During the Super Bowl broadcast, Disney showed a new teaser for the movie \"The Mandalorian & Grogu,\" but it didn't excite all viewers. Instead of the expected action scenes and hints at the plot, the clip turned out to be a short, atmospheric episode in which Din Djarin and Grogu calmly ride through snowy expanses in a tauntaun-drawn carriage.
Some of the audience considered this approach \"lifeless,\" \"terrible,\" and \"cheap\"—although the latter definition seems debatable, considering that the 37-second clip was shown in an advertising slot worth about $10 million.
Amid the negative reaction, Lucasfilm and Disney publicly defended the teaser's concept. Disney's Vice President of Creative Marketing, Jackson George, emphasized that the clip was conceived as an emotional reminder of the franchise's key characters:
\"Grogu is more than a character; he's a pop culture phenomenon. Accompanying the brave Mandalorian, he brings lightness, humor, and joy to the story, as well as an emotional response that goes beyond the specific moment. The teaser shown during the Super Bowl reflects the deep affection we have for these characters and reminds us of the fun, heart, and spectacle at the heart of 'Star Wars.' It gives a glimpse of what awaits viewers on the big screen.\"
Lucasfilm's Head of Marketing, Ryan Stankevich, echoed a similar position. According to him, the team deliberately chose an unconventional format, referencing classic commercials from past sports broadcasts:
\"Our creative and marketing team developed a concept inspired by classic commercials that aired during the Big Game. It conveys the warmth, humor, and emotional connection between two beloved characters and was a logical next step in the campaign before their big-screen debut.\"
The movie \"The Mandalorian & Grogu\" will be a direct sequel to the Disney+ series and will be released internationally on May 22, 2026.
The clip is available at the following link.