Sigourney Weaver recently shared her reasons for joining the cast of the latest The Mandalorian and Grogu film. This new installment in the Star Wars saga is the first movie to debut since The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019, and it picks up following the events of the third season of The Mandalorian.
In The Mandalorian and Grogu, Weaver portrays Colonel Ward, a character aligned with the New Republic. This role adds to Weaver’s impressive career, marking her involvement in a fourth major film franchise, following her iconic roles in Alien, Ghostbusters, and Avatar.
During an interview with Empire magazine, Weaver emphasized that her decision to participate in a project always hinges on the quality of the script. She explained that she wasn’t initially looking to be part of the Star Wars universe when she was approached for The Mandalorian and Grogu. However, she was captivated by the screenplay crafted by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. Additionally, Weaver hinted that the franchise is shifting its approach, moving away from trying to create a definitive Star Wars experience to simply letting the universe expand and evolve. Below are her comments:
Indeed, the script is my guide. For The Mandalorian and Grogu, joining another franchise wasn’t my goal. I never thought I’d step into the Star Wars realm. The exciting part about Star Wars now is that it’s not about creating the ultimate Star Wars anymore. They are allowing the universe to just be, exploring very fascinating stories within it. I think Jon Favreau was thinking, “We need a strong character, let’s make it a woman.” It might not have initially been intended as a woman’s role. Nowadays, they often think, “How can we update this?” And now, with women achieving so much—hooray for us—I just fell in love with the script. When I said I didn’t know this world, Jon suggested, “Well, you can watch the series,” and I was like, “There’s a series?!”
Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, many of the Star Wars movies, like the sequel trilogy and Rogue One, featured high-stakes galactic conflicts. However, more recent entries, particularly those developed for Disney+, have focused on more intimate, localized narratives.
In the film, characters Din Djarin, Grogu, and Colonel Ward face challenges from the Imperial Remnant. Weaver notes that this storyline operates on a somewhat smaller scale than some past Star Wars films. This shift can be partly attributed to Lucasfilm’s decision to pivot from producing a fourth season of The Mandalorian to developing this film, which aims to delve deeper into the universe and its intriguing stories.
After his roles in creating and leading the The Mandalorian series, Favreau not only co-wrote but also directed the new movie. Actors Pedro Pascal, Lateef Crowder, and Brendan Wayne portray Din, while Grogu is brought to life through puppetry, animatronics, and visual effects.
Joining Weaver in the new cast is Jeremy Allen White from The Bear, who voices Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s son, first seen in the 2008 The Clone Wars movie. Rotta, who debuted as a baby in The Clone Wars, appears as a grown, muscular Hutt in the trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu.
While the future of Weaver’s character remains uncertain, there is potential for her role to expand as the story of the Imperial Remnant’s threat unfolds during the New Republic era. The theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu is set for May 22, 2026.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
