It's safe to say that The Mandalorian and Grogu was one of the most high-profile releases of the year so far. Even so, the Star Wars movie underperformed at the box office. Its isolated performance was fine for a typical movie, but for one attached to one of the biggest film franchises of all time - and one of the most popular Disney Plus shows since the streamer's inception - it underperformed.
Despite a slightly better-than-expected opening weekend, the flick saw a huge 70% decline in its second weekend, leaving Star Wars fans feeling very deflated. Low-budget horror movies Obsession and Backrooms are now catching up to its current box office total of $294 million despite opening lower. Naturally, the futures of Din Djarin and Grogu - as well as that of the Star Wars franchise itself - are unclear. Or, well, at least it seems that way.
The Mandalorian and Grogu sequel could happen, according to Mando actor
There could be a way for more Mandalorian and Grogu stories, it seems. According to Brendan Wayne - one of the three actors credited for playing Din Djarin himself in The Mandalorian and Grogu - there is a future for both of the beloved Star Wars characters. Speaking at Fan Expo Philadelphia last weekend (via: Screen Rant), he was certain that the double act would return, even suggesting which format it could be in.
"We also know, or maybe only I do, that there is definitely a place in the world for more of us...I think the audiences have given us the permission to proceed. I don't know if it's going to be on the small screen or the big screen, my guess is the big screen, but I'm looking forward to it."
Wayne's comments do highlight the crossroads that Din Djarin and Grogu are at. Because both originated in Disney Plus series The Mandalorian, they were supposed to return for a fourth season by now. However, Disney and Lucasfilm's plans changed during the Hollywood strikes, meaning that season 4 ultimately became The Mandalorian and Grogu movie instead. So where does the story go next?
It's a dilemma for sure. If The Mandalorian and Grogu had overperformed at the box office, it would have guaranteed their return but it still wouldn't have answered the questions surrounding the future of the Disney Plus show. With Star Wars going back to movie theaters, it does seem like theatrical releases are once again the future of the franchise but the film's performance wasn't the triumphant performance that the galaxy so far, far away was hoping for.
That said, Wayne's comments do suggest that there is more story to be told for this pair, and that Disney might actually consider telling another story on the big screen despite the film's shortcomings at the box office. And you know what? There is absolutely a case to be made for that!
At the end of the day, $295 million isn't a number to be sneezed at either; there is clearly still a demand for these characters, so their story can't be over. Whether it's on Disney Plus on the big screen, it really doesn't matter because Mando and Grogu still resonate with viewers. And honestly, there is a method to Lucasfilm and Disney's madness here with this seemingly random theatrical release in the midst of The Mandalorian's run.
See, the Star Wars movie cost just north of what a fourth season of the series would have cost (with its final budget coming in somewhere around $144 million) and that's pretty modest compared to a typical $200 - $300 million-costing Star Wars movie. Regardless of whether Mando and Grogu finishes its box office run in the green, it doesn't really matter as it will likely be a profitable outing for the studios anyway.
Not only does Grogu make a lot of merchandising money for the franchise, the film is going to be a massive hit whenever it arrives on Disney Plus considering that the streamer is the home of The Mandalorian - so getting those bumps on top of a solid, box office run should help propel The Mandalorian and Grogu into the green in the long run. With the box office continuing to evolve in today's day and age, you can bet that the film will find similar success to that of the TV show and streaming - making it a long-term success story.
Therefore, it makes sense that there might be more plans for The Mandalorian and Grogu on the silver screen.
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