Summary
The Mandalorian and Grogucast added an actor who played a villain from the Disney Plus series that fans may not remember but has significant ties to the Galactic Empire.
The Mandalorian and Groguis the nextStar Warsmovie slated for release, making it the franchise’s first feature film sinceThe Rise of Skywalkerpremiered nearly five years ago.Jon Favreau wroteThe Mandalorianseason 4, but the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes delayed production, prompting Lucasfilm to revise its plans for the series. Now, The Mandalorian and Grogu’s adventures will continue on the big screen, carrying over storylines from the series involving remnants of the Galactic Empire.
DeadlinereportsThe Mandalorian and Grogucast has added Jonny Coyne as an Imperial Warlord who made a brief inThe Mandalorianseason 3. The yet-to-be-named villain is a member of the Shadow Council, a group of Imperial Warlords secretly plotting to overthrow the New Republic and restore the Galactic Empire. WhenGiancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideonassembles the council members via hologram, Coyne’s character informs his cohorts of the opportunities in pillaging hyperspace lanes. However, Captain Gilad Pellaeon warns him that his hit-and-run attacks are drawing too much attention, potentially altering the New Republic to the council’s efforts to restore the Empire.
While Coyne’s Imperial Warlord may be a surprising addition toThe Mandalorian and Grogucast given his relatively brief previous appearance, the Shadow Council will likely play a key role in the film. WhileThe Mandalorian and Groguplot details aren’t entirely known, the movie is one of the many projects that are building towardDave Filoni’s upcomingStar Warsmovieset in the New Republic era. Details on that film are also scarce, but it’s been billed as the culmination of stories featured inThe Mandalorian,The Book of Boba Fett,Ahsoka, andSkeleton Crew. Fans suspect Filoni’s movie will pit the “MandoVerse” heroes against Grand Admiral Thrawn, the blue-skinned Imperial officer who returned from exile at the end ofAhsokaseason 1. Considering Coyne’s scene inThe Mandalorianseason 3 also involved the Shadow Council discussing the then-unknown whereabouts of Thrawn,The Mandalorian and Grogucould involve the Empire loyalists reuniting with the Admiral, who is viewed as the best candidate to lead the fractured remnants of the Empire.
Of course, this is speculative. However, Coyne’s return suggests the groundwork is being laid for the remnants of the Empire to begin coalescing around Thrawn as they attempt to restore to Empire. Although fans know they will fail, their efforts could be what leads to the formation of the First Order, the villainous group that was the antagonist of theStar Warssequel trilogy. So,The Mandalorian and Grogucould be key in bridging the gap between the originalStar Warstrilogy and the sequels.
The Mandalorian and Groguwill be released in theaters on May 31, 2025.
The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian is set after the Empire’s fall and before the First Order’s emergence in the ever-growing Star Wars universe. The series follows the travails of a lone gunfighter named Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic. Acting as the first live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian has become incredibly popular on Disney+, partly due to Mando’s relationship with Grogu, which the internet dubbed “Baby Yoda” upon his introduction in season 1.
