Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
When The Mandalorian (2019) launched on Disney+ in 2019, the franchise’s first-ever live-action series became an instant success and catapulted its two leads, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu (then referred to by fans as “Baby Yoda”), into pop culture stardom practically overnight. As such, they swiftly became one of the most recognizable duos ever in Star Wars.
Star Wars Is No Stranger to Masters and Apprentices
Star Wars duos can be found everywhere throughout the franchise. There’s Han Solo and Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano, and even Luke Skywalker and Yoda. And that barely scratches the surface.
In recent years, however, the “lone wolf and cub” formula has become increasingly popular, even in other franchises, from The Last of Us‘ Joel and Ellie to Stranger Things‘ Hopper and Eleven.
In Star Wars, that formula has carried over into more recent projects like Maul — Shadow Lord (2026), through the titular former Sith (Sam Witwer) and his apprentice Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon).
Of course, Din Djarin and Grogu remain the most iconic of the Disney era, putting to shame even the likes of the sequel trilogy’s Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Rey (Daisy Ridley).
Outside the more standard “best-friend” duo (like Han and Chewie), such a pairing typically involves a mentor or parental figure and a student of some kind, whether a Jedi Master and their padawan, or, in the case of The Mandalorian, a stoic bounty hunter and a Force-wielding child.
Related: ‘Star Wars’ Duo Could Get Their Own Film Trilogy Despite an Underappreciated Start
The Mando-Verse Is Failing
While The Mandalorian remains the flagship Disney+ series, having spawned spinoffs such as The Book of Boba Fett (2021), Ahsoka (2023), and Skeleton Crew (2024), while also running for three seasons itself, all of which take place during the New Republic era (dubbed the “Mando-Verse”), the once-untouchable series has seemingly had its time in the Twin Suns of Tatooine.
Not only did the third season, released in 2023, receive mixed to negative reviews from viewers, but the big-screen continuation, The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), which arrived in theaters on May 22, is considered to have been a box-office disappointment.
What the future holds for Din and Grogu is unclear; however, they’re unlikely to return for a fourth season of The Mandalorian, which is reportedly no longer on the cards. As for the Mando-Verse as a whole, the only project that’s in development is Ahsoka Season 2.
Mando and Grogu Are Being Replaced
Now, Disney and Lucasfilm are preparing the next major theatrical release, Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), which releases on May 28, 2027. And the “lone wolf and cub” trend is set to continue in that film, with Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray, the two leads, reportedly playing a pilot and Force-sensitive child.
While character names and details have not been shared, we already know a bit about the film.
According to StarWars.com, Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and written by Jonathan Tropper, takes place five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and is described as “an all-new standalone adventure” and “an entirely original story set in a period of time never before explored in Star Wars.”
A photo of Gosling and Gray out at sea on an unknown planet was also shared to social media:
As for plot specifics, Gosling’s hero is reportedly tasked with transporting Gray’s allegedly Force-sensitive teenager through the galaxy to an unspecified destination, all the while being hunted by villains portrayed by actors Matt Smith and Mia Goth.
Recently, Deadline reported that early footage from Star Wars: Starfighter had been shown at CineEurope. No details about what was seen have been shared, although it’s now expected that an official reveal will happen at D23, which takes place August 14–16 in Anaheim, California.
While new reports with plot and character specifics have now begun to emerge following that footage, Lucasfilm has yet to verify these details.
Whether Starfighter‘s lead wolf/cub duo will replace Din Djarin and Grogu in the eyes of Star Wars fans remains to be seen. Either way, if the critical and commercial performance of their theatrical outing is anything to go by, the latter pair have likely had their time.
Of course, Grogu will undoubtedly always be popular. But with that said, even though the latest Star Wars film failed to ignite the box office (and fan excitement), the adorable, pint-sized Force-wielder continues to dominate toy shelves everywhere.
Star Wars: Starfighter releases in theaters on May 28, 2027.
The film also stars Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.
Do you think it’s time Din Djarin and Grogu disappeared for a while? And are you excited about Starfighter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
