Hutts vs. Mandalorian: First Look at the Explosive New Trailer.

Hutts vs. Mandalorian: First Look at the Explosive New Trailer.

Released on February 17, 2026, the official full-length trailer has already racked up millions of views, shifting the conversation from “why is this a movie?” to “when can I buy tickets?”

The Mission

The trailer clarifies the film’s timeline, picking up shortly after the events of The Mandalorian Season 3. With the Galactic Empire in ruins but its warlords still clinging to power in the Outer Rim, the fledgling New Republic is desperate. They’ve enlisted Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal)—who we famously see unmasked in several key trailer shots—to track down these Imperial remnants.

The Hutts Return

The biggest “holy cow” moment of the trailer involves the return of the Hutts. We see a surprisingly “buff” Rotta the Hutt (voiced by The Bear star Jeremy Allen White). It seems the New Republic needs information that only the crime syndicates possess, forcing Mando and Grogu into a dangerous alliance with the very underworld they’ve spent years navigating.

Cast and Characters: Old Friends and New Legends

The ensemble for The Mandalorian and Grogu is a mix of veteran “Mandoverse” actors and heavy-hitting Hollywood newcomers.

Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin: Pascal returns as the titular Mandalorian. Fans were thrilled to see his face in the trailer, suggesting the film will dive deeper into the man beneath the Beskar.

Grogu: The world’s favorite “Baby Yoda” remains the heart of the story. Director Jon Favreau has noted that for the big screen, Grogu’s animatronics have been “leveled up” to handle the detail required for IMAX.

Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward: A massive addition to the franchise, Weaver plays a leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers. Her voiceover provides the moral anchor of the trailer: “This isn’t about revenge. It’s about preventing another war.”

Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt: In a brilliant bit of voice-casting, White brings a gritty, youthful edge to the son of Jabba the Hutt.

Steve Blum as Zeb Orrelios: After a brief cameo in the series, the Star Wars Rebels fan-favorite is back in a lead capacity, serving as a New Republic captain.

Martin Scorsese (Cameo): Perhaps the most shocking “Easter Egg” is a voice cameo by the legendary director Martin Scorsese, who reportedly lends his voice to an ancient alien elder.

Official Release Date

The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, marking the return of Star Wars to theaters in a major way. The date positions the film as one of the most anticipated cinematic events of the year, kicking off what could be a new era of interconnected theatrical storytelling.

A New Chapter Begins: Trailer Breakdown

The trailer opens with sweeping shots of the Outer Rim, instantly capturing the rugged tone that made The Mandalorian such a cultural phenomenon. Din Djarin, clad in his iconic beskar armor, appears more battle-hardened than ever. Meanwhile, Grogu continues to grow in confidence and strength, showcasing refined Force abilities that hint at a larger destiny.

The footage teases high-stakes confrontations, shadowy criminal networks, and a widening galactic conflict. While the trailer carefully avoids major spoilers, it strongly suggests that this story will explore the consequences of Din’s evolving role as both warrior and guardian. The emotional core remains intact: a lone Mandalorian and a child bound by loyalty, honor, and love.

Visually, the film looks grander than the series, with cinematic scale, expansive space battles, and stunning planetary landscapes that signal a leap from streaming to theatrical storytelling.

The Creative Team: The Architects of the Mandoverse

The film is in safe hands, as the original creators of the series are the ones steering the ship into theaters.

Director: Jon Favreau. Having launched the MCU with Iron Man, Favreau is no stranger to big-screen spectacles. He has stated that moving to the theater allowed them to “up their game” in terms of cinematography and scope.

Writers: Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. The two chief architects of the modern Star Wars era co-wrote the script. Filoni, now the Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, ensures that the film ties into the larger “Filoni-verse” (including Ahsoka and The Clone Wars).

Score: Ludwig Göransson. The Oscar-winning composer returns to evolve his iconic theme for a full orchestral cinematic experience.

Reliving the Journey: A Look Back at the Series

To understand why this movie is such a massive deal, we have to look at the reviews and the legacy of the Disney+ series that started it all.

Season 1 & 2: The Golden Era

When The Mandalorian premiered in 2019, it was a cultural phenomenon. It stripped Star Wars back to its “Space Western” roots.

The Consensus: Critics loved the episodic, “mission-of-the-week” format. The show felt intimate, grounded, and refreshingly disconnected from the Skywalker Saga.

The Review Legacy: Season 1 currently holds a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Season 2 following closely at 93%. These seasons are remembered for the perfect balance of action and the evolving father-son bond between Din and Grogu.

Season 3: The Turning Point

Season 3, which aired in 2023, was a bit more divisive.

The Shift: The focus moved from “Mando and Grogu” to “The Reclamation of Mandalore,” with Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) taking a lead role.

The Critics’ Take: While the finale was praised for its spectacle, some fans felt the “heart” of the show—the central duo—was slightly sidelined. It holds an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, still “certified fresh,” but a signal that the show was outgrowing its small-screen boundaries.

Why the Movie is a “Reset”

The upcoming film appears to be a “best of both worlds” scenario. It takes the massive scale of Season 3’s battles but reframes the narrative squarely back on Din Djarin and Grogu. By jumping to the big screen, Favreau is betting that the audience is ready to see this personal story told on the grandest possible stage.

Themes and Expectations

The trailer hints at several core themes:

1. Fatherhood and Legacy

Din’s protective bond with Grogu remains the emotional anchor. As Grogu grows stronger in the Force, questions of training, identity, and destiny loom large.

2. Mandalorian Identity

The evolving culture of Mandalore continues to shape Din’s journey. Honor, creed, and leadership responsibilities could play a significant role in the film’s conflict.

3. Power Vacuums in the Galaxy

With the Empire fallen but instability lingering, criminal syndicates and warlords appear ready to seize control. The trailer’s darker tone suggests higher stakes than ever before.

Final Thoughts

The first trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu doesn’t just tease another adventure — it promises a turning point. With Jon Favreau directing, Pedro Pascal returning, and Grogu continuing his evolution, the film stands poised to blend heartfelt storytelling with blockbuster spectacle.

For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this cinematic chapter represents both continuity and transformation. If the trailer is any indication, Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey is far from over — it’s simply entering its most ambitious phase yet.

As we count down to May 2026, one thing is clear: the bond between a Mandalorian and a child remains one of the most compelling stories in modern franchise filmmaking. And on the big screen, that story is about to reach an entirely new galaxy of possibilities.