Sigourney Weaver on Grogu's Charm at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver's involvement in The Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was a highlight for fans, and IGN had the privilege of delving into her experience with the new project. Weaver shared insights on her character, her first-time exposure to The Mandalorian series, and her heartwarming connection with Grogu. The interview also touched on an intriguing comparison between Grogu and the Xenomorphs from her iconic Alien series.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to bridge the anticipation and offer fans a deeper look into the universe's latest addition.

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 maybe 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 how she came up. Now, she's still a pilot and one of the individuals working to protect the New Republic. She's out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, and she needs someone like the Mandalorian and his faithful companion.

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

Weaver: Grogu is very mischievous, which won't surprise you. It's fascinating because in every scene with Grogu, there were several puppeteers who each helped him perform different actions. Yet, no matter how many puppeteers were around him, all I saw was Grogu. I still believe he's real.

IGN: You’ve worked with a lot of different kinds of aliens in your career, from Xenomorphs to Na’vi. What was it like working with those in comparison to Grogu?

Weaver: He's definitely the cutest. If Xenomorphs are on one end of the spectrum and Slimer on the other, Grogu is far beyond the line. I think the Japanese call it Kawaii!

IGN: So, you said in the panel that you hadn't seen The Mandalorian before you started working on this. That means I have to ask, what was it like finally watching all those episodes?

Weaver: I feel so lucky because Jon Favreau wasn't like, ‘You've got to start watching this!’ I was just thrilled to work with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the first episode, I found the concept great. It's a really good old Western with a few surprises, and I found it charming and a perfect way to re-enter the Star Wars world. There've been different projects, and I sometimes get confused about what goes where.

This was a great standalone story that kept building and building. I found Din Djarin and the little fellow to be wonderful characters alongside great villains like Werner Herzog. The whole time, I was like, ‘What was he going to do to the little creature?!’ We don't even want to think about it.

IGN: Love it. Now, looking forward, you're certainly in the footage that we saw this morning. We saw you sharing a scene with Grogu and him using his Force powers to try to steal… was it like a dish of food or something?

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

IGN: Speaking of which, do you get to see Grogu use his Force powers in all their glory in this movie?

Weaver: Well, he's always trying to do something. So, to the extent that I get to be with him, I see what he does when he's more relaxed at the home base. However, I feel like Grogu is transitioning from a little learning creature to someone with real skills. He is the apprentice now, and I noticed a big difference between his portrayal in the series.

It shows there's a way for everybody to reconnect with Star Wars, and the story can expand in all directions. It's quite an amazing thing.

IGN: I'm still very interested in how you came to this project and your experience with Star Wars in general, dating back to the very first movie. Going through all of what we've seen so far. Do you have a favorite movie from the series?

Weaver: Yeah. I think Rogue One. I really liked Felicity Jones's character, and I'm glad that was the one I saw because I think of my generation as a member of The Rebellion. I saw the other ones quite a while ago and, I mean, it was wonderful to watch them again because you're kind of going back to your childhood. It shows there's a way in for everybody back into Star Wars, and you can keep it going. It goes in all directions. It's quite an amazing thing.

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 him, but I’m afraid it’s a Xenomorph.

IGN: Why do you think that is?

Weaver: Because he can’t help himself. He just has to take over and destroy and promote his group. And, what I know and remember of Yoda is that he is too wise to do all of that. He’s not a destructive being. He’s on the side of good, and I think Grogu is too, obviously.

IGN: And he’s just too cute to be all that threatening, right?

Weaver: Well, listen, if he stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what he would have become?