Sigourney Weaver on Grogu: Stealing Hearts at Star Wars Celebration

At Star Wars Celebration 2025, Sigourney Weaver took the stage at The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, delighting fans with insights into her new character. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Weaver discussed her role, her unexpected journey into the Star Wars universe, and her charming encounters with Grogu. Fans eagerly anticipating the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22, 2026, can find solace in this engaging conversation that sheds light on one of the newest additions to the beloved galaxy far, far away.

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: My character indeed sports a Rebel pilot uniform, reflecting her origins. She's now dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic, serving as a pilot in the Outer Rim where remnants of the Empire still linger. Her mission aligns with the efforts of the Mandalorian and his loyal 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 incredibly mischievous, which is no surprise to anyone. It was fascinating to see him in action, surrounded by several puppeteers, yet all I could see was Grogu himself. He truly felt real to me.

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 undoubtedly the cutest alien I've ever worked with. While Xenomorphs and Na’vi each have their unique charm, Grogu's adorability is unmatched. The Japanese would 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 incredibly fortunate that Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to watch the series before starting. I was excited to join a Star Wars project and work with Jon. From the very first episode, I was captivated by the concept—a classic Western with unexpected twists. It was a charming way to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can be confusing with its various projects. The Mandalorian provided a compelling standalone story that grew richer over time, featuring wonderful characters like Din Djarin and Grogu, alongside formidable villains like Werner Herzog. I was constantly on edge, wondering what Herzog's plans were for Grogu.

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 belonged to me. Grogu used his Force gestures to try and take them, and I had to be quite assertive 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, I get to see him in more relaxed moments at the home base. However, it's clear he's transitioning from a young learner to a skilled apprentice. There's a noticeable difference from his portrayal in the series, which is exciting to witness.

It's a testament to how Star Wars continues to evolve, providing fresh entries for everyone to enjoy. The franchise keeps expanding in all directions, which is truly remarkable.

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 was drawn to Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with me as a member of the Rebellion. Revisiting the other films felt like a nostalgic journey back to my childhood. Star Wars has a way of welcoming everyone back, continually expanding its universe in exciting new ways.

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

Weaver: I have to say, it's the Xenomorph.

IGN: Why do you think that is?

Weaver: The Xenomorph is driven by an innate need to take over, destroy, and propagate its species. Yoda, whom Grogu emulates, represents wisdom and goodness, not destruction. Grogu, too, is on the side of good.

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?