Sigourney Weaver on Grogu: Stealing Hearts at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver played a significant role in the *The Mandalorian & Grogu* panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and IGN had the privilege of interviewing her about her new character, her initial unfamiliarity with *The Mandalorian* series, her affection for Grogu, and her thoughts on whether Grogu could outmatch a Xenomorph in power.

*The Mandalorian & Grogu* is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the anticipation and provide fans with insights into one of the latest additions to the iconic Star Wars universe.

**IGN:** Sigourney, thank you so much for joining us! We were thrilled to see your character in the *The Mandalorian & Grogu* panel, and it looks like she was wearing a Rebel pilot uniform. Can you tell us more about your character?

**Sigourney Weaver:** Absolutely, she was indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's her origin. Currently, she's still a pilot dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic. She operates out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, making her collaboration with the Mandalorian and his loyal companion essential.

**IGN:** We heard your love for Grogu influenced your decision to join this project. What was it like working with him?

**Weaver:** Grogu is incredibly mischievous, which I'm sure won't surprise anyone. It's fascinating because, in every scene with him, there were multiple puppeteers, each responsible for different movements. Yet, all I ever saw was Grogu himself. He felt incredibly real to me.

**IGN:** You've worked with various alien species throughout your career, from Xenomorphs to Na'vi. How does working with Grogu compare?

**Weaver:** Grogu is undoubtedly the cutest. If we place Xenomorphs and Slimer on one end of the spectrum, Grogu is far beyond them in terms of cuteness. In Japan, they'd call it Kawaii!

**IGN:** You mentioned at the panel that you hadn't seen *The Mandalorian* before working on this. What was your experience like watching the series after joining the project?

**Weaver:** I feel incredibly fortunate because Jon Favreau never pressured me to watch it. I was just excited to work with him on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I appreciated the concept. It felt like a classic Western with unexpected twists, and I found it charming. It was a great way to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which has so many different projects that it can be confusing to keep track. This standalone story was engaging and kept building, with wonderful characters like Din Djarin and Grogu, alongside formidable villains like Werner Herzog. I was constantly wondering what Herzog's plans were for the little creature – it's too terrifying to contemplate.

**IGN:** In the footage we saw today, you shared a scene with Grogu. He seemed to be using his Force powers to try and steal some food from you?

**Weaver:** Yes, he was after my little bowl of snacks. He was making his Force gestures, and I was fortunate to get them back. I had to be quite firm with him.

**IGN:** Do you get to witness Grogu's Force powers in full effect in this movie?

**Weaver:** Grogu is always up to something. Whenever I'm with him, I see what he does when he's relaxed at our base. It's clear he's transitioning from a learning creature to someone with real skills. He's now truly an apprentice, and you can see a significant difference from the series. It's a testament to how Star Wars can draw everyone back in, expanding in all directions. It's quite remarkable.

**IGN:** I'm curious about your journey to this project and your overall experience with Star Wars, starting from the very first movie. What's your favorite film in the series?

**Weaver:** *Rogue One* is my favorite. I really connected with Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with my generation's connection to The Rebellion. Revisiting the other films felt like a nostalgic journey back to childhood. Star Wars has a way of welcoming everyone back, no matter where they come from. It's an amazing phenomenon.

**IGN:** Final question. Who's more powerful in the universe, Grogu or a Xenomorph?

**Weaver:** I believe it's the Xenomorph. It's not that I doubt Grogu's power, but the Xenomorph's nature is to take over, destroy, and promote its kind. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are on the side of good, which inherently makes them less destructive. Grogu's too cute to be truly threatening, though, as we saw, his path could have been different if he'd stayed with Werner Herzog.