Sigourney Weaver played a significant role in the excitement surrounding The Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025. IGN had the privilege of interviewing her about her new character in the upcoming film, her experience working with Grogu, and her thoughts on the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026, and this interview offers valuable insights into one of the latest additions to the iconic galaxy far, far away.
IGN: Sigourney, thank you so much for joining us! We were thrilled to see your character in The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and it looks like she was wearing a Rebel pilot uniform? What can you tell us about your character at this point?
Sigourney Weaver: Well, she was wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's how she came up. Now, she's still a pilot and works to protect the New Republic. She's out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire persist, so she needs allies like the Mandalorian and his faithful companion.
IGN: We heard that your love for Grogu was one of the reasons you decided to take on this role. What was it like to actually work with him?
Weaver: Grogu is very mischievous, which won't surprise anyone. In every scene, there were several puppeteers managing different aspects of his movements. However, all I saw was Grogu. I genuinely believe he's real.
IGN: You've worked with many types of aliens in your career, from Xenomorphs to Na'vi. How does working with Grogu compare?
Weaver: He's definitely the cutest. If Xenomorphs and Slimer are at one end of the spectrum, Grogu is way beyond cute. The Japanese call it Kawaii!
IGN: So, you mentioned in the panel that you hadn't seen The Mandalorian before you started working on this. What was it like finally watching all those episodes?
Weaver: I feel so lucky because Jon Favreau didn't insist that I start watching. I was thrilled to work with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the first episode, I found it charming—a great old Western with surprises. It was a fantastic way for me to re-enter the Star Wars world, which can be confusing with its various projects. This standalone story was wonderful, building with characters like Din Djarin and Grogu, alongside great villains like Werner Herzog. I was always wondering what Herzog would do to Grogu.
IGN: In the footage we saw, you were sharing a scene with Grogu, and he was using his Force powers to try to steal a dish of food. Can you tell us more about that?
Weaver: Yes, it was a little bowl of snacks that were mine, and he was doing his Force gestures. I'm just lucky I got them back. I had to be quite forceful.
IGN: Do you get to see Grogu use his Force powers in all their glory in this movie?
Weaver: He's always trying something. When I'm with him at the home base, I see what he does when he's relaxed. Grogu is transitioning from a learning creature to someone with real skills. He's now an apprentice, and there's a significant difference from what we saw in the series.
IGN: I'm interested in how you came to this project and your experience with Star Wars in general, dating back to the very first movie. Do you have a favorite movie from the series?
Weaver: Yes, I think Rogue One. I really liked Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with my generation as members of The Rebellion. Seeing the other movies again was like revisiting my childhood. Star Wars offers a way for everyone to engage and keep the story going in all directions. It's quite an amazing thing.
IGN: Last question. Who is the most powerful being in the universe? Grogu or a Xenomorph?
Weaver: Well, it's not that I don't believe in him, but I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph.
IGN: Why do you think that is?
Weaver: Because a Xenomorph can't help itself. It has to take over, destroy, and promote its group. Yoda, whom Grogu follows, is too wise for that. He's not destructive; he's on the side of good, and I think Grogu is too.
IGN: And he's just too cute to be all that threatening, right?
Weaver: Well, listen, if he stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what he would have become?
