Sigourney Weaver on Grogu's Charm at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver played a significant role in the highly anticipated The Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and IGN had the privilege of interviewing her about her new character, her experience with the show, her affection for Grogu, and an intriguing comparison between Grogu and a Xenomorph.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the wait and provide fans with insights into one of the newest characters in 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 wearing a Rebel pilot uniform? What can you tell us about your character at this point?

Sigourney Weaver: Well, she was wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's her origin. Now, she's still a pilot and is actively working to protect the New Republic. She's stationed out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she needs allies like the Mandalorian and his faithful companion.

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

Weaver: Grogu is very mischievous, which I'm sure won't surprise anyone. In every scene with Grogu, there were several puppeteers, each responsible for different movements. Yet, no matter how many puppeteers were around him, all I saw was Grogu. He truly feels real to me.

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

Weaver: He's definitely the cutest. If Xenomorphs are on one end of the spectrum and Slimer on the other, Grogu is way past the line. The Japanese would call it Kawaii!

IGN: You mentioned in the panel that you hadn't seen The Mandalorian before starting this project. What was it like watching the episodes afterward?

Weaver: I feel incredibly fortunate because Jon Favreau never insisted that I watch the show. I was thrilled to work with him on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I found the concept charming—a great old Western with a few surprises. It was a wonderful way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, especially since the various projects can be confusing. This standalone story kept building, and I found Din Djarin and Grogu to be wonderful characters, alongside great antagonists like Werner Herzog. The entire time, I was on edge, wondering what Herzog's character would do to Grogu.

IGN: In the footage we saw this morning, you were sharing a scene with Grogu, and he was using his Force powers to try to steal a dish of food. Can you tell us more about that?

Weaver: Yes, it was a little bowl of snacks that were mine, and he was making his little Force gestures. I'm lucky I got them back; I had to be quite forceful.

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

Weaver: He's always up to something. When I'm with him, I see what he does when he's relaxed at the home base. However, I feel like Grogu is transitioning from a learning creature to someone with real skills. He's now an apprentice, and there's a noticeable difference from his portrayal in the series. It shows there's a way for everyone to reconnect with Star Wars, and the story can go in many directions. It's quite amazing.

IGN: Can you share your experience with Star Wars in general, from the very first movie to now? Do you have a favorite from the series?

Weaver: Yes, Rogue One is my favorite. I really enjoyed Felicity Jones's character, and being part of The Rebellion resonated with me. Revisiting the older films felt like a nostalgic journey back to my childhood. It shows that there's a way for everyone to find their path back into Star Wars, and the franchise keeps evolving in exciting ways.

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

Weaver: Well, it's not that I don't believe in Grogu, but I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph.

IGN: Why do you think that is?

Weaver: Because a Xenomorph can't help itself; it's driven to take over, destroy, and promote its species. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are too wise to engage in such destruction. They're on the side of good, and Grogu clearly follows that path.

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?