This movie returns Star Wars to cinemas after a seven-year gap and is the first MandoVerse story shown in theaters. It follows Din Djarin and Grogu as they travel to new planets, and it’s essentially a celebration of everything that happened in the first three seasons of Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
The latest Star Wars film ties into the other shows in the MandoVerse, but it surprisingly features few appearances from characters outside of those series. Several familiar faces could have enriched The Mandalorian and Grogu, either by wrapping up existing storylines or hinting at future adventures in the Star Wars universe.
A Grand Admiral Thrawn Cameo Would Have Set Up Ahsoka Season 2
This story takes place between the original Star Wars trilogy and the sequel trilogy. The leader of what remains of the Empire represents their last chance to overthrow the New Republic and regain control. Thrawn was first mentioned in Season 2 of The Mandalorian on Disney+, and the 2023 series Ahsoka brought the Grand Admiral back into the story after a long exile in a faraway galaxy.
While The Mandalorian and Grogu probably happens after the events of Ahsoka, the villain Grand Admiral Thrawn doesn’t appear. He isn’t even talked about in the show. This might mean the story is happening around the time Thrawn is coming back, before the New Republic realizes how big a danger he poses to the galaxy.
It’s a shame Star Wars didn’t do more to connect its different shows and movies. Even a simple reference to Thrawn’s eventual return would have helped build anticipation. However, his lack of appearance might be because Lucasfilm is still figuring out the release schedule and overall plan for the interconnected stories – what fans are calling the ‘MandoVerse’.
Bo-Katan Could Have Revealed Mandalore’s Status
A noticeable omission from the new Star Wars film is Bo-Katan Kryze. Played by Katee Sackhoff, Bo-Katan was a key character in seasons two and three of The Mandalorian, ultimately succeeding in retaking her home planet, Mandalore. Despite her significant role in Mandalorian history, she doesn’t appear in the latest movie.
As a huge Star Wars fan, I noticed that The Mandalorian and Grogu really dove into the seedier side of the galaxy this season, and honestly, it felt like the Mandalore storyline was put on hold. I was hoping for even a quick check-in with Bo-Katan – just to see how things are going with her leading Mandalore – but it didn’t happen. Still, I’m keeping my fingers crossed we’ll see her again soon, even if there’s been no news yet.
Luke Skywalker Is Welcome in Any Star Wars Project
Many Star Wars fans had hoped to see Luke Skywalker appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, and his unexpected appearance in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian remains a highlight for many. His return in The Book of Boba Fett suggested there were still possibilities for the character within this period of the Star Wars universe. However, Luke won’t be part of Din Djarin and Grogu’s current story.
Now that Grogu has finished his training with Luke Skywalker and chosen a different path with the Mandalorians, they may not meet again. However, despite this, Grogu could still appear in future Star Wars shows and movies, potentially in Season 2 of Ahsoka or the upcoming film project from Dave Filoni, currently known as Heir to the Empire.
The Armorer Is a Glaring Absence in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Emily Swallow’s character, the Armorer, has been a key figure throughout all three seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+. She guided Din Djarin as he developed, and most recently, in Season 3, she and her clan vowed to support Bo-Katan Kryze, who had become the leader of Mandalore.
Din Djarin and Grogu appear to be drifting away from the Mandalorian community since the end of Season 3. They’re currently focused on a quiet life on Nevarro, with occasional jobs for the New Republic. Hopefully, they’ll eventually return to Mandalore and reunite with the Armorer, which would be a welcome moment for fans.
Greef Karga Is Absent From The Mandalorian and Grogu For a Tragic Reason
A significant loss is felt throughout the film. Greef Karga, a close ally of Din Djarin, doesn’t appear, even though he was in all three seasons of The Mandalorian. This is especially noticeable when the story revisits Nevarro, where he was last working as the High Magistrate.
Many Star Wars fans are aware that Greef Karga isn’t in The Mandalorian & Grogu because Carl Weathers, the actor who played him, passed away in 2024. He died before filming even started, preventing any possibility of including him, even in archived footage. Therefore, Season 3 of The Mandalorian will be the last time viewers see Greef Karga.
Ahsoka Tano Would Have Been a Welcome Presence in The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Disney+ series Ahsoka marks a significant turning point for the character. It’s not unexpected that Ahsoka doesn’t appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, as the ending of Ahsoka leaves her and her student, Sabine Wren, stranded on the faraway planet of Peridea, in a distant galaxy.
Although Ahsoka wasn’t planned to be in the current timeline of The Mandalorian and Grogu, some viewers hoped to see her in flashbacks. The new film brings back Rotta the Hutt, Jabba the Hutt’s son, who Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker saved as a baby. This created a perfect chance to show a flashback to the Clone Wars with Ariana Greenblatt playing young Ahsoka and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.
Even though Ahsoka wasn’t in the latest season of The Mandalorian and Grogu, her return next year is something to look forward to. The upcoming series will show a full-scale war between the New Republic and Grand Admiral Thrawn’s remaining Imperial forces. It’s also expected to lay the groundwork for a future film by Dave Filoni, called Heir to the Empire, which will conclude the interconnected stories of The Mandalorian universe and better connect the original Star Wars trilogy with the sequel trilogy.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a delightful return to the Star Wars universe, and it’s a great way to get to know these two characters. While it would have been nice to see some returning favorites, the series leaves the door open for more adventures in the future.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is now playing in theaters.
Read More
- Top 5 Best New Mobile Games to play in May 2026
- The SATISFY x adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 Debuts in Three Earthy Colorways
- FC Mobile 26 TOTS (Team of the Season) event Guide and Tips
- These Cartoon Reboots Totally Missed the Point of the Originals (& Went Downhill Fast)
- Honor of Kings x Attack on Titan Collab Skins: All Skins, Price, and Availability
- Yummy Tteokbokki ASMR redeem codes and how to use them (May 2026)
- Supercell’s “neo mo.co” update set for the Summer of 2026 and this might save the game
- Honkai: Star Rail Silver Wolf Lv. 999 Build Guide: Best Relics, Light Cone, Team Comps, and more
- STARBUCKS STAND by BEAMS Channels Kenyan Coffee Heritage Into Its Latest Spring/Summer Wardrobe
- Last Furry: Survival redeem codes and how to use them (April 2026)
2026-05-27 02:07