Sigourney Weaver played a significant role in the much-anticipated panel for *The Mandalorian & Grogu* at Star Wars Celebration 2025. IGN had the privilege of sitting down with her to discuss her new character, her unexpected journey into the Star Wars universe without prior viewership of *The Mandalorian*, her affection for Grogu, and a playful comparison between Grogu and the iconic Xenomorph.

*The Mandalorian & Grogu* is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the anticipation and offer fans a deeper look into one of the newest additions to the expansive Star Wars galaxy.

IGN: Sigourney, thank you for joining us! We were thrilled to see your character at the The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and it looked like she might have been wearing a Rebel pilot uniform. Could you tell us more about your character at this stage?

Sigourney Weaver: She was indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's how she was introduced. She's still a pilot, now working to protect the New Republic. She's stationed in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she needs allies like the Mandalorian and his loyal companion.

IGN: We've heard that your affection for Grogu was a significant factor in your decision to take on this role. What was it like working with him?

Weaver: Grogu is incredibly mischievous, which probably won't surprise anyone. It was amusing because, in every scene with him, there were several puppeteers handling different aspects of his movements. Yet, all I saw was Grogu himself. He felt so real to me.

IGN: You've worked with various types of aliens throughout your career, from Xenomorphs to Na'vi. How does working with Grogu compare to those experiences?

Weaver: He's definitely the cutest of them all. If Xenomorphs are at one end of the spectrum and Slimer at the other, Grogu is off the charts. The Japanese would call it "Kawaii"!

IGN: You mentioned during the panel that you hadn't seen The Mandalorian before starting this project. What was it like finally watching all those episodes?

Weaver: I feel fortunate because Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to watch it beforehand. I was thrilled to work with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I appreciated the concept—a classic Western with surprising elements. It was charming and a perfect way for me to reconnect with the Star Wars universe, especially since the different projects can be confusing. The Mandalorian was a great standalone story that built beautifully, with wonderful characters like Din Djarin and Grogu, and formidable villains like Werner Herzog. I was always on edge, wondering what Herzog's character would do to Grogu.

IGN: Looking forward, we saw you in some of the footage today. It looked like Grogu was using his Force powers to try and steal a dish of food from you?

Weaver: Yes, he was trying to steal my little bowl of snacks with his Force gestures. I was lucky to get them back; I had to be quite firm with him.

IGN: Do you get to witness Grogu's Force powers in full effect in this movie?

Weaver: He's always up to something. When I'm with him, I see what he's capable of when he's more relaxed at our base. It's clear that Grogu is transitioning from a learner to someone with real skills. He's now an apprentice, and you can see significant growth from what we saw in the series.

IGN: Could you share more about your journey into this project and your overall experience with Star Wars, starting from the original movie? Do you have a favorite film from the series?

Weaver: My favorite is Rogue One. I really connected with Felicity Jones's character, and as someone from the generation that identifies with the Rebellion, it resonated deeply. Revisiting the other films was like a trip back to my childhood. Star Wars has a way of welcoming everyone back and expanding in countless directions. It's truly remarkable.

IGN: One last question: who do you think is the most powerful being in the universe—Grogu or a Xenomorph?

Weaver: I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph. They can't help but take over and destroy. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are too wise to engage in such destruction. They're on the side of good, and Grogu is obviously following that path.

IGN: And he's just too cute to be threatening, right?

Weaver: Well, if he had stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what he might have become?