Unless you started your 24-episode re-watch of The Mandalorian a while ago, odds are you won’t be able to binge the entire series before next week. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Set after the events of the series so far, The Mandalorian and Grogu opens May 22. In addition to being the first Star Wars movie in seven years, it’s the first time a Star Wars TV show has been adapted to the big screen. Luckily, co-writer and director Jon Favreau has said he didn’t want to make the show required viewing. Instead, he drew inspiration from Star Wars creator George Lucas and just drops us in the middle of a story everyone can understand.
There are, however, a few things to remember from the TV show that we think should help you better understand and appreciate the movie. Let’s run those down.
Father and son
The most significant development from the beginning of The Mandalorian to the start of the movie is the relationship between The Mandalorian himself, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu, aka Baby Yoda. Grogu was initially a target for the bounty hunter, but over the course of three seasons, the pair grew close. And, at the very end of season three, Mando officially adopted Grogu as his son.
The Mandalorian and Colonel Ward – LucasfilmA new work ethic
When The Mandalorian started, Din Djarin was a work-for-hire bounty hunter. Good, bad, whatever. If you paid him, he’d work for you. However, by the end of season three, things have changed for Mando. He’s got his son, he’s seen some crazy stuff, and now, he doesn’t want to work for just anyone. In fact, he went to an old friend of his, New Republic pilot Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee), and proposed that he work only for the New Republic. He wants to use his skills for good.
The legacy of Jabba and the Hutts
Jabba the Hutt may have been killed by Luke Skywalker and his friends on Tatooine during Return of the Jedi, but his legacy of crime and evil remains. That’ll happen when you rule for as long as Jabba did. At the time of his death, Jabba was the most powerful and feared of the Hutts, a slug-like species with incredible intellects and long lifespans.
Jabba wasn’t the only Hutt gangster, though; he was just the most famous and notorious. So, when he died, he left behind not just a terrifying reputation and history of fear, but a vast criminal network. A pair of Hutts called The Twins seemed interested in acquiring that, as seen in the TV show The Book of Boba Fett. Also, Jabba had a son, Rotta, who appeared briefly in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon series. He’s in The Mandalorian and Grogu, but we’ll leave it at that.
Rotta the Hutt – LucasfilmThe Empire is fractured, but not dead
Like the TV show, The Mandalorian and Grogu is set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. So, the Empire has been defeated—thanks to Luke, Leia, Han, and the Rebel Alliance—but it’s not completely gone. Eventually, the First Order will rise, but before that, a New Republic has been born to try to bring stability to the galaxy. As a way to do that, they are working to find people still loyal to the Empire, which is where the Mandalorian comes in.
Grogu is a Mandalorian apprentice
While it’s unclear how much, or if, this comes up in the movie, there is one very important thing to remember about Grogu. Though he is the same species as Yoda, and very strong with the Force, Grogu made a decision not to train with Luke Skywalker as a Jedi. Instead, he’s been adopted by the Mandalorian and is now his apprentice. He was even given a new name, “Din Grogu,” to officially bring him into the family. So, that’s his path, and it will inform everything he does moving ahead.
Another bounty hunter
Trailers for The Mandalorian and Grogu revealed that another bounty hunter appears in the film, one that fans of The Clone Wars TV show will recognize as Embo. This is his live-action debut, and while you shouldn’t need to know much about him, it’s worth noting that he has a pet anooba named Marrok (basically a Star Wars dog) and, at one point, held his own in a fight with Anakin Skywalker. Basically, we know him as a bounty hunter in the mold of the Mandalorian at the start of the show. Incredibly skilled and available to the highest bidder.
© LucasfilmThe Mandalorian’s ship
The Mandalorian used to fly an ST-70 Razor Crest assault ship (which was commonly referred to just as Razor Crest), a big hunk of junk that didn’t look fast, but became fast with all the modifications he made on it. The Razor Crest was then destroyed during the events of the show, so he had to acquire a new vehicle, an N-1 starfighter. Trailers and toys reveal Mando has another Razor Crest-class ship in the film, though so it’s worth remembering the nostalgia he holds for it.
That’s kind of it
Obviously, if you choose to watch all three seasons of The Mandalorian, there’s a ton of other things you’ll go into the film knowing. About Mando’s past, about his relationship to other Mandalorians, and so much more. But since this adventure was made expressly to cater to people who haven’t seen that, we’re guessing most of that won’t be referenced. If it is, though, hopefully the film itself will provide context. Either way, you’re now ready to head to the theater.
The Mandalorian and Grogu opens May 22.
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