Sigourney Weaver Says STAR WARS Is Better Than Ever: “They’re Letting the Universe Breathe”
Sigourney Weaver is officially entering the Star Wars galaxy, joining The Mandalorian and Grogu in a major new role. The sci-fi legend, best known for her iconic work in Alien and Avatar, says this new chapter wasn’t something she went looking for, but the project’s story and direction were too good to pass up.
In a recent chat with Empire, Weaver explained that it all came down to the writing. “That’s my compass,” she said. “[With] The Mandalorian and Grogu, it was not my intention to find a fourth franchise. I didn’t ever imagine that I would enter the Star Wars world.
“But what’s interesting about Star Wars now is they’re no longer trying to do the Star Wars to end all Star Wars. They’re letting the universe exist, and tell[ing] really interesting stories within that.”
Weaver stars as Colonel Ward, a high-ranking New Republic officer and former Rebel Alliance pilot leading the Adelphi Rangers. Fans got their first glimpse of her character in the film’s teaser trailer released back in September.
According to Weaver, her role came about in a surprisingly organic way. “I think Jon Favreau thought, ‘Okay, we want this very strong character. Let’s make it a woman.’ I’m not sure it was supposed to be a woman,” she revealed.
She went on to explain that the decision felt refreshingly modern. “I think again, these days, they often think, ‘What do I need to do to make this seem more timely?’, and now, because women are doing everything, hooray for us.
“[But] I just fell in love with the script and said, ‘I don’t know anything about this world.’ Jon said, ‘Well, you can watch the series,’ and I said, ‘Oh, there’s a series?!’”
Weaver joins The Mandalorian and Grogu alongside Pedro Pascal, reprising his role as Din Djarin, and Jeremy Allen White, who will portray Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba. But the biggest draw for Weaver wasn’t the big names or the galactic setting, it was the chance to share scenes with the galaxy’s most beloved little green alien.
“I get to have scenes with a little Grogu which is probably why I did the movie, and he’s a little badass too. It’s going to be wonderful for people to see what Grogu is up to now because he’s grown up a little bit and is capable of much more than maybe we think just watching the series.”
According to the official synopsis, The Mandalorian and Grogu picks up after the fall of the Empire, as scattered Imperial warlords threaten the fragile New Republic. The government enlists Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu to help secure the peace and defend everything the Rebellion fought for.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026, and it sounds like fans are in for something awesome and special.