'THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU' - MARCH 2026 UPDATE

Only two more months to go until fans and box office receipts decide whether the unique pairing of the small screen's famous Disney+ era Star Wars heroes' transition to the big screen ultimately works...

Additional new snippets of footage in the IMAX trailers...

New merchandising stills from the movie.

Rotta the Hutt, now a gladiator!

The recent EMPIRE film magazine cover and inside shoot, exclusively taken by Robert Ascroft.

Empire’s The Mandalorian And Grogu Covers Revealed

The Mandalorian And Grogu Marks ‘A Completely Different Era Of Star Wars’

EPISODE VIII: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!

Hip-deep in battle from within her cockpit splinter, Resistance heroine Paige Tico keeps fighting the shock wave of enemy TIE fighters rapidly destroying her bombing squadron comrades, of which she herself will soon prove our heroes only hope in another of their desperate hours.

A memorable scene of bravery and sacrifice, enhanced by another fine John Williams score, marking the beginning to The Last Jedi.

Veronica Ngo as Paige Tico.

BEHIND THE SCENES: 'STAR WARS' BEGINS!

Lucas coordinates with John Stears on the little Astro Droids.

A momentous day in the past and for the future, as March 22nd, 1976 saw the commencement of filming of a certain quirky, so-called low-budget space fantasy adventure called The Star Wars at the out there Salt Flats of Nefta, Tunisia, in which a small group of actors mingled with droids and small Jawas (and a relatively unenthused British crew) to bring writer/director/visionary George Lucas's very special enduring fantasy saga to life.

And the rest is history...

Star Wars: A New Hope Began Filming 50 Years Ago Today | StarWars.com

A sci-fi/fantasy universe like no other begins filming at Nefta.

Conferring with George Lucas on a busy. difficult first day for the film-maker.

EPISODE II: TO CHALLENGE A SITH!

Immature and reckless he may be, but the bravery of young Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and his determination to stop the trouble-making Separatist Leader Count Dooku from unleashing his galactic war-making plans, shouldn't be overlooked, in this great image from Episode II.

COMING SOON: 'MAUL' GETS NASTY!

The fans' second favourite George Lucas created iconic villain, Darth Maul, returns to his animated series home this April 6th, 2026, exclusively on Disney+. And here's the latest trailer to enjoy from Filoni and company's fine team...

EPISODE V: THE DISINTEGRATOR!

The slightest sound heard on his receptors can mean potential conflict for Boba Fett, unwilling to let his prize in carbon frozen Han Solo be taken away from him as he makes his way to Slave 1 and departure to Tatooine, in this super close-in image of the character from The Empire Strikes Back.

Jeremy Bulloch interview:

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-identities-jeremy-bulloch-interview

Though The Mandalorian continues to be a fun series (and hopefully a fun movie experience, too!), it was a great shame that the originally planned Boba Fett standalone film never happened. Though the project has since been allegedly 'debunked' by Kathleen Kennedy, remember when this news first came out? And the Celebration convention preview alongside Rogue One?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-boba-fett-movie-is-happening-james-mangold-direct-1113273

EPISODE VII: DUELLING PRACTICE!

All of the Star Wars films have seen their main stars undergo intensive fight/action training prior to and during filming, as seen here, with John Boyega firmly getting into the swing of things whilst also honing his lightsaber skills. A great behind the scene image from The Force Awakens, at Pinewood Studios during 2014.

BEHIND THE SCENES: INSIDE THE POD RACE HANGAR!

Despite the rise of CGI with the new Star Wars Prequel filmmaking universe, may critics and fans still need to be reminded that Episode One regardless had many partial and practical sets/props built for its storytelling at Leavesden Studios during 1997, like this impressive Pod Hangar bay.  

CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE CELL BAY!

"This is not gonna work!"

Now disguised as Imperial Stormtroopers, Luke's plan to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star Cell Bay begins, much to the weary chagrin of Han Solo, in a classic scene of humour from the original Star Wars.

Some of the dialogue scenes linked to the Cell Block would be improvised or enhanced by Hamill and Ford during May 1976 filming.

BEHIND THE SCENES: CONCEPTION OF A PRINCESS!

The evolution of the original Star Wars main characters, from subtle to extreme in some ways, is always fascinating to witness, especially with regards to that of Princess Leia Organa, as seen in this great Topps Card art, which also shows her as a female version of Luke Starkiller (art by Ralph McQuarrie) during the film's early ongoing screenplay process!