This article was originally published on SFFGazette.com.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters as a long-awaited cinematic expansion of one of Star Wars' most beloved stories. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal as the stoic bounty hunter Din Djarin, the film reunites the Mandalorian with his young apprentice Grogu for a fresh, standalone adventure that picks up after the events of The Mandalorian Season 3.
The movie strikes a careful balance between accessibility and deeper lore. While it functions perfectly as an entry point for newcomers, subtle threads connect it to the wider Star Wars Galaxy.
In this article, we share everything you need to know about whether The Mandalorian and Grogu sets up a sequel and how it potentially lays the groundwork for The Mandalorian Season 4 and Ahsoka Season 2. Be warned that major spoilers follow from this point on.
Does The Mandalorian and Grogu set up a sequel?
While Din Djarin and Grogu both make it to the credits alive and well, there's nothing in the movie that directly sets up a sequel. Following a tough battle with the Hutt Twins, the duo leaves Adelphi Base, and Mando allows Grogu to hit the button that sends the Razor Crest blasting into hyperspace.
Embo being alive leaves the door open to a possible rematch with Din. However, he doesn't appear to have a personal grudge against the Mandalorian, so we don't necessarily think he'll be hunting him down anytime soon.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fully standalone adventure, but it's not hard to see what form a sequel could take. Colonel Ward makes it clear to Din that he's part of the New Republic now, and there are still members of the Imperial Remnants who are unaccounted for. So, that leaves plenty more bounties to hunt down.
What about The Mandalorian Season 4 and Ahsoka Season 2?
No, there is nothing that directly sets up either Disney+ project. The Mandalorian and Grogu is its own thing, and if Season 4 were to be released tomorrow, you could probably tune in without ever seeing this movie.
During a recent interview, filmmaker Jon Favreau said, "[With this movie], it's got to be like, 'No, you should be able to bring somebody who's never seen Star Wars with you.' So, it had to be a standalone adventure, but you also want to have enough subtle stuff that relates to Ahsoka season 2."
What is he referring to? Honestly, we're not sure. We'd imagine it has something to do with Rotta the Hutt joining the New Republic and his surprising friendship with Zeb Orrelios. The latter is bound to appear in Ahsoka Season 2 for a Star Wars Rebels reunion, and will likely bring Jabba's son with him.
As for the wider Galaxy Far, Far Away, The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn't set up Star Wars: Starfighter or any of the rumoured movies on the way. However, by taking Grogu on a journey that sees him come to terms with the fact that Din won't always be there for him, The Child learns a valuable lesson that could come into play if we ever explore his future decades or centuries after this story is set.
"The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fun, pulpy reminder that Star Wars doesn’t need to grow up; it just needs to be entertaining," we said in our review. "Jon Favreau's action-packed love letter delivers exactly the crowd-pleasing adventure fans have been craving."
In The Mandalorian and Grogu, the evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. It's produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22.