A Mandalorian Film is Coming

Movies

Din Djarin and Grogu are getting the cinematic treatment. StarWars.com revealed today that Jon Favreau will direct The Mandalorian and Grogu, a feature film following the two already-iconic stars of The Mandalorian. Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni will produce the film. Filoni is already working on a “Mando-verse” movie and Ahsoka season 2, which the same StarWars.com article confirms. Lucasfilm also has a Jedi Order film coming from James Mangold and a Rey movie from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The Mandalorian and Grogu will go into production this year. Check out what director Jon Favreau and producer Kathleen Kennedy have to say:

“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” said Favreau. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

“Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen,” added Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

The Mandalorian movie is the main event here, but first, I’d like to talk about that Ahsoka season 2 renewal they squirreled away at the end of this already-brief article. Ahsoka actors have said that they’d like to do more, and Rosario Dawson implied the show wasn’t renewed. Was this a ploy to gauge what interest there would actually be for more Ahsoka? Or was the show always safe with Kathleen because it stars predominantly female characters? I’ve wondered if she would perceive Ahsoka’s (the character, not the show) success as a threat. Ahsoka is everything Kathleen wanted Rey to be, while most fans would rather forget about Rey.

I say all this because I am surprised. Ahsoka didn’t seem to be doing too well in the ratings, and most fans didn’t love it. Non-fans of Star Wars animation came away confused, and people (like me) who have seen all of the shows were left underwhelmed. They need to finish this story, though, particularly the story of Baylan Skoll. I don’t know how they can do that without Ray Stevenson, but he and his character were the season’s highlight. It would be a tragedy to get eight more episodes of Rosario mean-mugging the camera and Sabine and Ezra not talking about anything when such an interesting character and story were introduced. This show can get better over time (as many do), but they can’t undo the damage this season has wrought to Clone Wars and Rebels characters and plotlines. 

I have similarly mixed feelings on The Mandalorian and Grogu. I’d be elated if this movie was announced right after The Mandalorian season 2. But season 3 was disappointing in all the wrong ways, rushing reunions and tossing aside character development for jokes and underwhelming battles. I won’t lie to you and say I’m not excited or I won’t watch the movie, but I’m worried. Time will tell, but I can’t have complete faith in anything Star Wars at the moment.