Sigourney Weaver on Grogu's Charm at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver was a big part of The Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and IGN had the chance to speak with her about her new character, her initial unfamiliarity with The Mandalorian, her affection for Grogu, and even a playful comparison between Grogu and a Xenomorph.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. This interview offers a glimpse into the new character Weaver will portray, easing the anticipation for fans eagerly awaiting this addition to 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: She was indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's her origin. Now, she continues to serve as a pilot, protecting the New Republic. She's stationed out in the Outer Rim where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she greatly appreciates the help from 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 incredibly mischievous, which I'm sure won't surprise anyone. During filming, several puppeteers worked together to bring him to life, each managing different aspects of his actions. Yet, no matter how many puppeteers were around, all I saw was Grogu. He felt entirely real to me.

IGN: You’ve worked with many different types of aliens in your career, from Xenomorphs to Na’vi. How did working with Grogu compare?

Weaver: Grogu is undoubtedly the cutest. If you imagine a spectrum with Xenomorphs on one end and Slimer on the other, Grogu is far beyond that. In Japan, they'd call him 'Kawaii!'

IGN: You mentioned during the panel that you hadn't seen The Mandalorian before starting work on this. What was it like finally watching all those episodes?

Weaver: I feel incredibly fortunate that Jon Favreau didn't pressure me into watching it. I was thrilled to work with him on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I found the concept fantastic. It was like a classic Western with unexpected twists, and I found it charming—a perfect way to re-enter the Star Wars universe. There have been many different projects, and sometimes it's hard to keep track of everything.

This standalone story kept building, and I was captivated by Din Djarin and Grogu, along with formidable villains like Werner Herzog. I couldn't help but wonder what Herzog's character had planned for the little creature—it's something you don't even want to think about.

IGN: Looking forward, you're in the footage we saw this morning. It showed you sharing a scene with Grogu, where he used his Force powers to try to steal something. Was it a dish of food?

Weaver: Yes, it was a little bowl of snacks that were mine. He was making his Force gestures, and I was lucky to get them back. I had to be quite assertive.

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

Weaver: Grogu is always up to something. When I'm with him, I see what he does when he's more relaxed at our base. But there's a clear transition from a learning creature to someone with real skills. He's now an apprentice, and you can see a significant difference from what we saw in the series.

It's amazing how Star Wars continues to evolve, offering new ways for everyone to engage with the universe. It's an incredible journey that goes in all directions.

IGN: I'm still very interested in how you came to this project and your experience with Star Wars in general. Do you have a favorite movie from the series?

Weaver: Yes, I think Rogue One. I really liked Felicity Jones's character, and as someone from my generation, I feel a connection to the Rebellion. I've seen the other films quite a while ago, and it was wonderful to revisit them—it's like going back to your childhood. Star Wars has a way of inviting everyone back, and it keeps expanding in exciting ways.

IGN: Last question. Who 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 kind. Yoda, on the other hand, is wise and not destructive. He's on the side of good, and so is Grogu, of course.

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?