While mostStar Warsmovies follow a formula the franchise is expected to adhere to,The Mandalorian and Grogucan defy tradition and include something the films have never had. Picking up whereThe Mandalorianseason 3 left off,The Mandalorian & Groguwill continue the adventures of Din Djarin and his now-adopted son, kicking off the next wave ofupcomingStar Warsmoviesin 2026 and 2027. It will be the firstStar Warsmovie released since 2019’sStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerand the franchise’s first spinoff film sinceSolo: A Star Wars Storyin 2018.
The Mandalorian & Groguwill also be the first film released as the next chapter of aStar WarsTV show. This puts the film in a position to differentiate itself from previousStar Warsmoviesand set a precedent for what filmmakers can do in upcoming releases. One way Jon Favreau and his team can do this is by including something that has been done in the TV shows but never in aStar Warsmovie, bringingThe Mandalorian & Groguto a close while teasing the franchise’s next big project.
A new way to build hype for the next release
Custom Image by Corey Larson
As a spinoff film,The Mandalorian & Groguwould have an easier time going againstStar Warstradition by including a post-credits scene. With so many TV shows in production alongside theStar Warsmovies,a post-credit scene would help clarify which release audiences should anticipate nextand create excitement for future stories. This strategy worked effectively withThe Mandalorianseason 2’s post-credits scene, which set upThe Book of Boba Fettas the next chapter in the Mandoverse saga for viewers who may have only anticipatedThe Mandalorianseason 3.
Though they have come close
Considering how common post-credits scenes are nowadays for franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s hard to believe thatStar Warsmovies have never had any. The closest example is 1999’sStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which featured audio of Darth Vader’s breathing at the end of the credits, reminding viewers of Anakin Skywalker’s fate.The 25th-anniversary re-release ofThe Phantom Menacealso featured a sneak preview ofThe Acolyteseason 1, similar to how the 2022 IMAX re-release ofRogue One: A Star Wars Storyshowed footage ofAndorseason 1.
The closest example is 1999’sStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which featured audio of Darth Vader’s breathing at the end of the credits, reminding viewers of Anakin Skywalker’s fate.
Perhaps these more recent examples have prepared audiences for the idea of aStar Warspost-credits scene, but not all fans will readily accept a break from tradition.Post-credits scenes are no longer as special as they used to be before the MCU, and the relatively short wait between newStar Warsreleases may make one feel pointless. However,Star Warsshould also be free to experiment, so adding a unique post-credits scene to tie stories together could be interesting.Star Warsfans must wait until 2026 to know ifThe Mandalorian & Groguwill break tradition.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Cast
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a Star Wars movie directed by Jon Favreau that continues Disney+’s immensely popular TV Show, The Mandalorian.
