Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni don't want to let fans down with Mandalorian movie popcorn bucket

In May 2026, the highly anticipated Star Wars film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, hits theaters. While this is certain to dominate the summer box office next year, there is already an internal debate brewing.

It's not about casting or the director's vision. The debate isn't about Grogu's Force powers or how Din Djarin will caretake for the growing Force-sensitive explorer. This discussion between director Jon Favreau and his co-writer for the screenplay Dave Filoni is much more sensitive.

"What popcorn bucket should this movie market to fans?"

Primarily among novelty audiences, movie-themed popcorn buckets have become remarkably popular. They are now collectors' items or an attuned souvenir that helps fans reflect on the latest superhero, science-fiction, or fantasy film. Of course, the purpose of these unique popcorn buckets is an economic driver for the movie chain, but now the inspiration for these feast barrels has become the stuff of legend.

What Force Bucket Will This Film Offer?

In an exclusive with Collider, Dave Filoni (now Lucasfilm's chief creative officer) and Jon Favreau sat down to discuss the 2026 film, the trajectory of the Mandalorian's growth, and, of course, popcorn buckets.

Favreau's comments in the interview leads fans to believe the marketing muscle hasn't been flexed yet, so he was uncertain about the makings of this new bucket. However, given how Lucasfilm and Star Wars are the progenitors of movie marketing, all toys and collectibles for the future project will be amazing, on a shelf or somewhere on eBay.

"“That's a great question that has not been reached yet. Subject has not been broached yet I mean, Star Wars, as you could see from walking the floor, as much as it's, we grew up at a time when you got to see it in the movie theater, and when it was out of the movie theater, all you had was the album and the toys. And toys were a big part of it. And when we plan new designs, we think about what's it going to be like as a collectible or as a toy. Yeah. And also, we think about what was a collectible or a toy that was never really in the movies. And we get a lot of inspiration from that. Now the popcorn bucket has become a thing. So I don't know. “"

Jon Favreau

As Favreau later said, "It has to be Grogu, right?" Yes, it does, but let's not sleep on the joy of having a Mandalorian bucket or soda topper either. It is definitely a thing, as previous marketing cycles and social media have proven:

For the recent Minecraft explosion...

Alien: Romulus had a respectable run in theaters, but this bucket was "fan"-tastic.

The Michael Keaton homage was strong with the nod to fashion in Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.

The Gladiator II helmet was particularly fetching.

Some horror fans were even able to take home some "Art."

Whatever buckets you purchase and collect, may the Force be with you. That may be necessary to get the additional 10 pounds off your belly from all that popcorn.