Star Wars Expands: ‘Maul – Shadow Lord’ Debuts and ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Moves to Theaters

New Animated Spin‑off

Disney+ has rolled out the first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, an animated series that revisits the fallen Sith lord’s ties to the Death Watch splinter group on Mandalore. The series’ creators shared behind‑the‑scenes trivia, revealing that the show explores Maul’s manipulation of Mandalorian politics and his quest for power after his fall from the Jedi‑trained path.

The Mandalorian’s Big‑Screen Leap

In January 2024, Lucasfilm announced a feature film titled Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, co‑written and directed by Jon Favreau alongside Dave Filoni and Christopher Kloor. Pedro Pascal will reprise his role as Din Djarin, with the story set to continue the bounty hunter’s bond with the child‑like Force‑sensitive Grogu.

Filming began in California in August 2024 and wrapped by December, positioning the movie for a worldwide theatrical release on May 22, 2026—the franchise’s first cinema outing since 2019’s Rise of the Skywalker.

Industry Buzz

Favreau is slated to discuss the film at CinemaCon on April 16, delivering a chat in Caesars Palace’s Octavius Ballroom just before Disney’s broader presentation. The appearance underscores Disney’s strategy to revitalize the Star Wars brand through both streaming series and blockbuster cinema releases.

The dual rollout of Maul – Shadow Lord and The Mandalorian & Grogu signals a coordinated push to deepen the franchise’s mythos while courting both longtime fans and new audiences.