The Super Bowl is no longer just the biggest sporting event of the year in the United States. Over the past decades, it has become one of the most powerful marketing stages in the world of cinema. During the NFL championship game, Hollywood studios spend millions to debut trailers for their most anticipated films, turning the “Big Game” into an unmissable event even for non-sports fans.
This year, during the clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, attention may shift from the field to the screen once again. According to industry rumors, Lucasfilm could use this global spotlight to relaunch Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, the movie set to bring Star Wars back to theaters on May 20, 2026.
After seven years of Star Wars storytelling exclusively on Disney+, the franchise is finally making its long-awaited return to cinemas. The Mandalorian & Grogu is not just another chapter it represents a crucial test for the future of Star Wars as a theatrical brand.
However, excitement has been relatively muted so far. The first trailer, while visually polished, felt restrained and deliberately vague, lacking the epic scale fans usually associate with Star Wars’ big-screen releases. For many viewers, it felt closer to a Disney+ teaser than a bold cinematic statement.
That’s exactly why the Super Bowl matters.
A recent Deadline report suggests that The Mandalorian & Grogu is expected to debut a Super Bowl trailer alongside major releases such as:
Toy Story 5
Minions 3
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Hoppers
Scream 7
Michael
Disclosure Day
Notably absent from the list are major superhero films like Avengers: Doomsday, Supergirl, or Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This places The Mandalorian & Grogu among the most high-profile moments of the entire broadcast, with significantly less competition for attention.
With tens of millions of viewers worldwide, the Super Bowl has the power to reshape public perception. For Lucasfilm, it’s a rare chance to reposition the movie not as an extension of Disney+ storytelling, but as a true cinematic event, in the tradition of classic Star Wars films.
Directed by Jon Favreau and co-written with Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian & Grogu brings the interconnected Disney+ era of Star Wars to the big screen. The film is set shortly after the fall of the Galactic Empire, during a time when the New Republic struggles to establish order while Imperial warlords continue to exert power from the shadows.
At the center of the story is Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, whose journey has evolved dramatically. No longer just a lone bounty hunter, Mando is now actively working alongside the “good guys,” becoming a key figure in the fragile balance of the galaxy.
As Jon Favreau explained in an interview with Empire Magazine:
“The Mandalorian has changed his priorities. The relationship between Mando and Grogu is the foundation of the film. Star Wars is always about growth, apprenticeship, and generations influencing each other.”
Grogu’s continued connection to the Force remains central, reinforcing the emotional core that made The Mandalorian a global phenomenon.
The film introduces Colonel Ward, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, a veteran of the Resistance who recruits Din Djarin for missions on behalf of the New Republic. Among the emerging threats is Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba, voiced by Jeremy Allen White, signaling a return to the criminal underworld that has always been part of Star Wars’ DNA.
Other notable elements include:
Zeb Orrelios, making his long-awaited live-action debut after Star Wars: Rebels
The return of the Anzellans, first seen with Babu Frik
New Imperial warlords and mercenary factions
While appearances by Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, or Bo-Katan are unconfirmed, the film clearly builds on the broader post-Return of the Jedi narrative established on Disney+.
As with every major Star Wars release, The Mandalorian & Grogu is inseparable from collectibles and merchandising. Early leaks suggest that the first Black Series action figure from the movie will be a deluxe Mandalorian & Grogu set, rumored to retail around $40.
Leaked images circulating via YouTube and collector communities reveal several intriguing details:
A new rifle for Din Djarin
A short sword, potentially replacing the Darksaber after its transfer to Bo-Katan
Multiple accessories including blasters, jetpack, vibro knife, and Amban sniper rifle
The inclusion of a sword is particularly noteworthy, hinting at closer, more personal combat scenarios in the film and reflecting Din’s growth after three seasons of character development.
While rumors suggest additional figures such as Zeb Orrelios, Colonel Ward, Carson Teva, Embo, Snowtrooper variants, Hutts, and more, some collectors remain cautious. After years of Mandalorian merchandise and rising prices $28 for standard figures and $40+ for deluxe sets the market may be approaching saturation.
That said, Star Wars history has shown time and again that new planets, iconic scenes, and strong visual storytelling can reignite collector enthusiasm almost overnight.
For diorama builders, the promise of:
Imperial remnants
AT-AT battles
Snowy and desert planets
Criminal Hutt environments
offers enormous creative potential.
Everything now hinges on the Super Bowl trailer. Fans are hoping for a proper cinematic trailer, with an acceptable runtime, that finally showcases the film’s true scale: compelling storytelling, memorable new characters, and brand-new worlds to explore.
If Lucasfilm delivers, this trailer could be the moment when fan passion for Star Wars fully reignites, reminding the world why the saga belongs on the big screen.
At Galaxy Diorama, we are ready.
Ready to turn new planets into dioramas, new locations into physical environments, and iconic moments into dedicated STL files inspired by The Mandalorian & Grogu.
If the trailer makes us dream again, the galaxy won’t just return to theaters it will come alive, one scale model at a time.
