Sigourney Weaver played a pivotal role at the Star Wars Celebration 2025 during the panel for *The Mandalorian & Grogu*. In an exclusive interview with IGN, she discussed her new character, her initial unfamiliarity with the series, her affection for Grogu, and even compared Grogu's power to that of a Xenomorph. *The Mandalorian & Grogu* is slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. This interview aims to tide fans over until then and provide insights into Weaver's new addition to the 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 was indeed wearing a Rebel pilot uniform, and she's evolved into someone who works to protect the New Republic. She operates in the Outer Rim where remnants of the Empire still linger, so she needs allies like the Mandalorian and his faithful 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 won't surprise anyone. In every scene with him, there were several puppeteers coordinating his actions, yet all I could see was Grogu himself. He felt so 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 by far the cutest. On a scale where Xenomorphs are on one end and Slimer on another, Grogu is off the charts in terms of adorability. The Japanese term 'Kawaii' sums him up perfectly!

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 felt incredibly lucky because Jon Favreau didn't pressure me to watch the series before joining. I was thrilled to work with him on a Star Wars project. From the first episode, I appreciated the concept—a classic Western with a unique twist. It was a charming way to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which has evolved with various projects. I found the characters, like Din Djarin and Grogu, alongside villains like Werner Herzog, to be compelling. The suspense around what Herzog might do to Grogu kept me on the edge of my seat.

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 were mine, and he was using his Force gestures to try and take them. 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 what he does when he's more relaxed at home. It's clear he's transitioning from a learner to someone with real skills. He's now truly an apprentice, and the difference from the series is notable. It's an inviting way for everyone to re-enter the Star Wars universe, which continues to expand in exciting directions.

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 loved Felicity Jones's character, and it resonated with me as someone from the generation that identifies with the Rebellion. Revisiting the other films felt like a journey back to my childhood. Star Wars offers a way in for everyone, continually evolving and expanding in fascinating directions.

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

Weaver: I'm afraid it's a Xenomorph.

IGN: Why do you think that is?

Weaver: A Xenomorph can't help but take over, destroy, and promote its species. Yoda, and by extension Grogu, are wise and aligned with good, not destruction. Grogu, of course, follows this path.

IGN: And he’s just too cute to be all that threatening, right?

Weaver: If he had stayed with Werner Herzog, who knows what he might have become?