'Mandalorian and Grogu' brings Star Wars back to theaters with new cast

Jon Favreau's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" marks the franchise's first theatrical release since 2019, and ABC7 Los Angeles offered exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the production set, cast interviews and a tour of the studio's Star Wars prop warehouse.

The film, set years after "Return of the Jedi," reunites Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin with franchise newcomer Sigourney Weaver, whose character Colonel Ward is a New Republic officer and former rebel ally of Princess Leia.

ABC7 Los Angeles aired a special episode of "On The Red Carpet" filmed on the movie's production set, giving viewers prop warehouse tours and exclusive interviews with the director and cast to mark the film's theatrical opening, the outlet reported.

Pedro Pascal, reprising his role as Din Djarin, said his connection to the franchise goes back to childhood. "My earliest memories of going to the movies as a kid are Star Wars," Pascal said, according to ABC7. "And getting tickets to 'Return of the Jedi' was probably like, you know, it's just a day I'll never forget."

The plot follows the New Republic enlisting Din Djarin and Grogu to confront Imperial warlords threatening a fragile peace — picking up the story several years after the conclusion of the original trilogy.

Sigourney Weaver, making her Star Wars franchise debut as Colonel Ward, described how the character's rebel roots shaped her portrayal. "Colonel Ward came up with the rebellion," Weaver told ABC7. "She would have been a fellow rebel with Princess Leia, and so that's the generation. So, also because of the strong women in 'Star Wars,' it was such a great thing to bring Colonel Ward to life."

Director Jon Favreau, who created the Disney+ "Mandalorian" series, said the film aims to honor the mythic scale George Lucas established. "The stakes are high, but the characters are heroic, pure of heart," Favreau said, according to ABC7. "Of course, George set the bar really high, but we could tell stories that at least honor that world that he created."

"Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" is now playing in theaters nationwide.