Sigourney Weaver played a prominent role in The Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and IGN had the opportunity to discuss her new character with her. She shared that she hadn't seen any episodes of The Mandalorian before joining the cast, how Grogu captured her affection, and even whether she believes Grogu is more powerful than a Xenomorph.
The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. We hope this conversation makes the wait a little easier and offers a glimpse into one of the latest additions to that beloved galaxy far, far away.
IGN: Sigourney, thank you so much for being here! We were delighted to see your character featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and it appeared she might have been dressed in a Rebel pilot uniform. What can you share about your character at this stage?
Sigourney Weaver: Well, she was indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, which reflects her background. These days, she remains a pilot and is among those dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic. She’s stationed in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she could really use the help of someone like the Mandalorian and his loyal companion.
IGN: We understand your fondness for Grogu was a factor in your decision to join the project. What was it like to actually work alongside him?
Weaver: Grogu is quite the troublemaker—though I doubt that comes as a surprise. It’s amusing because in every scene with Grogu, multiple puppeteers were involved, each responsible for different actions. But no matter how many people were operating him, all I ever saw was Grogu. I still believe he’s real.
IGN: Throughout your career, you’ve encountered all sorts of extraterrestrials, from Xenomorphs to the Na’vi. How did working with Grogu compare?
Weaver: He’s easily the most adorable. If Xenomorphs are on one end of the spectrum and Slimer is somewhere in the middle, Grogu is in a league of his own. I believe the Japanese call it Kawaii!IGN: You mentioned during the panel that you hadn’t watched The Mandalorian before starting work on the film. So, what was it like finally diving into all those episodes?
Weaver: I consider myself fortunate because Jon Favreau never pressured me by saying, “You have to watch the show!” I was simply excited to be part of it and collaborate with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I thought the premise was brilliant—it felt like a classic Western with some unexpected twists. I found it utterly charming, and it was a perfect way for me to reconnect with the Star Wars universe, especially since there have been so many different projects that it’s easy to lose track of the timeline.
This felt like a self-contained narrative that kept gaining momentum, and I thought Din Djarin and his tiny partner were fantastic characters, alongside memorable villains like Werner Herzog. The whole time, I kept wondering, “What was he planning to do to that little creature?!” It’s too awful to contemplate.
IGN: That’s fantastic. Looking ahead, we saw you in the footage shown this morning. You shared a scene with Grogu where he used his Force abilities to attempt to steal… was it a plate of food or something similar?
Weaver: Yes. It was a small bowl of snacks that belonged to me. He started making his little Force gestures, and I was just fortunate to get them back. I had to be pretty firm about it.
IGN: On that note, do you get to witness Grogu unleashing his Force powers in their full magnitude in this film?
Weaver: Well, he’s constantly up to something. So, as long as I’m around him, I get to observe his behavior when he’s more at ease at the home base. Still, I sensed that Grogu was evolving from a curious learner into a being with genuine abilities. He’s truly the apprentice now, and I noticed a significant growth from what was shown in the series.It demonstrates that there’s always a path back into Star Wars for everyone, and the story continues to expand in so many directions. It’s truly remarkable.
IGN: I’m still curious about how you became involved in this project and your overall history with Star Wars, going all the way back to the original film. With everything we’ve witnessed so far, do you have a favorite movie from the saga?
Weaver: Yes, I’d say Rogue One. I was really drawn to Felicity Jones’s character, and I’m glad that was the one I saw, because I see myself as part of the Rebellion generation. I watched the other films a long time ago, and revisiting them was wonderful—it felt like stepping back into my childhood. It shows that there’s always a way back into Star Wars, and the universe keeps growing in every direction. It’s quite extraordinary.IGN: One last question. Who do you think is the most powerful entity in the universe: Grogu or a Xenomorph?
Weaver: Well, it’s not that I doubt his abilities, but I’m afraid the Xenomorph takes the title.
IGN: Why do you say that?
Weaver: Because the Xenomorph can’t control its instincts. It’s driven to dominate, destroy, and propagate its species. From what I recall of Yoda, he was far too wise to engage in such behavior. He wasn’t a destructive force—he stood for good, and I believe Grogu does too, of course.IGN: And he’s just too cute to be truly menacing, isn’t he?
Weaver: Well, think about it—if he had remained with Werner Herzog, who knows what he might have turned into?
