Sigourney Weaver on Grogu's Charm and More at Star Wars Celebration

Sigourney Weaver made a significant impact at the Star Wars Celebration 2025 during The Mandalorian & Grogu panel, and IGN had the privilege of interviewing her about her new role, her initial unfamiliarity with the series, her affection for Grogu, and even a playful comparison between Grogu and a Xenomorph. The highly anticipated film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, is slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the anticipation and offer a glimpse into one of the latest additions to the expansive 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 how she came up. She remains a pilot, now dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic. She operates out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she relies on individuals like the Mandalorian and his faithful companion.

IGN: We heard that your love for Grogu was a major reason you decided to take on this role. What was it like working with him?

Weaver: Grogu is incredibly mischievous, which won't surprise anyone. In every scene with him, there were several puppeteers, each responsible for different actions. Yet, despite the presence of these puppeteers, all I saw was Grogu. He's so convincing, I still believe he's real.

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

Weaver: He's definitely the cutest of the bunch. While Xenomorphs and other creatures might be on one end of the spectrum, and Slimer on another, Grogu is in a league of his own. The Japanese have a term for it—Kawaii!

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

Weaver: I feel incredibly fortunate because Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to watch it beforehand. I was just excited to work with Jon on a Star Wars project. From the very first episode, I appreciated the concept. It's like a classic Western with some delightful surprises. It was a charming way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can sometimes be confusing with its various projects. The Mandalorian provided a compelling standalone story that built beautifully, with wonderful characters like Din Djarin and Grogu, and compelling antagonists like Werner Herzog. I was constantly on edge wondering what Herzog's character might do to the little creature.

IGN: Now, looking forward, we saw you in the footage this morning sharing a scene with Grogu, where he used his Force powers to try to steal something from you. What was that?

Weaver: It was a small bowl of snacks that were mine. He was making his little Force gestures, and I'm just lucky I managed to get them back. I had to be quite firm.

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

Weaver: He's always up to something. Whenever I'm with him, I get to see what he does when he's relaxed at home base. However, it's clear that 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's a testament to how Star Wars can continually evolve and bring in new audiences.

IGN: I'm curious about your journey to this project and your overall experience with Star Wars, starting with the original films. Do you have a favorite movie from the series?

Weaver: Yes, I think Rogue One is my favorite. I really enjoyed Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with me as someone from the generation that identifies with The Rebellion. Revisiting the other films was like returning to my childhood. Star Wars has a way of welcoming everyone back and expanding in all directions, which is truly remarkable.

IGN: Finally, who do you think is the most powerful being in the universe—Grogu or a Xenomorph?

Weaver: I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph. It's not that I doubt Grogu's abilities, but the Xenomorph's nature is to take over, destroy, and advance its species. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are on the side of good and wisdom, not destruction. Grogu is simply too cute to be truly threatening.

IGN: And if he had stayed with Werner Herzog, do you think he might have turned out differently?

Weaver: Well, if Grogu had remained with Werner Herzog, who knows what path he might have taken?