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Just when the Star Wars saga needed a boost, the launch of Disney+ provided just what it needed: The Mandalorian. The series — set between the original and sequel trilogies — injected new life into a franchise many fans soured on. 

Its focus on a brand-new bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) and the ever-popular “Baby Yoda” instantly made The Mandalorian a success story. Soon after its debut, it became one of the most-watched streaming shows. 

So, of course, Lucasfilm plans to turn to The Mandalorian to stir up fan enthusiasm about what might come next. According to a new report, that future might include the reintroduction of a beloved sequel trilogy hero.

Atmosphere at the premiere of 'The Mandalorian'
Atmosphere at the premiere of ‘The Mandalorian’ | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

‘The Mandalorian’ leads the ‘Star Wars’ saga into the future

Luke Skywalker himself name-checked The Mandalorian as a smart way to reinvigorate Star Wars. Comparing the show to a spaghetti Western, actor Mark Hamill said The Mandalorian also has the ability to tell stories without “the burden of delivering a gigantic special effects extravaganza.”

Indeed, some fans particularly criticize the prequel trilogy for focusing more on spectacle than character. And The Mandalorian — again, as Hamill alluded — harkens back George Lucas’ original vision. The Star Wars creator initially based the first film on serialized adventures like those of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.

Given the divisive response to the sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm is far likely to take its cues from its Disney+ hit going forward. The Mandalorian strikes that delicate balance between action and character that is Star Wars at its best. Yet, while the show feels very different than the recent movies, the saga certainly isn’t going to leave the sequels behind.

The Disney+ series might launch other ‘Star Wars’ stories

Rather, in order to keep Star Wars growing, The Mandalorian might wind up being the well from which other stories will spring. Upcoming Disney+ series focused on Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor might not be a good fit, however. Both those shows take place decades earlier.

But We Got This Covered reports that The Mandalorian could be connected to a story set long after the series itself. According to the site, both Pascal’s Mandalorian and Baby Yoda will appear on an upcoming spin-off starring Daisy Ridley’s Rey. Presumably, this would be a Disney+ series set after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

As such, Mando would be significantly older than he is on his own show. But as long as Pascal stays behind the helmet, that should hardly matter. WGTC also claims to have heard rumors that Mando may learn the ways of The Force. Perhaps that’s the connection between him and Rey. After all, The Mandalorian’s creative team are clearly planning far in advance.

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Have fans seen the last of Daisy Ridley’s Rey or not?

Granted, this is all purely speculation right now. Ridley and her co-stars have seemed like they are done with Star Wars. And the actress has been connected to the lead role of a whole new movie series. That being said, Lucasfilm is likely floating a bunch of different ideas right now.

The end of the “Skywalker saga” has left the franchise at a bit of a crossroads. So it’s entirely possible a Rey show or movie is one of the concepts in development. That doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen though.

Given how much Rey resonated with fans, they’re unlikely to accept another actress in the role. In all likelihood, the potential for more Rey will boil down to Ridley’s interest. If she’s ready for more Star Wars, then a cross-over with The Mandalorian will almost certainly happen.

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