Inside Disney's Dilemma Over The Mandalorian and Grogu
Disney jitters are growing, with internal chatter suggesting The Mandalorian and Grogu may not soar as high as the studio hoped.
Disney has been out of the Star Wars movie game for more than six years. That theatrical dry spell ends with The Mandalorian and Grogu. The mood inside the company, though, sounds a little twitchy.
The Mandalorian and Grogu: excitement meets nerves
In a recent deep-dive on Disney leadership, the film was described internally as
"something of a question mark"
for the studio. The sticking point makes sense: it started life as a streaming series, and some folks worry the jump to theaters only screams event for the most devout Grogu faithful.
Then there was that Super Bowl spot. It played like a throwback beer ad instead of a movie trailer: Sam Elliott narrating, a team of Tauntauns hauling Din Djarin and Grogu across the snow, the whole nostalgic package. Cute vibe. Wrong moment. If you are spending Super Bowl money to introduce your first Star Wars movie in years, go loud with a real trailer.
All that said, the math looks reasonable. The budget is a comparatively modest $166 million (for Star Wars), and Baby Yoda on a big screen still feels like a seat-filler. I am not calling a billion-dollar run, but it does not need one. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22.
Meanwhile, Star Wars: Starfighter is getting the good buzz
Different energy on Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter. Internally, it is reportedly
"more likely to satisfy fans."
People who have seen footage are high on Ryan Gosling, and the word is Levy has
"recaptured the franchise's spirit of fun."
Details remain locked down, but there is a spicy tidbit: earlier this year, Tom Cruise swung by set and ended up helping film a lightsaber duel sequence. The cast is stacked beyond Gosling, with Mia Goth, Matt Smith, Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, and Flynn Gray all aboard. Starfighter is dated for May 28, 2027.
- The Mandalorian and Grogu: budget around $166 million; Super Bowl tease with Sam Elliott voiceover and Tauntauns; theatrical release May 22.
- Star Wars: Starfighter (dir. Shawn Levy): strong internal buzz; Ryan Gosling praised; Tom Cruise helped shoot a lightsaber duel during a set visit; cast also includes Mia Goth, Matt Smith, Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, and Flynn Gray; releases May 28, 2027.