Jonny Coyne is officially returning to the Star Wars universe in the upcoming feature film The Mandalorian & Grogu, as per Deadline.
Coyne will reprise his role as the Imperial Warlord, previously introduced in the third season of The Mandalorian. His character, a member of the Shadow Council, appeared in the Season 3 episode ‘Chapter 23: The Spies’, where he discussed exploiting hyperspace lanes and clashed with fellow Imperial officers such as Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon over his tactics.
In The Mandalorian, the Shadow Council operates as a covert group working against the New Republic, orchestrating plans to restore Imperial power. In his debut appearance, Jonny Coyne’s character suggested opportunities in plundering hyperspace lanes, only to be criticised by Captain Gilad Pellaeon for attracting unwanted attention, as the Shadow Council debated the whereabouts of Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of Star Wars’ most iconic villains.
Coyne’s return adds to an already impressive cast for The Mandalorian & Grogu. Pedro Pascal will reprise his role as Din Djarin, the titular Mandalorian, while Jeremy Allen White joins as the voice of Rotta the Hutt, Jabba the Hutt’s son. Sigourney Weaver is also confirmed, although her role remains undisclosed. Weaver has teased her involvement, mentioning a memorable encounter with Grogu.
This film marks the first Star Wars theatrical release since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. It promises to continue the post-Return of the Jedi storyline established in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and other spin-offs, tying together various narratives from the New Republic era.
Lucasfilm is also expanding its cinematic slate with multiple Star Wars projects in development. These include a film featuring Daisy Ridley’s Rey, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, and James Mangold’s feature exploring the origins of the Force during the Dawn of the Jedi era. Additionally, Dave Filoni is directing a movie that will conclude storylines from The Mandalorian and related series, among others.
As The Mandalorian & Grogu gears up for its 22 May 2026 release, it signals the start of a new chapter for Star Wars on the big screen. Fans can stream The Mandalorian on Disney+ while awaiting the theatrical debut of this much-anticipated feature.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
