In 2026, a new Star Wars movie featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu will be released in theaters. But instead of continuing with a fourth season of the show, why a film? Six years ago, the Star Wars franchise experienced significant changes. *The Rise of Skywalker* concluded the sequel trilogy with a somewhat controversial ending, despite earning over $1 billion worldwide. Simultaneously, Disney+ launched, and *The Mandalorian* quickly became its most popular show.
As a huge cinema fan, I have to say the original series was a massive hit. Critics loved it, fans went wild for it – especially Grogu, or ‘Baby Yoda’ as everyone called him! It really proved that live-action *Star Wars* on TV could work, something even George Lucas hadn’t explored. But things are shifting now. We all thought Season 4 of *The Mandalorian* was a given – plans were definitely underway at one point. Instead, we’re getting a new series called *The Mandalorian and Grogu*, and it feels like a bigger change is happening within the *Star Wars* universe, and even at Disney as a whole.
Star Wars (& Marvel) Are Pivoting Away From Disney+
In February 2023, before the release of *The Mandalorian* Season 3, Jon Favreau announced that the scripts for Season 4 were already complete. But the Hollywood strikes that followed caused delays and prompted Disney to reconsider its streaming strategy. This came at a time when some shows and movies weren’t performing as well as expected, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, once incredibly successful, showed signs of strain due to being spread across both theaters and Disney+.
Recently, the strategy has shifted away from primarily releasing content through streaming services. While streaming will still be used, particularly for animated projects, it won’t be the main focus. For live-action films, the priority is now on making fewer, higher-quality movies and reinforcing these franchises as ones best experienced in theaters. This is especially important for Star Wars, as it’s been a while since a film was last in cinemas, and upcoming plans reflect this change in direction.
As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m really excited about what’s coming! Right now, the only live-action show officially announced for another season is *Ahsoka*. But on the movie side, things are really heating up! We have dates set for a film featuring *The Mandalorian and Grogu*, and *Star Wars: Starfighter* is also in the works. Plus, there are a ton of other films being developed – I’ve heard they’re even planning a movie based on the New Jedi Order with Daisy Ridley returning, a Dawn of the Jedi film by James Mangold, and a big event movie from Dave Filoni that’s supposed to wrap up the story from the New Republic era. It’s a lot to look forward to!
It’s worth pointing out that *The Mandalorian and Grogu* is the first Star Wars project to move forward with a film after the disappointing performance of the sequel trilogy and *Solo*. Lucasfilm really needs a win, and this project offers a built-in fanbase – including viewers who’ve grown up with the show. With two popular characters and strong potential for merchandise, it’s arguably Lucasfilm’s safest option for a new Star Wars movie, making it a logical starting point for future films.
Could The Mandalorian Season 4 Still Happen?
With *The Mandalorian and Grogu* movie in the works, many are wondering if Season 4 of the TV series will ever happen. While it hasn’t been officially cancelled, a new season seems pretty unlikely. It would be unexpected for the show to move to theaters with a movie and then go back to being a TV series. Jon Favreau addressed this at Star Wars Celebration Japan, telling *ComicBook* that he’s currently focused on the movie, which is scheduled for release Memorial Day 2026.
If the *Mandalorian and Grogu* movie does well in theaters, Disney will likely make more films, not continue with a TV show. A successful movie could lead to a full cinematic franchise with potential for spin-offs – either new live-action series, animated shows, or even short-form content like the *I Am Groot* series. However, if the movie isn’t successful, a return to television is unlikely. While anything is possible with *Star Wars*, a fourth season of *The Mandalorian* seems improbable.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will be released on May 22nd, 2026.
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2025-09-24 22:10