The last The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer marks a major turning point for Star Wars. Lucasfilm shifts the story from Disney+ to a theatrical IMAX experience. Jon Favreau directs the film as Lucasfilm expands Din and Grogu’s story for a new generation.
Here’s the latest trailer:
Mandalorian & Grogu IMAX Preview: Quick Facts
- Directed by Jon Favreau
- Produced by Lucasfilm
- Features Din Djarin and Grogu’s next adventure
- Includes a 25-minute extended IMAX preview
- Preview is exclusive to IMAX theaters
- Not available online or via streaming
- Shown during a limited fan event and special screening on May 4th
- Availability varies by location and theater participation
- Tickets released through major cinema chains and apps
- Designed as a cinematic introduction for new fans
What the Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer Reveals
This trailer is very different from the Super Bowl trailer and the following trailer. The final promo presents the film as a break from the episodic format. Instead, it leans into a cinematic structure built for large-scale storytelling.
IMAX-Exclusive 25-Minute Preview Event
Lucasfilm will show a 25-minute IMAX preview in select theaters. This isn’t just a standard trailer. It’s an extended presentation designed to function like a mini cinematic experience. The footage is intended to highlight scale, sound design, and visual immersion, reinforcing why the project has been built with theatrical presentation in mind. The preview will only be available in participating IMAX theaters and is being used as a promotional event rather than a general release.
On May 4, 2026, for “Star Wars Day,” Lucasfilm is hosting a free, exclusive IMAX fan event showcasing over 25 minutes of footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu. The event takes place at 7:00 PM local time at select IMAX theaters globally, featuring exclusive posters and surprises.
This isn’t just a standard trailer—it plays more like a mini-featurette or opening chapter.
- An extended 25-minute preview shown only in theaters
- Designed to highlight cinematic scale and sound design
- Intended to showcase why the film belongs on the big screen
- Limited participation across select theater locations
This approach is designed to give fans confidence that The Mandalorian & Grogu isn’t just a continuation of streaming. It’s being positioned as a major theatrical event.
Where to Watch the IMAX Preview
The IMAX preview is not available online or through streaming platforms. Instead, it is being distributed as a limited theatrical experience.
More than 25 minutes of brand-new video will serve as the focal point of each fan event, and special prizes will include a brand-new poster. A list of participating IMAX theaters is available here.
Jon Favreau’s Vision for a New Generation
According to director Jon Favreau, the goal of the film goes beyond continuing an existing storyline. The intention is to create a Star Wars experience that is accessible to viewers who may not have followed the series while still rewarding long-time fans.
That means focusing on emotional storytelling, character-driven arcs, and a sense of wonder that can stand on its own. The approach reflects an effort to introduce a new generation to Star Wars in a way that feels welcoming rather than dependent on prior knowledge.
Din Djarin and Grogu were at peace in the third season, at least temporarily. In order to help defend the Outer Rim, he has adopted Grogu as his son and apprentice. Together, they intend to live in a modest cabin and take on occasional jobs.
“He made it clear that he was only going to work for the good guys now,” Favreau said. “We switched the Western archetype from the bounty hunter to the guy who’s hunting down the bad guys in the wanted posters on the post office wall for the sheriff.”
When we meet him again in the film, “he’s a bit different from when we first met him, but he’s still, at his heart, a gunfighter and a warrior,” Favreau said. They’re hunting down ex-Imperial warlords who seem to be organizing. (Reminder, these events happen after Return of the Jedi and before The Force Awakens. )
Additionally, he is not too excited about his new job, which will return him within the Hutt family’s sphere of influence. Indeed, Jeremy Allen White plays his son, Rotta, who is a gladiator.
“That’s one of those fun things for people who may have been following along since the first ‘Clone Wars’ film,” Favreau said. “If you don’t know who he is, you’re going to figure it out pretty quick. And he’s a lot different than people remember, and I think we have a bit of fun with that.”
Additionally, Favreau is fairly certain that superfans never call him “Stinky.”
There are other newcomers to Star Wars besides White. Martin Scorsese portrays an alien, while Sigourney Weaver plays a leader of the New Republic.
Why IMAX Matters
Star Wars movies have been shown in IMAX before. Attack of the Clones was the first back in 2002. But the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker were all released in the large-screen format along with Rogue One and Solo. The upcoming Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) is filmed for IMAX, and an original 1977 theatrical cut re-release is planned for 2027.
The decision to prioritize IMAX is central to the film’s identity. The presentation is designed for large-format screens, enhanced sound systems, and a more immersive viewing environment than streaming can provide.
“With the bigger screen and the larger production value, we were able to dip into another one of George Lucas’ influences, which is the Flash Gordon-style space opera where you get big monsters and creatures and worlds,” he said. “We get to do a lot more than we had the ability to do when we had to turn the show around in a year and fit it onto a television screen. Now we’re in IMAX, we had several years to do it. We got to build sets, we got to build miniatures, we got to have stop motion set pieces … it opened up a lot of opportunities to do things that we never got to do before.”
This approach reinforces Star Wars as a shared theatrical experience rather than a purely home-viewing franchise. It also signals a broader shift back toward cinema as the primary destination for major Star Wars storytelling.
A Shift in Star Wars Strategy
The move toward a theatrical release suggests a change in direction for the franchise. Rather than continuing exclusively in episodic streaming form, Star Wars appears to be re-embracing the cinema model for its flagship stories. This shift may also indicate changes in how future The Mandalorian narratives are delivered, potentially blending or replacing traditional season structures with feature-length storytelling.
What to Watch For
The trailer and preview footage emphasize large-scale action and emotional character dynamics, but they also hint at deeper connections within the Star Wars universe. Viewers should pay attention to how Din Djarin and Grogu’s relationship evolves under new pressures, as well as subtle world-building details that may point toward larger narrative threads.
Final Thoughts
The Mandalorian & Grogu is being positioned as more than a continuation of a popular series. It is a deliberate effort to return Star Wars to the big screen in a meaningful way, combining IMAX spectacle with accessible storytelling. If the approach succeeds, it could mark the beginning of a new era where Star Wars once again prioritizes theatrical experiences while welcoming a broader audience into the galaxy far, far away.
Join the Conversation
Are you planning to see The Mandalorian & Grogu in IMAX, or do you think Star Wars works better at home on streaming? Share your thoughts in the comments and send this to other fans to join the conversation.
