Sigourney Weaver was a large part of the Mandalorian & Grogu panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 and IGN had the chance to tell her about her new character, how she had not watched an episode of The Mandalorian before being sunk, how Grogu stole her heart, and even if she thinks that Grogu is more powerful than a xenomorph.
The Mandalorian & Grogu should be released in theaters on May 22, 2026, and we hope that this interview will help you to wait and give you an overview of one of the new characters to join this beloved galaxy far, far.
IGN: Sigourney, thank you very much for joining you! We were delighted to see your character in the Mandalorian & Rogu panel, and it seems that she may have a rebellious pilot uniform? What can you tell us about your character at this stage?
Sigourney Weaver: Well, she was Wearing a rebellious pilot uniform, and that’s how she came. And now, of course, she is still a pilot and is one of the people who work to protect the new Republic. She is actually in the outside edge where there are vestiges of the Empire, so she needs someone like the Mandalorian and her faithful companion.
IGN: We have heard that your growing love was one of the reasons why you decided to play this role, so how was it to work with him?
Weaver: Grogu is very playful. I’m sure it won’t surprise you. It’s funny because, in each scene with Grogu, there were several puppeteers who helped him each do a different thing. However, regardless of the number of puppeteers around him, everything I saw was growled. I always think it is real.
IGN: You have worked with a lot of types of foreigners in your career, xenomorphs in Na’vi. How was it to work with those compared to Grogu?
Weaver: He is definitely the cutest. I mean, if the xenomorphs are somewhere here and slimer is here, growled is well above the line. I think the Japanese call him kawaii!
IGN: So, you said in the panel that you had not seen the Mandalorian before you start working there. It means I have to ask, how was it finally to watch all these episodes?
Weaver: I feel so lucky because Jon Favreau was not like: “You have to start looking at that!” I was just delighted to do it and work with Jon on a Star Wars project. And even from the first episode, I felt that it was an excellent concept. It was a very good old western with a few surprises, and I just found it charming and an excellent way for me to get into the world of Star Wars because there were different projects and I am confused on what is going where.
So it was a great kind of autonomous story that continued to build and build, and I found Din Djarin and the little guy to be wonderful characters alongside great bad guys like Werner Herzog. During all the time, I said to myself: “What was going to do with the little creature?” We don’t even want to think about it.
IGN: To like. Now waiting, you are certainly in the images we saw this morning. We saw you share a scene with Grogu and him using his power powers to try to fly … Was it like a food dish or something?
Weaver: Yes. It is a small bowl of snacks that were mine, and he made his little gestures of force, and I am just lucky to have recovered them. I had to be quite energetic.
IGN: Speaking of what, do you see growled using his power powers in all their glory in this film?
Weaver: Well, he always tries to do something. So, since I can be with him, I can see what he does when he is more relaxed at the base. However, I have the impression that growing in a way from a little learning creature to someone who has real skills. And indeed, he is the apprentice now, and I felt that I could see a big difference between that in the series.
IGN: I am always very interested in the way you arrived at this project and your experience with Star Wars in general, dating from the very first film. Going through everything we have seen so far. Do you have a favorite film from the series?
Weaver: Yeah. I think Rogue One. I really liked the character of Felicity Jones, and I am glad it is the one I saw because I think of my generation as a member of the rebellion. I saw the others a while ago and, I mean, it was wonderful to look at them again because you somehow returned to your childhood. This shows that there is a way for everyone in Star Wars, and you can continue. It goes in all directions. It is a pretty incredible thing.
IGN: Last question. Who is the most powerful being in the universe? Growls or a xenomorph?
Weaver: Well, it is not that I do not believe in him, but I am afraid that it is a xenomorph.
IGN: Why do you think it’s?
Weaver: Because he cannot help himself. He only has to take over and destroy and promote his group. And what I know and remember Yoda is that it is too wise to do all of this. It is not a destructive being. It is on the side of the good and I think that growers is too, of course.
IGN: And he’s just too cute to be so threatening, right?
Weaver: Well, listen, if he stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what would have become?
For more, consult Our summary of all the greatest moments of the Mandalorian & Grogu panel, including that Ryan Gosling was officially sunk in Star Wars: Starfighter film of 2027.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow it on X / Twitter @Adambankhurst and on Tiktok.
