Director Jon Favreau reveals how new 'Mandalorian and Grogu' creatures came to life

Go behind the scenes of "The Mandalorian and Grogu" to see how Grogu and new "Star Wars" creatures are brought to life.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:54pm

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An extreme close-up of a highly detailed, glittering, and textured alien creature skin, captured in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting to create a sense of luxury and glamour.The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to texture behind the new "Star Wars" creatures promise to transport viewers into the galaxy far, far away.Los Angeles Today

A new featurette takes you behind the scenes with Jon Favreau and Pedro Pascal, showing how the galaxy's newest creatures are made. Director Jon Favreau reveals how new and returning "Star Wars" creatures like Rotta the Hutt and Grogu come to life in "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

Why it matters

Creatures have always been a crucial part of the "Star Wars" universe, and fans are eager to see how the beloved characters and new species will be brought to life in the latest installment of the franchise.

The details

The featurette showcases the mix of old-school stop-motion and high-tech animatronics used to create the creatures, with director Jon Favreau emphasizing the importance of grounding the fantastical elements in a sense of realism. Sigourney Weaver, who plays Colonel Ward, gushes about working with the adorable Grogu, while Jeremy Allen White brings the iconic Hutt species to life with the character of Rotta. The Anzellan species, first seen in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," also makes a return.

  • "The Mandalorian and Grogu" is set to premiere in theaters on May 22, 2026.

The players

Jon Favreau

The director of "The Mandalorian and Grogu" who reveals how new and returning "Star Wars" creatures are brought to life.

Pedro Pascal

The actor who stars in "The Mandalorian and Grogu" alongside the new creatures.

Sigourney Weaver

The actress who plays Colonel Ward and gushes about working with the character of Grogu.

Jeremy Allen White

The actor who brings the iconic Hutt species to life with the character of Rotta.

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What they’re saying

“We're embracing a lot of tradition, bringing in all sorts of creative disciplines.”

— Jon Favreau, Director

“We use all these techniques to ground things. To make you feel like you're in a real place with real characters, even though you've never seen these creatures or these droids before.”

— Jon Favreau, Director

“All I see is this little face. You cannot but fall in love with that little face.”

— Sigourney Weaver, Actress

What’s next

Fans can look forward to seeing the new and returning "Star Wars" creatures when "The Mandalorian and Grogu" premieres in theaters on May 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The behind-the-scenes featurette showcases the incredible attention to detail and blend of traditional and modern techniques used to bring the fantastical creatures of the "Star Wars" universe to life, ensuring that even the most imaginative species feel grounded and authentic.