Star Wars Celebration Japan officially kicked off with a crowd-pleasing bang, as Lucasfilm unveiled the first footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu, the highly anticipated next chapter in the galaxy far, far away. The presentation opened the convention’s main stage with returning stars, including Pedro Pascal, major announcements, and some serious crowd energy — not to mention a surprise visit from Grogu himself.
The event marked the first real look at the Jon Favreau-directed film, which will hit cinemas on May 22, 2026 and marks the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
“A whole new adventure” begins
Appearing on stage with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Star Wars creative lead Dave Filoni, Favreau gave fans their first official tease of the film, including action-packed footage and a few surprises. “We do try to bring a sense of fun. It’s the funnest job you’ll ever have,” Favreau said, highlighting the tone they’ve aimed for throughout the project.
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The first clip shown featured Din Djarin breaking into an AT-AT in a continuous shot, taking out snowtroopers with blasters, flamethrowers, and his full arsenal — an intense sequence that drew immediate comparisons to the 1977 film’s iconic opening. Filoni was even shown in a set photo behind the AT-AT controls. “Look at Dave, look at what he does at work,” Favreau joked. “He gets paid for that, by the way.” Filoni replied, “I do!”
A later montage teased more spectacle: an AT-AT tumbling off a snowy cliff, Grogu using the Force underwater, and a mysterious arena shot where Jeremy Allen White’s character, revealed to be Rotta the Hutt, stands triumphantly in battle. Grogu, of course, is in the crowd eating a galaxy-appropriate version of popcorn.
Sigourney Weaver joins the galaxy far, far away
Among the biggest reveals was Sigourney Weaver, confirmed as a major new addition to the Star Wars universe. Dressed as an X-wing pilot, Weaver’s character reportedly brings an authoritative presence that clashes with Din Djarin’s independent nature. “When I watched [The Mandalorian], I fell in love with all the characters, especially this guy,” she said on stage, motioning to Pedro Pascal. “And of course Grogu stole my heart.”
Weaver recounted her entry into the franchise, saying it began with a Zoom call from Favreau and Filoni. “There’s somebody else I fell in love with. May I just say that, of course, Grogu stole my heart. And you know, I just saw him in the green room. He looks a little nervous, but I bet he’d like to come out here.” Moments later, a life-like animatronic Grogu emerged to rapturous applause, giving the audience a shy wave.
Pascal, reprising his role as Din Djarin, reflected on joining the franchise from the beginning. “I’ll never forget the first day that I got to sit down with Jon and Dave in the writers room… I remember just seeing the greatest visual storyboards that I had ever seen, and knowing that people were going to lose their minds.”
Weaver echoed the emotional energy of the room: “What a thrill to see all of you here. It is so inspiring. It’s always good to be reminded why you’re doing it, and it’s for all of you.”
“A homecoming” for Star Wars
Favreau also noted the significance of hosting the presentation in Japan, citing the country’s deep influence on George Lucas and the Star Wars saga. “When I think about Star Wars and what inspired Star Wars, it’s so inextricably tied to Japanese cinema, Japanese culture and tradition,” he said. “To come back here, it feels like a homecoming.”
The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars film to hit theatres in seven years and represents a unique twist in the franchise’s evolution — transitioning one of its most successful Disney+ series into a full-fledged theatrical experience. The film is expected to include characters from Ahsoka, Star Wars: Rebels, and beyond, and was born during a planned fourth season of The Mandalorian, which was ultimately reworked into a feature during the Hollywood strikes.
As Favreau explained last year, “To come back together and have the scale and scope of the big screen to tell a story with characters people already know in a brand-new adventure… this is an opportunity to reach out to a whole new audience.”
Expect the first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu to drop at any moment.
