Just over a year beforeThe Mandalorian and Groguhits theaters, its budget has been revealed, and this news has me feeling even more excited about what’s to come inStar Wars’next movie.The Mandalorian and Groguis set to continue the story of Din Djarin and Grogu fromThe MandalorianTV show, following the beloved duo on their adventures working under-the-table for theNew Republicrangers to target members of theImperial Remnant.
Otherdetails aboutThe Mandalorian and Groguhave been hard to uncover, despite the fact that filming on thenextStar Warsmoviewrapped in December 2024. Its budget, however, has only just recently surfaced, proving thatThe Mandalorian and Groguis the cheapest DisneyStar Warsmoviemade thus far. This, at least to me, is an extremely promising sign about the movie itself, and there are a few different reasons why that is.
The Mandalorian Movie Proves Star Wars Has Learned To Manage Budgets
Their Experience With TV Shows Has No Doubt Helped Massively
For one, news about this budget is so exciting because it proves that Disney has learned from pastStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Whereas the past DisneyStar Warsmovies have all been made on massive budgets, with quite a few going over budget,The Mandalorian and Groguhas been able to use the technology created and perfected during the TV show’s run to find a proper middle ground, one more reminiscent of the first sixStar Warsmovies.
That’s not to say thatStar Warsmovies made on higher budgets aren’t as good, or that these bigger budgets always have to be a bad thing.Star Warsrarely ever has to worry about making that money back once the movies hit theaters, withSolo: A Star Wars Storybeing the only real example of a shaky box office for the franchise - and much of that had to do with the fandom’s tumultuous state at the time.
That’s not to say that Star Wars movies made on higher budgets aren’t as good, or that these bigger budgets always have to be a bad thing.
This lower budget, however, does seem like a step in a better direction. It also makes sense, too, given how things went for 2019’sStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.That movie actually ended up finishing under budget, which likely marked the first step in Disney’sStar Warslearning how to produce their movies in a more cost-effective way.The Mandalorian and Grogu’s production operating on a lower budget would, to me, be an indication that the entire process of this movie has been smooth sailing.
Star Wars Has A Filmmaker Who Truly Knows How It’s Done
Jon Favreau Has Plenty Of Experience On Blockbusters Like This
Of course, a lot of these decisions also have to do with the person who’s at the helm of this movie: Jon Favreau. While Lucasfilm is stocked full of experienced, expert filmmakers,Favreau has tons of experience with both Disney and Marvel movies, and this budgeting is already proof that he’s carrying his lessons learned from those franchises into this film. This is especially true where technology is concerned; Favreau has worked with some of film’s most complicated tech over the years.
The Mandalorian & Grogu: All Confirmed Cast & Characters (So Far)
The Mandalorian & Grogu is the next Star Wars movie to hit theaters, the franchise’s first since 2019. Here are its entire cast and characters so far.
Serving as both the writer and director ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu, and executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Favreau has no doubt steered this project in the correct direction from the start. He would know by now, especially with his experience onThe Mandalorianitself,how to balance outdoor sets with the use of the Volume, making for not only a cost-effective production but also a visually compelling one.
Budgets Don’t Mean Everything, But This Is Still A Hugely Positive Sign
We’re Getting Back To The Heart Of Star Wars
While it’s true that a movie’s budget doesn’t define the actual film itself, I still think it’s a very positive sign thatThe Mandalorian and Grogumanaged its production on a budget that’s significantly lower than other DisneyStar Warsmovies. It’s my personal belief thattheStar Warssequel trilogy built up such massive budgets in order to create the spectaclesStar Warshas long since been known for on the screen, but those same movies also proved that the spectacles alone aren’t everything.
A movie can look visually stunning, but if its story doesn’t deliver, then it won’t amount to much. That’s not to say theStar Warssequel trilogy never delivered story-wise;Star Wars: The Force Awakensis especially a high-ranking movie for me. But there’s no denying how divisiveStar Wars: The Last Jediwas, even though it may undeniably be the most visually beautifulStar Warsmovie we’ve ever gotten.
A movie can look visually stunning, but if its story doesn’t deliver, then it won’t amount to much.
In any case, I think thatThe Mandalorian and Groguoperating on a lower budget is an excellent sign thatStar Warsis taking a well-thought-out riskwith this movie. They know how much they’ll need to create spectacles, something we’ve already witnessed in the exclusive footage shown at 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, but they also know when to set spectacles aside for the story and its characters - a lesson learned fromThe Mandalorianseason 3, too.The Mandalorian and Groguis no doubt going to deliver, even on a smaller budget.
