Disney and Lucasfilm have unveiled the latest trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, the first new Star Wars cinematic release since Rise of Skywalker premiered in 2019. This upcoming film, featuring Martin Scorsese providing the voice for an alien character, continues the saga with action, sci-fi elements, and a host of familiar faces from the Star Wars universe.
Set to debut in theaters on May 22, The Mandalorian and Grogu stars Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, the iconic bounty hunter, alongside Grogu, popularly known as Baby Yoda. The story unfolds after the original trilogy and events in the Mandalorian TV series, focusing on the remaining forces of the Empire attempting to dismantle the New Republic. The film promises to explore deeper mysteries surrounding Grogu’s species as well as resolving several unfinished plotlines.
Martin Scorsese Stars as a Shopkeeper Alien in the Trailer
The trailer reveals a surprising cameo: Martin Scorsese lends his voice to a shopkeeper alien who appears briefly at the beginning. When questioned about a Hutt, this character shows signs of nervousness, voiced by Scorsese himself, the legendary director known for Goodfellas and The Wolf of Wall Street. Disney officially confirmed Scorsese’s involvement with Polygon. This unexpected casting sparks curiosity about audiences’ reactions, especially considering Scorsese’s previous public criticisms of major blockbuster franchises.
Returning Characters and Classic Alien Species Add Depth
The trailer is filled with a variety of inventive and quirky alien creatures that fans will appreciate. One standout is the Mantellian Savrip, a monster first introduced as a holographic chess piece in the original Star Wars film and now seen in full form during a confrontation in a city scene. Additionally, beloved characters from the extended animated universe, such as Embo—a bounty hunter from the Clone Wars series—and Zeb from Star Wars Rebels, both make cameo appearances. Zeb had already transitioned to live action in the original Mandalorian show on Disney+.
The Film’s Role in the Star Wars Continuity
The Mandalorian and Grogu is poised to function as a major cinematic event for Star Wars, tying together elements from various narratives and characters. It will explore the aftermath of the collapse of the Empire and the rise of the New Republic, continuing a storyline that has evolved across multiple mediums. The film’s release marks an important moment, as the franchise returns to theaters with a significant budget and ambitions after several years without a new Star Wars movie.
While recognizing that cameo appearances and references alone do not guarantee a compelling story, this installment’s scale and cinematic presentation reinforce the franchise’s strong theatrical presence. The anticipation surrounds not just the continuation of beloved characters’ arcs but also how the film will balance legacy and fresh storytelling when it opens in late May.
Additional Insights into the Star Wars Franchise’s Future
Amid the excitement for this new film, other elements of the franchise are also evolving. For example, the long-awaited podracing mode is confirmed for the 2026 game Star Wars: Galactic Racer, where characters like Sebulba will race in classic environments, though not using a land speeder. Meanwhile, Lucasfilm’s leadership remains cautious with new projects; James Mangold’s planned trilogy and related ventures appear stalled as Disney navigates a more risk-averse approach to Star Wars development.
Fan involvement remains active as well, with modders reimagining and expanding the content of existing games like Battlefront 2, unofficially creating what is being called Battlefront 3. The passionate community continues to contribute fresh experiences despite official pauses and delays.
Upcoming Star Wars Projects and Innovations
Looking toward future cinematic endeavors, the 2027 film Star Wars Starfighter is currently in production, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling. Notably, it features a lightsaber scene shot by Tom Cruise, adding another high-profile name linked to the franchise.
On the merchandise front, Lego plans to enhance its Star Wars sets with the introduction of Smart Play technology—a new interactive line that embeds a computer within a single Lego brick, enabling authentic Star Wars sound effects and increased playability. This innovation is set to launch within the year, offering fans a novel way to engage with the franchise.
Persistent Discussions Around Star Wars Narratives
The Star Wars fandom and internet communities continue dissecting iconic moments, with debates surrounding famous quotes from The Last Jedi being especially heated. Commentary from individuals like Joshua Rivera stresses the importance of contextual understanding to appreciate these narrative elements, highlighting the depth and divisiveness that the saga often inspires.
“Disney confirmed as much with Polygon.” ? (Source)
First look at the live-action debut of Embo, a bounty hunter from The Clone Wars, in THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU pic.twitter.com/ZdHReg9kbf
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) February 17, 2026
