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Everyone needs a simple victory every now and then. A decision that is foolproof, universally accepted, and requires minimal effort to execute. Bringing The Mandalorian and Grogu (also known as The Child or Baby Yoda) to the silver screen could be Disney’s easiest success since Darth Vader defeated Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars film in 1977.
The surprising news, revealed this week, may come as a surprise because we were already anticipating the armored space warrior and his adorable force-wielding adopted son to appear in a film previously announced by Dave Filoni. This film is believed to bring together the various heroes from Disney+’s Star Wars TV spin-offs, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, in a movie similar to Avengers where they will fight against the evil Grand Admiral Thrawn. Doesn’t the fact that Din Djarin and Grogu will now have their own separate adventure (directed by series creator Jon Favreau) take away from Filoni’s project?
Please note that since we do not know when these two episodes will be released in theaters, and considering the numerous Star Wars projects that have been cancelled before entering production in recent years, it would be best to set aside any worries for now.
If Disney had not announced a Mandalorian and Grogu movie, there would likely have been numerous people expressing their horror and potentially never being appeased, as the telekinesis-using child and his tough but kind space father are very popular characters. (I even predicted this in March.) Additionally, with Jon Favreau, a skilled film director – known for Iron Man, The Jungle Book, and Elf – leading the project, there is hope that this is the best approach to bringing Star Wars back to the big screen after the monumental mistake that was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. So why do I not have a bad feeling, but rather a slight sense of unease about this possibility?
The primary factor is the title, as titles hold great importance in Star Wars. The announcement of a title elicits the same thrilling reaction as a new James Bond movie’s carefully crafted name. If “The Empire Strikes Back” had been named “Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader”, it likely would not have had the same cultural impact in 1980. Even “The Force Awakens” has a certain vibe to it, but “The Rise of Skywalker” falls flat and sounds like it was generated by an AI searching for the perfect Star Wars movie title. And “The Mandalorian and Grogu”? It just doesn’t have the same impact. It feels like a straightforward and unoriginal choice for a movie name (apologies to our American audience).
Lucasfilm and Disney may have come to terms with the fact that the enchantment of movies no longer holds true, and that the key aspect in titling a new film is to be straightforward. After all, The Mandalorian has been well-received, so why not provide more of the same but on a larger scale? However, this type of marketing-driven approach is what resulted in titles like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Baywatch: The Movie.
There is a lack of success when it comes to transitioning TV shows into movies. However, it is common for a popular TV show to be adapted into a film with brand new actors and creators, usually many years after the show first premiered. It is uncommon for a TV series to make the leap to the big screen while still at the height of its popularity. One notable exception is Star Trek, which has had some challenges but is now equally famous for its movies as it is for its TV episodes.
Favreau will be working within a sandbox with almost limitless creative potential. Moreover, he built the sandbox himself, not with Jedi powers but with sheer passion for the saga George Lucas cooked up well over four decades ago from a far out blend of pulp space serials and Akira Kurosawa.
There is still much unknown about Grogu, his race which possesses Force abilities, and his role in the future of the galaxy. Favreau and Filoni have been cautious in revealing details about Mandalorian culture in the slow pace of the first three seasons of the TV show, leaving much to be discovered. Despite half a century of Star Wars, we have yet to even visit the home planet of Grogu and Yoda. According to online sources, the idea of Yoda having a home planet was not officially introduced until 2018, making it a potentially fascinating starting point for future filmmakers.
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There is concern that they could potentially ruin it. The worry is that in the process of creating a grand and captivating plot that justifies the transition to the big screen, Favreau may lose the essence of what made The Mandalorian so successful. The TV series thrived on its longer episodes, allowing for in-depth exploration of unique species like the Frog Lady in season two and a closer examination of the deceitful actions of the Jawa in season one. However, a movie is more likely to focus on large-scale space battles. Is a film really the best medium for a lovable and eccentric character like Grogu?
Unfortunately, the film may come across as nothing more than a prolonged installment of the Disney+ series – something we would have gladly viewed at home as part of our subscription. In a way, Favreau is in a lose-lose situation.
Currently, I am willing to set aside any worries and just revel in the announcement that The Mandalorian is prepared to rescue Star Wars on the silver screen. Do you remember what CGI Leia said in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story when she was asked about the outcome of Jyn Erso’s team’s mission for the rebellion? I believe it was something along the lines of hope.
Source: theguardian.com
