At Star Wars Celebration 2025, Sigourney Weaver took center stage at the panel for the highly anticipated film, *The Mandalorian & Grogu*. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Weaver shared insights into her new role, her first encounters with the series, and her charming co-star, Grogu. Set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026, this film promises to expand the beloved Star Wars universe further.
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: My character is indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform. She's part of the New Republic, working diligently to protect it, especially out in the Outer Rim where remnants of the Empire still linger. She relies on allies like the Mandalorian and his faithful companion to aid her efforts.
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: Working with Grogu was delightful. He's incredibly mischievous, which I'm sure won't surprise anyone. In every scene, there were several puppeteers involved, yet all I saw was Grogu. He's so lifelike and endearing.
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: Grogu is definitely the cutest of the bunch. If you place Xenomorphs and Slimer on one end of the spectrum, Grogu is on the opposite side—purely adorable, or as the Japanese say, 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 incredibly fortunate. Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to start watching, and I was thrilled to work with him on a Star Wars project. From the first episode, I found the concept engaging—a classic Western with some delightful twists. It was a charming way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can be confusing with its various projects. The storyline of Din Djarin and Grogu, along with compelling antagonists like Werner Herzog, kept me hooked.
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. Grogu was using his Force gestures to try and take them, and I had to be quite firm to get them back.
IGN: Speaking of which, do you get to see Grogu use his Force powers in all their glory in this movie?
Weaver: Grogu is always up to something. When I'm with him at the home base, I get to see him in more relaxed moments. He's transitioning from a learning creature to someone with real skills, showing his growth as an apprentice.
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: My favorite is *Rogue One*. I really connected with Felicity Jones's character and the theme of rebellion, which resonates with my generation. Revisiting the other films felt like returning to my childhood, showing how Star Wars can bring people back in and keep expanding in all directions.
IGN: Last question. Who is the most powerful being in the universe? Grogu or a Xenomorph?
Weaver: I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph. They can't help but take over, destroy, and promote their kind. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are wise and on the side of good, not destruction. Plus, Grogu is just too cute to be threatening.
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?
