Not long ago, in this same galaxy, audiences watched on their televisions as a helmeted bounty hunter encountered a mysterious, big-eyed alien child, and “Star Wars” was changed forever.
After charming fans for three (and a half) seasons, the Mandalorian and Grogu, the once anonymous child unofficially nicknamed Baby Yoda, who has since been promoted to main character status, will hit the big screen on Friday. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” will see the duo take a New Republic job that will bring them into the orbit of a familiar “Star Wars” crime family: the Hutts.
Directed by “The Mandalorian” creator Jon Favreau, the film takes place some time after the events of the show's third season, which concluded in 2023. In the Season 3 finale, gunslinging warrior Din Djarin officially adopted his Force-sensitive charge, whose full name later became Din Grogu, and accepted him as a true Mandalorian apprentice.
Needing to be a little more picky with the jobs he does while training his son, Mando became a hired gun for the New Republic, helping them track down remaining Imperial sympathizers and others who threaten the tenuous peace of the galaxy.
Premiering in 2019, “The Mandalorian” was meant to appeal to “Star Wars” faithful while also being an entry point for those new to the franchise. The show has developed its own history over the years as characters from other movies and shows joined the fight to expand the show's imprint on the “Star Wars” canon.
Here's a spoiler-free rundown of what you need to know about the Mandalorian, Grogu, and the rest of the players taking center stage in the first “Star Wars” movie since 2019.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu have been hunting down Imperial war criminals for the New Republic.
(Lucasfilm)
Do I need to watch 'The Mandalorian' before watching 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'?
Not exactly! Although the film is a continuation of the series, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is a standalone story that does not require any “Star Wars” assignments. The main points to know are that Mando is a bounty hunter for the good guys and Grogu is his adopted son and Force-sensitive apprentice.
Of course, there are Easter eggs and references throughout the film for those who have followed “The Mandalorian” and other “Star Wars” series, so there is an added reward for those who are familiar with the world.
What should I watch to know everything about the Mandalorian and Grogu?
For the full story of the adorable father-son duo, watch seasons 1 and 2 of “The Mandalorian,” then episodes 5-7 of “The Book of Boba Fett,” and end with season 3 of “The Mandalorian.”
Those 27 episodes cover Mando and the boy's first meeting, their travels as the bounty hunter becomes increasingly protective of his charge, the Mandalorian's quest to reunite Grogu with the Jedi, the young man's eating habits, Mandalorian history, and more.
The Twins are cousins of Jabba the Hutt.
(Lucasfilm)
What else should I watch to know everything about 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'?
Those interested in doing their full “Star Wars” homework (with extra credit) will want to revisit the entire seven-episode season of “The Book of Boba Fett” instead of just the Mandalorian and Grogu episodes. The show includes the first appearance of the Twins, cousins of the deceased Jabba the Hutt who are interested in what remains of his criminal enterprise.
Meanwhile, Rotta the Hutt is introduced as a baby in the 2008 animated film “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” In the film, which takes place between the events of “Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, Rotta is kidnapped as part of a plan to turn Jabba against the Republic, but does not reveal much else about him. Anyone willing to catch all the Easter eggs should also watch the animated series “The Clone Wars.”
A familiar bounty hunter from the animated series “The Clone Wars” has also been seen in the trailers for “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” While Embo didn't have much screen time, he can be glimpsed among the scum and villainy in a handful of episodes, including Season 2, Episode 17, Season 5, Episode 14, and Season 6, Episode 5.
Those curious about the backstory of Zeb Orrelios, who first appeared in live-action among other former Rebellion fighters at the Adelphi base in “The Mandalorian” season 3, episode 5, should watch “Star Wars Rebels.” Key episodes focusing on Zeb, a Lestat warrior whose people were nearly wiped out for facing the Empire, include Season 1, Episode 3, and Season 2, Episodes 14 and 17.
However, none of these other installments are crucial to following the events of the new film.
Bai, from left, Clang, Keeto and Grogu in “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
(Lucasfilm)
What's with those cute alien mechanics that even Grogu seems obsessed with?
The tiny aliens are the Anzellans, described as “the best droid makers in the Outer Rim” when Mando and Grogu introduce them to them in “The Mandalorian” Season 3, Episode 1. However, the first Anzellan to appear on screen was Babu Frik in “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker,” which, in the “Star Wars” timeline, takes place after the events of “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
