Incredibly, it has been over six years since the last Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker. The intervening period has seen a series of live-action and animated series on Disney+, but now the streaming giant is preparing to launch a film that will bridge the Mandalorian era with the broader Star Wars legacy. And it looks like it will do so in style.

The final trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu offers an epic scope, promising hope of rekindling big-screen magic while retaining some of the Mandalorian’s gritty tone. The diminutive Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, is now the new heart of big-screen Star Wars.

The trailer opens with a scene of him meditating in a forest – an adorable nostalgic reference to Yoda himself – while also suggesting his character growth (the use of Yoda’s Theme has resonated deeply with fans). Grogu dominates fan discussions, and his many cute reactions are already being turned into memes. Since he clearly is such a star, there's only one concern: can Disney avoid the temptation to over-commercialise him and turn him into merely a cute mascot?

The story will focus on developing the bond between Grogu and bounty hunter Din Djarin, potentially offering both blockbuster spectacle and intimate storytelling. The movie, directed by Jon Favreau and co-written by Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Noah Kloor, is set for release on 22 May.