Lucasfilm’s first theatrical Star Wars project in seven years, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” is progressing toward its 22 May 2026 release, and fresh remarks from actor Ming-Na Wen have renewed attention on whether sharpshooter Fennec Shand will make the jump from Disney+ to the big screen.
Wen told ScreenRant she “hopes” to reprise the role, adding that she misses playing the mercenary, though she stressed that no offer has been made. At a convention appearance late last year she described herself as “greedy for more” Fennec stories, underscoring a willingness to return if called.
Lucasfilm has not commented, and the only confirmed cast members remain Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and the animatronic Grogu. Principal photography was slated to begin in June 2024 under the working title “Thunder Alley,” employing 500 crew members and more than 3,000 extras across a 92-day shoot in California. State records show the production qualified for $21.8 million in tax incentives and is expected to pump roughly $166 million into the local economy.
Unofficial photos of set construction surfaced last summer, but reports indicated cameras had not yet rolled, suggesting the start date slipped during last year’s industry work stoppages. Sources close to the film now expect filming to commence after Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni complete post-production on the Disney+ series “Skeleton Crew.”
Industry analysts note that “The Mandalorian & Grogu” serves as the test case for Lucasfilm’s renewed big-screen strategy, arriving ahead of the Rey-centered New Jedi Order film and a Filoni-helmed crossover feature. If Wen is invited back, Fennec’s presence could help connect those interconnected projects, but for now her return remains purely speculative.
