'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Ending Explained, Revealing the Future of Star Wars

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Star Wars returns to the big screen for the first time in seven years with The Mandalorian and Grogu, with the titular bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his foundling pal Grogu making their theatrical debuts. But was their transfer to the big screen worth the wait, extra budget, and the cancellation of the show's fourth season? Well, it's complicated. The Mandalorian and Grogu comes off much like the way the show's fourth season could have played out, except it's condensed into a singular theatrical movie format. Mando and Grogu pursue an unusual bounty for the New Republic, and their new boss, Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver). However, there are many twists and turns along the way, including the return of characters familiar to fans of the live-action television series and even the older animated shows. And what about the wider plot with the Imperial Remnant and Grand Admiral Thrawn's (Lars Mikkelsen) evil machinations? It's time to dive into how these elements tie together in the ending of The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Who Are the Main Villains of 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'?

Ultimately, it turns out that the Hutt Twins are the main villains of the movie. The duo makes a deal with the New Republic to retrieve their nephew, Rotta (Jeremy Allen White), and in exchange, they will reveal the whereabouts of the Imperial warlord, Admiral Coin, whom no one has ever seen. However, the Hutt Twins were feeding information to both sides — which complicates the whole affair. After Mando and Rotta escape a death match from the black market salt crystal dealer, Janu (Jonny Coyne), Rotta reveals that the missing Imperial warlord Admiral Coin and Janu the same person, leading Zeb and Mando to capture Janu and haul him back to Col. Ward.

This understandably angers the Hutt Twins, who employ the bounty hunter Embo (Dave Filoni) — another Clone Wars alumnus — to recapture Rotta, and Embo kidnaps Mando as well, bringing the armored warrior back to their stronghold. Grogu manages to avoid their fate, and with a group of resourceful Anzellans, they travel to Nal Hutta to rescue his found father, who is forced to fight the Twins' deadly Dragon Snake. Grogu breaks Djarin out of the monster's pit and cares for him as he recovers from the Dragon Snake's poison, which nicely depicts Grogu's growth from the past three seasons, as he now becomes his father's protector.

'The Old Protect the Young, and the Young Protect the Old'

After Mando recovers from his wounds, he and Grogu decide to stay and rescue Rotta, who is being brutally tortured by his aunt and uncle. Mando and Grogu stage a daring rescue into the Hutt Twins' stronghold, which is heavily guarded by the Droid Gotra faction. They engage in battle with massive guard droids, and later, Embo and the Hutt Twins. After freeing Rotta, the heroic Hutt joins the fight, standing up to his relatives. Eventually, the weight of the fight causes the trap door to crumble down, sending the Hutt Twins careening into the lair of the Dragon Snake, and they are devoured by their own deadly pet. Embo and his loyal hound, Marrok, made a strategic exit before his bosses were eaten, so he lives to fight another day.

Although the Hutt Twins are defeated, the trio still faces heavy opposition from the Droid Gotra, and escape appears to be impossible. However, they receive some surprising help. Thanks to the Anzellans, Col. Ward leads the cavalry to attack the Hutt Twins' base, laying waste to their fortress. Mando calls for an airstrike on the main base, allowing the trio an opening to escape, and Adelphi Squadron brings down the Twins' entire operation. With the Hutt Twins defeated and their criminal empire destroyed, Mando, Grogu, and Rotta return to Adelphi Base safe and sound.

Does 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Set Up Future Big-Screen Adventures?

Does the ending of The Mandalorian and Grogu set up further big-screen adventures for the Star Wars franchise? Well, no, not so much. After returning to Adelphi, Mando and Grogu bid farewell to their new comrade-in-arms, Rotta, who opts to stay at Adelphi Base and join the New Republic. Mando shared kind parting words with Col. Ward, who points out to Djarin that he's part of the New Republic, and they watch out for their own. It's a nice moment as Mando now realizes he's part of something bigger, and he's found a new extended family with the Adelphi Rangers. Djarin and Grogu then leave Adelphi in their recently acquired Razor Crest, with Mando letting Grogu take the controls and blasting them off into lightspeed as the credits roll.

But wait a minute, what about Grand Admiral Thrawn, Project Neuromancer, and the Great Mothers? What was in Thrawn's cargo in Ahsoka Season 1? Also, wasn't The Mandalorian and Grogu supposed to lead into a crossover movie with Ahsoka, directed by Dave Filoni? None of that particularly comes out in The Mandalorian and Grogu, other than Col. Ward referencing that the New Republic is determined to find out what the Imperial Remnant is up to. We don't learn about what Admiral Coin reveals, if anything, regarding Thrawn. Instead, The Mandalorian and Grogu focuses more on Mando and Grogu's relationship, Grogu coming into his own as a warrior and apprentice, and Rotta emerging as a more heroic member of the Hutt clan, in contrast to his more brutal relatives.

Nevertheless, The Mandalorian and Grogu still provides a fun theatrical adventure. The level of enjoyment might depend on how much moviegoers have become invested in the titular characters' adventures across three seasons of their television show, and seeing other characters from past animated adventures fully realized in a live-action theatrical format.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is now playing in theaters.