Sigourney Weaver on Grogu: Stealing Hearts at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver made a significant impact at Star Wars Celebration 2025 during The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and IGN had the privilege of discussing her role in the upcoming film. Weaver shared insights on her new character, her initial unfamiliarity with the series, her affection for Grogu, and even compared the power dynamics between Grogu and a Xenomorph.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the anticipation and provide fans with a deeper understanding of the latest addition to the Star Wars universe.

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 maybe wearing a Rebel pilot uniform? What can you tell us about your character at this point?

Sigourney Weaver: My character indeed wears a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's how she started out. Now, she continues as a pilot, working to protect the New Republic. She's stationed out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, and she relies on individuals like the Mandalorian and his loyal companion.

IGN: We heard that your love of Grogu was one of the reasons you decided to take on this role, so what was it like to actually work with him?

Weaver: Grogu is incredibly mischievous, which I'm sure comes as no surprise. In every scene with him, there were multiple puppeteers, each managing different aspects of his movements. Despite the presence of these puppeteers, all I could see was Grogu. He felt completely real to me.

IGN: You’ve worked with a variety of aliens throughout your career, from Xenomorphs to Na’vi. How did working with Grogu compare?

Weaver: Grogu is by far the cutest. If you imagine a spectrum with Xenomorphs on one end and Slimer on the other, Grogu is far beyond that. In Japan, they would call him '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 felt incredibly fortunate because Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to watch the series. I was excited to work with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the first episode, I was captivated by the concept—a classic Western with unique twists. It was a charming way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can be confusing with its many projects. The standalone story of Din Djarin and Grogu, along with compelling antagonists like Werner Herzog, made for an engaging experience. I couldn't help but worry about what Herzog's character might do to Grogu!

IGN: Looking forward, you're featured prominently in the footage we saw this morning. We saw you sharing a scene with Grogu, where he was using his Force powers to try to steal a dish of food from you. What was that like?

Weaver: Yes, it was a bowl of snacks that belonged to me, and Grogu was making his little Force gestures to take them. I'm just glad I managed to get them back; I had to be quite assertive.

IGN: Do you get to see Grogu use his Force powers in all their glory in this movie?

Weaver: Grogu is always up to something. When I'm with him, I get to see what he does when he's more relaxed at the home base. However, it's clear that he's transitioning from a learning creature to one with genuine skills. In the series, you can see a marked difference as he becomes more of an apprentice.

IGN: I'm still very 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 is my favorite. I really appreciated Felicity Jones's character, and it resonates with my generation's connection to The Rebellion. Revisiting the other films felt like a trip back to my childhood. Star Wars has a way of drawing everyone back in, expanding in all directions. It's truly remarkable.

IGN: Last question. Who is the most powerful being in the universe? Grogu or a Xenomorph?

Weaver: I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph.

IGN: Why do you think that is?

Weaver: Because a Xenomorph can't help but take over, destroy, and promote its species. Yoda, whom I associate with Grogu, is too wise for such destructive behavior. He's on the side of good, and so is Grogu, of course.

IGN: And he’s just too cute to be all that threatening, right?

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