they decided to make him the lead because he did not want to commit to a series at the time.

Felicity Smoak (Arrow)

Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, Felicity Smoak was initially introduced in the first season of Arrow in a recurring role. Emily Bett Rickards would be promoted to series regular, however, when the role was promoted to Oliver Queen's primary love interest.

Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

A prime example of a character who underwent a major personality change is Steve Harrington (Joe Kerry), who was initially introduced in Stranger Things' first season as some archetypal '80s high school bully with an expiration date. However, fans' unexpectedly positive response, thankfully, led to the character's revamping and ensured Keery would be a valuable member of the Hawkins crew.

Boyd Crowder (Justified)

Watching U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) and career criminal Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) flip back and forth is one of the most addictive elements of Justified. Thus, we are thankful Boyd survived the pilot episode instead of being killed, like in Elmore Leonard's original short story, "Fire in the Hole," and that Goggins was promoted to series regular.

NoHo Hank (Barry)

Anthony Carrigan is easily one of the standouts of HBO's Barry cast for his performance as Chechen criminal NoHo Hank. It is no wonder his role expanded beyond Season 1 despite initial plans to kill him off.

The Armorer (The Mandalorian)

The Armorer (Emily Swallow) is one of the most fascinating and multi-layered characters from Disney+'s Star Wars Universe TV show, The Mandalorian. Her arc nearly ended with the first season in a scrapped scene that depicted her sacrificing her life.

Logan Roy (Succession)

No one could have succeeded in the role that Logan Roy played in HBO's Succession cast, but there could have been a major void left in his place had things gone as originally planned. Brian Cox's role was meant to die after Season 1, but instead survived and became one of the hit dramedy's most beloved characters.

Topanga Lawrence (Boy Meets World)

In creators Michael Jacobs and April Kelly's TGIF favorite, Topanga Lawrence was first introduced as that one weird girl in Cory Matthews' (Ben Savage) class. Soon enough, however, Danielle Fishel would be promoted to a series regular in the Boy Meets World cast after it was decided that the character would be Cory's love interest.

Gunther (Friends)

James Michael Tyler was merely hired on Friends as a background actor for scenes taking place at the Central Perk at first. In Season 2, however, the coffee shop manager was given the name Gunther, and the actor was promoted to a recurring supporting role that went on to appear in 185 episodes total.

Janitor (Scrubs)

The unnamed Janitor was originally conceived as a recurring role because it was going to be revealed at the end of Season 1 that he only existed in J.D.'s (Zach Braff) imagination. Creator Bill Lawrence decided to scrap that idea and make Neil Flynn a main part of the Scrubs cast after noticing the actor's improvisational skills, which ended beautifully for the character.

President Josiah Bartlet (The West Wing)

When Aaron Sorkin first conceived the idea for his Emmy-winning political drama, it was meant to focus primarily on the White House staff, with the President of the United States only showing up every so often or even not at all. Luckily, that changed and Martin Sheen's performance in NBC's The West Wing cast as Josiah Bartlet became one of the most beloved and inspiring highlights of the series.

Elijah Krantz (Girls)

Broadway theatre sensation Andrew Rannells first joined the cast of HBO's Girls as Hannah's formerly closeted college boyfriend Elijah Krantz in a very minor role before coming back occasionally during the first three years. By the dramedy's fourth season, creators Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner decided to add Rannells as a series regular and Elijah went on to become one of the series' most memorably funny characters.

April Ludgate (Parks And Recreation)

April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation is more than just a character who was not originally planned for a big role. There were no plans for her to be a part of the show at all until creator Michael Schur met Aubrey Plaza during the casting process and was so impressed with her talent that he invented a role just for her.

Aram Mojtabai (The Blacklist)

In the first season of NBC's The Blacklist, Aram Mojtabai was brought in by the FBI as a cyber crime consultant for what was only meant to be one episode. However, the writers responded well to actor Amir Arison's ad-libbing, started calling him back for more episodes, and made him a series regular in Season 2. 

Summer Roberts (The O.C.)

Rachel Bilson had very little screen time in the first episode of The O.C. and her character, Summer Robert, was practically written as an unnamed friend to Marrissa (Mischa Barton). Creator Josh Schwartz found the actor's grasp on the character to be very compelling and her chemistry with Seth actor Adam Brody led him to write her a much bigger part for the coming-of-age drama.

Joshua Rosza (The Originals)

Steven Krueger was first brought in for a minor recurring stint on The Originals as Joshua Rosza. However, by season 5, the vampire character became a regular role in the hit supernatural drama.

Killian Jones/Captain Hook (Once Upon A Time)

When ABC's fantasy series Once Upon a Time brought in Killian Jones (who is really Peter Pan's nemesis, Captain Hook), it was initially meant to be for a five-episode run in Season 2. While he quickly became a fan favorite due to his chemistry with Jennifer Morrison, his promotion to a regular role really came about when the cast and crew became deeply impressed with Colin O'Donoghue's performance.

Brittany S. Pierce (Glee)

Heather Morris was initially brought on to the Glee set to help teach the cast members how to do the dance from Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video before she ended up landing a guest role as Brittany Pierce. However, after he discovered her comedic talents, co-creator Ryan Murphy began giving the once-frequently silent cheerleader more things to say before making Morris a series regular.

Kima Greggs (The Wire)

While filming the first season of The Wire, Sonja Sohn discovered by accident that her arc as Shakima "Kima" Greggs was originally intended to end in the 10th episode of the crime drama. Luckily, HBO executive Carolyn Strauss expressed interest in the character, convincing showrunner David Simon to have her survive her planned shooting and come back for the remainder of the series.

There are few franchises quite as popular and beloved as Star Wars. While fans are still waiting for it to return to theaters with upcoming Star Wars movies, the franchise keeps expanding with live-action shows that are available with a Disney+ subscription. The Mandalorian was the first of these shows, and it'll be getting a movie adaptation directed by Jon Favreau. But will Giancarlo Esposito be back as Moff Gideon in that blockbuster? Here's the latest from the actor himself.

What we know about The Mandalorian and Grogu is slim, as the project is still very much in the development stage. Fans are eager to see the beloved characters go from TV to to the big screen, and how the story might be wrapped up. While in an interview with GQ, Esposito spoke about his possible future in the galaxy far, far away, offering:

Interesting. Esposito admitted that he hasn't been contacted by Favreau or Lucasfilm to reprise his role for the forthcoming Star Wars movie. But he seems to love his role as Gideon, and would be down to clown. Are you listening, Kathleen Kennedy?

A ton of Star Wars projects were announced in the years since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, many of which have since been scrapped. But it sounds like The Mando movie its actually happening, especially with the Jon Favreau behind the camera. It's just unclear what the story will be, especially as The Mandalorian Season 4 is expected to arrive before the property pivots to the big screen.

Of course, the biggest question surrounding if/when Giancarlo Esposito returns to Star Wars is whether or not a version of Moff Gideon is still alive. While he seemingly perished in The Mandalorian's Season 3 finale, it was also revealed that he was attempting to clone himself. In the same interview, the Breaking Bad actor addressed this question, offering:

There you have it. It sounds like Esposito thinks he was actually portraying a clone in the Season 3 finale, and that Moff Gideon might still be alive and well. This would certainly make sense, and would allow for a more epic conclusion when he once again battles Mando and Grogu. We'll just have to wait and see what Lucasfilm is cooking up for the beloved series.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 22nd, 2026, so fans are going to have to be patient. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates.

The notion of a TV show going through cast changes for one reason or another isn’t all that unusual. In some cases, an actor might choose to leave a show in order to pursue other opportunities. And, at other times, a character naturally runs their course and is written out, leading to a star being ushered out of a production gracefully. However, there have been a number of instances in which an actor has dramatically exited a popular show for more salacious reasons. And we’re going to talk about a number of those situations.

Mackenzie Phillips (One Day At A Time)

Mackenzie Phillips dealt with substance and alcohol abuse during her tenure on One Day at a Time. As her problems increased and she allegedly became erratic on set, the actress was fired after the fifth season of the Norman Lear-produced sitcom. After voluntarily receiving treatment, Philips was invited back to the series at the start of Season 7. But, as mentioned in her Biography special she was fired one more time early in Season 9.

Delta Burke (Designing Women)

Designing Women cast member Delta Burke, who played breakout character Suzanne Sugarbaker, left the beloved CBS comedy after its fifth season. At the time, Burke was having issues with series creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. While appearing on the Glamorous Trash podcast years later, Burke said she and the EP “tried to kill each other” but “survived.” They eventually patched things up and teamed up again for a short-lived spinoff series, Women of the House.

John Amos (Good Times) 

Fans, like myself, would probably argue that Good Times – one of the greatest sitcoms of all time – changed tremendously after John Amos’ James Evans Sr. was written out following Season 3. That creative decision was the result of Amos being incredibly vocal about his frustrations with the direction of the show and even threatening the writers. As the actor explained during an interview, series EP Norman Lear called him up personally to tell him he’d been fired. 

Rob Lowe (The West Wing)

Before he dazzled on Parks and Recreation and after rising to prominence as a “Brat Pack” member, Rob Lowe starred on The West Wing. The show was originally set to center around his character, Sam Seaborn, though the focus shifted early on. Feeling underutilized as time went on, Lowe left the show after four seasons.

Roseanne Barr (Roseanne)

Roseanne Barr’s eponymous ABC sitcom was revived for a tenth season that aired in 2018, and it saw considerable success. Following its renewal, Barr was fired after posting a tweet about former government official Valerie Janet that was condemned as being racist. Her dismissal led to the cancellation of Roseanne and the conception of a spinoff sequel series The Conners.

Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

Two actresses portrayed Vivian “Aunt Viv” Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the first being Janet Hubert. By the NBC sitcom’s third season, she and lead actor Will Smith began to butt heads. Both were also dealing with situations in their personal lives. Ultimately, Hubert left Fresh Prince due to getting an unsatisfactory new contract offer and, years later, she and Smith made amends during the show’s 2020 reunion.

Kevin Spacey (House Of Cards)

House of Cards experienced a significant shake-up after Kevin Spacey was accused of being inappropriate towards actor Anthony Rapp while he was still a minor. Netflix eventually cut ties with Spacey and, as a result, he was replaced as the lead of the show by co-star Robin Wright.

Charlie Sheen (Two And A Half Men)

When it comes to an exit from a TV series, few get more dramatic than Charlie Sheen’s departure from Two and a Half Men. During the eighth season of the hit CBS show, he made headlines for partaking in wild parties and even entered rehab. Sheen’s fate was sealed, however, when he made disparaging remarks about series co-creator Chuck Lorre. Men would continue for four more seasons, with Ashton Kutcher taking over as co-lead.

Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) 

There are a lot of moving parts to Katherine Heigl’s Grey’s Anatomy exit, but it was truly set in motion after the actress kept her name from Emmy consideration in 2008. Heigl did that because she didn’t think the work she’d done for that particular season was Emmy-worthy. In 2009, the Izzie Stevens actress accused series creator Shonda Rhimes and the producers of initiating long work hours for the cast and crew. And, in 2010, amid Season 6 of the drama series, Rhimes released Heigl from her contract early.

Valerie Harper (Valerie/Valerie’s Family/The Hogan Family)

Amid the second season of Valerie, lead actress Valerie Harper became engaged in a salary dispute with both NBC and production company Lorimar. It was after that season that the Emmy winner was fired, and she ultimately sued both of the aforementioned companies for breach of contract. The series aired for four more seasons – and had two more names. But, ultimately, Harper won her case and was awarded $1.4 million and future show profits.

Robert Downey Jr. (Ally McBeal)

Robert Downey Jr. had experienced a number of personal issues by the time he was cast for Season 4 of Ally McBeal, and they continued throughout his tenure. During that season, he was arrested in November 2000 for drug possession and was taken into custody again under suspicion of being under the influence in Culver City in 2001. With that, Downey was fired from McBeal.

Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)

In 2017, amid the MeToo Movement, Jeffrey Tambor was accused of inappropriate behavior by his former assistant. Shortly after, one of Tambor’s Transparent co-stars accused him of misconduct as well. Amazon, which had renewed the Emmy-winning dramedy for a fifth and final season, officially fired Tambor in early 2018. His character, who was the lead, was ultimately killed off in the musical series finale special.

Esther Rolle (Good Times)

Esther Rolle took issue with some of the creative decisions made on Good Times, not unlike her co-star, John Amos – who was fired after Season 3 even though Rolle was more publicly vocal about her disdain. Given her discomfort, Rolle left after the fourth season when her contract expired. She did, however, return as a main cast member for the sixth and final season. 

Suzanne Somers (Three’s Company)

Some TV devotees may not be aware that Suzanne Somers exited Three’s Company after five seasons due to a salary dispute with ABC’s execs. Her attempts to renegotiate a new deal proved to be unsuccessful, and her contract was not renewed. Throughout the remainder of the show's run, Somers' Chrissy Snow would be succeeded by two other characters.

Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill)

Many were likely surprised when Chad Michael Murray was one of two major stars to exit One Tree Hill ahead of its seventh season. At this point, there’s been no clear reason as to why Murray, who played Lucas Scott parted ways with the show. Some contend that he was ready to leave, but Murray was even recorded saying that the network wanted to drop him to save money.

Lori Loughlin (Fuller House)

Veteran actress Lori Loughlin was starring on Netflix’s Fuller House when she was indicted as part of the 2019 college admissions scandal. In 2020, Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and was sentenced to two months in prison. Given her legal woes, Loughlin’s Aunt Becky was excluded from the sitcom’s final season.

Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy)

It was in October 2006 that Isaiah Washington made headlines after it was reported that during an on-set conflict with Patrick Dempsey, he insulted their fellow Grey’s Anatomy co-star, T.R. Knight, with a homophobic slur. Washington reportedly issued an apology though, by the summer of 2007, his contract with ABC was eliminated after Season 3. Washington did, however, reprise the role for a Season 10 episode.

Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds)

Criminal Minds fired Thomas Gibson amid production on Season 12. As has been reported, Gibson, who was directing an episode at the time, had a disagreement with the episode’s writer. The scribe was on set at the time and, during an encounter with Gibson, the actor apparently kicked him. Gibson subsequently expressed regret over his actions.

Shannen Doherty (Charmed)

Few TV deaths were more tragic than that of Shannen Doherty’s Prue Halliwell during Charmed’s third season finale. In the years since she departed the show, Doherty has claimed that her on-set tension with co-star Alyssa Milano caused her to be let go. For her part, Milano said she was “sad” that Doherty blamed her for how everything panned out.

Danny Masterson (The Ranch)

While starring on Netflix’s The Ranch, Danny Masterson was investigated by police due to allegations of assault by multiple women. Masterson was soon fired from the series amid production on Season 3 and, in 2023, he was sentenced to prison.

Ruby Rose (Batwoman)

After leading Batwoman for just one season, Ruby Rose exited the Arrowverse show in 2020. The actress initially attributed her decision to the “taxing” nature of heading up a TV show as well as an allergic reaction to the latex in her costume. However, Rose later made claims of an abusive workplace against her ex-co-stars, The CW and more. Warner Bros. TV denied the allegations as did Rose’s former scene partners.

Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley)

Laverne & Shirley lost co-lead Cindy Williams early into the show’s eighth and final season. Williams became pregnant early into production and, as she explained to Today, she wouldn’t sign a new contract due to the producers having her work on her due date. So Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio finished out those last episodes without Williams’ Shirley Feeney.

Chevy Chase (Community)

It’s been well documented that Community’s Chevy Chase had creative differences with series creator Dan Harmon over his character, Pierce Hawthorne. While working on Season 4, the veteran funnyman reportedly had an on-set tirade during which he dropped the N-word. Chase departed the show shortly after that.

Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-0)

Daniel Dae Kim’s exit from CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot after seven seasons came down to a salary dispute with the network. After the news of his departure was reported, Kim himself (who was one of the procedural’s most recognizable stars) addressed the situation, confirming that he and the network couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal.

Lisa Bonet (A Different World)

Cosby Show spinoff A Different World finished its first season on NBC in early 1988 and, afterward, lead actress Lisa Bonet announced her pregnancy with then-husband Lenny Kravitz. The sitcom’s incoming showrunner, Debbie Allen, wanted to keep Bonet on the show and depict her character, Denise Huxtable, as a single mom. But, as Allen explained years later, series creator Bill Cosby preferred that Bonet be dropped from the show.

Columbus Short (Scandal)

After three seasons on ABC’s Scandal, Columbus Short was removed from the cast of the hit drama series. It was during that time that the actor was dealing with personal issues and was even arrested on a domestic violence charge. Short later explained that he was cut due to his struggles with drugs and alcohol.

Gina Carano (The Mandalorian)

MMA fighter-turned-actress Gina Carano established a polarizing social media presence during her two-season stint on The Mandalorian. Among the controversial posts she shared was a message that seemingly compared being a modern-day conservative to being a Jewish person during the Holocaust. Disney and Lucasfilm fired Carano in 2021 ahead of the highly popular Star Wars show’s third season.

Nicollette Sheridan (Desperate Housewives)

Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan was written out of the show after the show’s fifth season, with her character, Edie Britt, being killed off. Several years later, the actress filed suit against Marc Cherry, the show’s creator and ABC. Sheridan alleged that Cherry assaulted her on the set and that she was fired for reporting it. Cherry provided an account of events and, in time, the harassment claims were thrown and Sheridan was unsuccessful in getting a retrial.

T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy)

In 2009, T.R. Knight – who played Dr. George O’Malley on Grey’s Anatomy – left the show after the fifth season. Knight said his reason for leaving was due to a “breakdown of communication” with series EP Shonda Rhimes, his own decision to come out as gay and more. This also all came a few years after Knight was allegedly insulted with a homophobic slur by ex-co-star Isaiah Washington. 

Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill)

Much has been said about Hilarie Burton’s exit from One Tree Hill after the sixth season. The most common assertion has been that the Peyton Sawyer actress couldn’t agree with the network on a new deal. Interestingly, while Burton recalled filming her final scene for the show, she noted that while shooting another sequence, a producer announced on set that the show was renewed for Season 7. However, both Burton and co-star Chad Michael Muray were surprised as they apparently hadn’t been offered new deals.

Justin Roiland (Rick And Morty)

Rick and Morty actor and co-creator Justin Roiland was fired from the Adult Swim show in 2023 after it was revealed that he was facing a domestic violence charge and other offenses in court. Roiland’s case was eventually thrown out later that year. However, the animator and voice actor was later accused of assault and messaging underage girls.

John Rhys-Davies (Sliders)

The sci-fi cult classic Sliders lost cast member John Rhys-Davies when the actor opted to depart after three seasons amid other cast changes. Sometime later, Rhys-Davies explained that he left due to conflicts with the writers. The veteran actor later explained that by the time he left the show, the scripts had become “incomprehensible gibberish.”