After 7 years,The Mandalorian and Groguwill be bringingStar Warsback to the big screen, and this movie fromThe Mandalorianfranchise could also be bringing a major original trilogy character back along with it.The Mandalorianhas been trailblazing ever sinceStar Wars’first live-action TV show premiered in 2019, establishing its very own era that takes place just 5 years after the events of the originalStar Warstrilogy. In that way, the two have always been linked.
Now, ahead ofThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie, it’s becoming even more clear that the original trilogy’s events and characters are closely intertwined with Din Djarin and Grogu’s story - and this movie will strengthen those bonds. Surprisingly, with details about the actual movie itself still sparse, evidence of this comes from a surprising source: Disney Parks. It not only teases what kind of connection is being made, but also the possibility of bringing one major OT character back to the big screen.
The Mandalorian And Grogu Will Be Added To The Millennium Falcon Attraction
This Storyline Hinges On Star Wars' Most Iconic Ship
Star Warshas officially announced thatThe Mandalorian and Groguwill be receiving a storyline in one ofStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’s premier attractions:Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This is significant not only because it bends the current rules of theStar Warsland’s canonical timeline, but also becauseit debuts the same day as the movie itself. As someone who’s fortunate enough to frequentGalaxy’s Edgeand has gone onSmugglers Runcountless times, I know there are huge connections to be made here.
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This is especially the case after the official concept art for the attraction’s storyline came to light. It saw theRazor Crest, a new version of the beloved gunship that will likely fall into Din Djarin’s hands during the events ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu, as teased at last year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, flying alongside theMillennium Falcontowards Cloud City on Bespin. At this point in theStar Warstimeline,only one character would be piloting that iconic Corellian freighter.
This Storyline Needs A Strong Connection Between Din Djarin & The Falcon
It Has To Explain Why Din Djarin Trusts The Falcon
In order for Din Djarin to not only work alongside theFalconin thisSmuggler’s Runstoryline, but also trust it enough to get the job done, there has to be a strong connection between the two. In its current state,Smugglers RunseesHondo Ohnakastriking a deal with Chewbacca between the events ofStar Wars: The Last JediandStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerto lend theFalconto his newly-hired flight crew to steal coaxium from the First Order, offering the Wookiee supplies for the Resistance in return.
This will all have to change forThe Mandalorian and Grogu, which is slated to take place at least 20 years before the events of theStar Warssequel trilogy. In an era where Han Solo is alive and well, it would also make less sense for Hondo to strike a deal with Chewbacca rather than the captain of theFalconhimself. To make matters more confusing, if it remains faithful to the current storyline onSmugglers Run,it should actually be Din Djarin specifically requesting assistance from theFalcon.
Hondo Ohnaka hires flight crews through his company, Ohnaka Transport Solutions, and talks to the crew throughout each flight. It seems likely that this role will go to Din Djarin for the new storyline, even if the ship rental continues to happen through Ohnaka Transport Solutions.
Essentially, there are a dozen different ways I can see the new storyline forSmugglers Rungoing, but all of them lead to one crucial point:The Mandalorian and Groguhas to have some kind of connection to theFalconalready. While Han Solo does lose theFalconat some point between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, it seems too quick for that to happen by the timeThe Mandalorianera begins. What’s more likely is that Han Solo could be a part ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu’s story somehow.
Han Solo Has Always Been Best Suited To Appear In Din Djarin’s Story
He’s Still A Scoundrel, After All
Han Solo returning inThe Mandalorian and Grogumakes plenty of sense outside this setup forSmugglers Run, ashe’s always been the most organic addition to the overall storyline ofThe Mandalorianfranchise. This era has often dealt with the galaxy’s Underworld, from bounty hunters to smugglers and other scoundrels - just like Han Solo himself. For that reason alone, I could very easily see this beloved scoundrel-turned-general becoming a part of Din Djarin’s story.
The Mandalorian’s Complete Timeline Explained: From Din Djarin & Grogu’s Introduction To Mandalore’s Liberation
Beginning in 2019, The Mandalorian’s story has become absolutely essential to the Star Wars narrative. This is the complete timeline of its events.
He’s also the only originalStar Warstrilogy character from the main trio who has yet to be mentionedor glimpsed inThe Mandalorianfranchise. Luke Skywalker’s return inThe Mandalorianseason 2 finale will always be iconic, and even Leia Organa herself was mentioned in theAhsokaseries, which takes place concurrently with the events ofThe Mandalorian. Between the attraction based around theFalconand this clear chain of logic, it seems more than likely that Han Solo’sStar Warsreturn could happen inThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Cast
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a Star Wars movie directed by Jon Favreau that continues Disney+’s immensely popular TV Show, The Mandalorian.
