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Disney Tempers Expectations as The Mandalorian & Grogu Targets Theaters After Tepid Super Bowl Teaser

Variety reports internal doubts about the ad’s impact, casting the film as a key test of whether a streaming-born Star Wars can drive box office demand.

Overview

  • Insider accounts cited by Variety say the 36-second Super Bowl spot failed to spark the excitement Disney hoped to see.
  • Disney and Lucasfilm issued statements defending the unconventional teaser following critical fan reaction.
  • The subsequent full trailer drew a warmer reception, shifting the campaign toward more conventional, story-focused promotion.
  • The Mandalorian & Grogu is slated for a May 22, 2026 theatrical release and is reported to carry a roughly $166 million production budget.
  • Disney is described as more optimistic about Shawn Levy’s standalone Star Wars: Starfighter, dated May 28, 2027, which insiders believe is more likely to satisfy fans.