Ever since “The Rise of Skywalker” hit theaters in late 2019 and ended the sequel trilogy on a blended notice, the “Star Wars” franchise has meandered greater than somewhat bit. We’ve not had a film since then, with a lot of them coming into growth solely to be quietly deserted or, on the very least, not spoken about once more. Keep in mind Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars” trilogy? The place’s that? The largest, unquestioned “Star Wars” success during the last 5 years is “The Mandalorian.” Created by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), the primary ever live-action sequence in a galaxy far, distant united the fanbase because the adventures of Mando and Grogu have been just too wonderful to disregard.
“The Mandalorian” season 3 aired its finale in April 2023, tying up unfastened ends and establishing a attainable future for Mando and Grogu, in addition to different characters in its story. Although that season of the present was met with a extra blended response than the primary two, it appeared very very similar to Lucasfilm was setting the desk for a fourth season. Whereas that was the plan at one level, issues have modified and, in all chance, that once-planned season of TV will most likely by no means see the sunshine of day.
Introduced in January 2024, Lucasfilm and Disney have confirmed that the following “Star Wars” film goes to be “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Directed by Favreau, Pedro Pascal will return as Mando, occurring one other journey together with his little Pressure-sensitive pal as soon as affectionately referred to as Child Yoda. It will, primarily, be taking the place of “The Mandalorian” season 4, it appears.
The Mandalorian and Grogu are headed to the massive display as a substitute
Issues have modified behind the scenes at Lucasfilm during the last 12 months or so, however Favreau had beforehand confirmed in February 2023 that “The Mandalorian” season 4 scripts had already been written. So there have been, at the least at one level, plans for one more season of the present on Disney+. Whether or not or not Favreau took these scripts and condensed them for the upcoming film or cooked up one other story totally stays to be seen. Both means, this dynamic duo is headed to the massive display as a substitute of again to the world of streaming.
For what it is value, identified trade insider Daniel Richtman reported in September of this 12 months that the fourth season of the present is now lifeless at Disney. “I’ve additionally confirmed the ‘Mandalorian’ film would be the ultimate chapter of the present, no season 4,” Richtman mentioned (by way of The Direct). “He might be in different tasks after that however ‘The Mandalorian’ might be over.”
For what it is value, that does make an excessive amount of sense. It could be robust to deliver these characters to theaters for what would be the first “Star Wars” film in seven years, solely to then deliver them again for a TV present. It could really feel somewhat backwards. There’s additionally the matter of Pedro Pascal, who has performed the titular Mandalorian because the present’s inception. Nevertheless, Pascal has turn into a a lot greater star lately, and he has just about been lowered to only offering Mando’s voiceover today.
The actor can be about to look in Marvel’s “Unbelievable 4” film as Reed Richards, which might be a job that retains him busy for years to return. That is on prime of the numerous different upcoming tasks he is connected to for the time being. The purpose is, it should be tougher and tougher to maintain him out there for “The Mandalorian” as a daily dedication. Doing one massive film then winding issues down appears logical.
The Mandalorian’s story seems to be reaching its conclusion
Past the logistical issues, it very a lot looks like Lucasfilm is constructing to some type of conclusion to the bigger story round Mando. That features the spinoff sequence “The E book of Boba Fett” and “Ahsoka,” which Favreau is concerned in making alongside Dave Filoni. Now serving because the chief artistic officer at Lucasfilm, Favreau is thought finest for his work on animated reveals corresponding to “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels.” Quite crucially, Filoni can be creating a “Star Wars” film that’s mentioned to function the end result of all these numerous “Mandalorian” reveals. To not get too far into hypothesis territory right here, but it surely does appear very very similar to that movie goes to be an adaptation (of types) of the “Inheritor to the Empire” storyline involving Grand Admiral Thrawn.
It is all however assured that Mando and Grogu would additionally present up in that film to assist ship off this nook of the “Star Wars” universe. But when this actually is all constructing to some massive showdown with Thrawn, that might function one heck of a conclusion to this saga. At that time, one other season of “The Mandalorian” may really feel superfluous. Extra importantly, Lucasfilm is creating a number of different tasks that counsel the studio is trying to take the franchise in new instructions.
Most just lately, it was revealed that Simon Kinberg (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Darkish Phoenix”) is creating a brand new “Star Wars” trilogy. That is simply the tip of the iceberg. We even have James Mangold’s “Daybreak of the Jedi” film, in addition to the brand new film that can see Daisy Ridley’s Rey coaching a brand new Jedi Order. There are a number of different films in numerous phases of growth, together with one from Shawn Levy (“Deadpool & Wolverine”). That is to say nothing of what Lucasfilm is planning on the TV aspect, however with reveals like “Skeletron Crew” simply across the nook, it appears there’s extra to sit up for there as nicely.
All of that is to say, for now, Lucasfilm hasn’t definitively acknowledged that “The Mandalorian” season 4 will not occur. It might probably’t be dominated out totally. In any case, at one level it appeared like “Episode VII” would by no means occur, however “The Pressure Awakens” hit theaters in 2015. So, who is aware of? However for now at the least it seems these characters have a future on the silver display versus Disney+.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is about to hit theaters on Might 22, 2026.