Sigourney Weaver played a pivotal role in the much-anticipated *The Mandalorian & Grogu* panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and IGN was fortunate enough to sit down with her to delve into her new character, her initial unfamiliarity with the series, her affection for Grogu, and even her thoughts on whether Grogu might be more powerful than a Xenomorph.

The excitement for *The Mandalorian & Grogu* is palpable, set for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to ease the anticipation and offer fans a glimpse into the latest addition to the cherished 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:** My character indeed sports a Rebel pilot uniform, and that's her origin. Currently, she continues her role as a pilot dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic. She operates out in the Outer Rim, where remnants of the Empire still linger, so having allies like the Mandalorian and his loyal companion is crucial.

**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, as you might expect. What's fascinating is that, despite the presence of several puppeteers controlling different aspects of him, all I saw was Grogu himself. He truly feels 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. If you imagine a spectrum with Xenomorphs on one end and Slimer on the other, Grogu is far beyond, embodying the essence of what the Japanese call 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 because Jon Favreau didn't insist that I start watching the show immediately. I was simply excited to work on a Star Wars project with him. From the very first episode, I was captivated by the concept. It felt like a classic Western with delightful surprises, and it was a charming way for me to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which can be confusing with its numerous projects. This standalone story continually evolved, and I found Din Djarin and Grogu to be wonderful characters, complemented by formidable antagonists like Werner Herzog. Throughout, I couldn't help but wonder what Herzog's character had planned for the little creature.

**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 small bowl of snacks that belonged to me, and he was using his Force gestures to try and take them. I was lucky to get them back; I had to be quite assertive.

**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. Whenever I'm around him, I get to witness his antics, especially when he's more relaxed at our base. However, I can see him transitioning from a learning creature to one with genuine skills. He's truly an apprentice now, and the difference is palpable compared to the series.

It’s remarkable how Star Wars continues to evolve, offering entry points for everyone to re-engage with the saga.

**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:** Yes, *Rogue One* stands out for me. I really appreciated Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with me as a member of the Rebellion. Revisiting the other films was like a trip back to my childhood. Star Wars offers countless ways for fans to reconnect and explore the universe, which is truly amazing.

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

**Weaver:** I’m afraid it’s a Xenomorph. Despite my belief in Grogu, the Xenomorph's nature is to dominate and destroy, driven by instinct. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, represent wisdom and goodness, not destruction. Grogu, of course, 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 path he might have taken?