‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Cast Revealed: 8 Key New and Returning Star Wars Roles Explained

Star Wars is heading back to theaters with a new chapter that connects directly to the Disney+ era. According to Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to bring Din Djarin and Grogu from streaming into a full cinematic release. The film is directed by Jon Favreau, who also co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor, and it continues the story that began in the hit series The Mandalorian.

The movie marks a major moment for the franchise. It is the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019, and it signals a clear return to big-screen storytelling for the galaxy far, far away. Lucasfilm is also planning more films in the coming years, including Star Wars: Starfighter, which will star Ryan Gosling. But this new Mandalorian film is the one leading the charge.

At the center of the story is Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal. He returns as the armored bounty hunter who has slowly grown into a father figure for Grogu. In this film, he is no longer just a lone mercenary. Instead, he works with the New Republic, tracking down Imperial warlords who are still causing chaos after the fall of the Empire. Pascal’s performance remains mostly vocal since the character rarely removes his helmet, continuing the same style from the Disney+ series.

Behind the physical performance of Din Djarin, two stunt actors also help bring the character to life. Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder handle much of the on-set movement. Wayne shapes the character’s Western-style posture and presence, while Crowder performs many of the fight scenes. This shared performance approach has been part of the character since the beginning of the series and continues into the film.

Grogu also returns as a central figure in the story. The small Force-sensitive character, often called Baby Yoda by fans, is still mostly created using practical effects. Lucasfilm uses animatronics and puppetry to bring him to life on set, allowing real interaction with the actors. In the new film, Grogu continues learning about the Force while staying close to Din Djarin. His behavior remains a mix of curiosity, mischief, and emotional innocence, which has made him one of the most popular characters in modern Star Wars.

The cast expands far beyond the main duo. Jeremy Allen White joins the film as Rotta the Hutt, the grown-up son of Jabba the Hutt. Rotta first appeared as a baby in The Clone Wars animated series. Now he is portrayed as a powerful and dangerous figure in the criminal underworld. White provides the voice performance for the character and brings a more intense and physical presence to the Hutt legacy.

Sigourney Weaver also appears in a major new role as Colonel Ward. She plays a high-ranking officer in the New Republic who assigns missions and helps manage the fragile peace after the fall of the Empire. Weaver is no stranger to science fiction, having starred in major franchises like Alien and Avatar, and her role adds a more grounded military perspective to the film’s story.

Another returning character is Zeb Orrelios, voiced by Steve Blum. Zeb originally appeared in the animated series Star Wars Rebels and later made a brief live-action appearance in The Mandalorian. In this film, he has a larger role working alongside the New Republic. Blum, known for his extensive voice acting career, brings back the same strong and direct personality that fans remember.

Dave Filoni also returns in an unusual double role. He co-writes and produces the film, but he also voices the bounty hunter Embo. Embo is a fan-favorite character from The Clone Wars, known for his wide-brimmed hat that doubles as a weapon. In this new story, he returns as a hired hunter working with criminal forces. Filoni’s involvement continues his long history of directly contributing to Star Wars both behind and in front of the camera.

One of the most surprising additions to the cast is Martin Scorsese, who voices a character named Hugo. Hugo is an Ardennian fry cook, a four-armed alien species previously seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story. This unexpected casting brings a well-known filmmaker into the Star Wars universe in a small but unusual role. Scorsese is known for directing films like Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, making his appearance as a sci-fi alien chef a surprising creative choice.

The film also features several supporting characters who help expand the world. New Republic pilots, crime bosses, bounty hunters, and droidsmiths all appear throughout the story. These roles connect different corners of the Star Wars universe, from animated series to live-action films, building a wider sense of continuity.

The story itself follows Din Djarin and Grogu as they work to stop remaining Imperial warlords and protect the fragile peace of the New Republic. The tone mixes adventure, emotional storytelling, and action across multiple worlds. According to Lucasfilm, the film is designed as both a continuation of the series and a standalone theatrical experience for audiences returning to Star Wars in cinemas.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled for release in theaters on May 22.

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