What Is the Mandoverse? (Updated for The Mandalorian & Grogu Film Announcement)

The Mandoverse is a term news media and some fans use to describe the growing universe of spin-offs set around The Mandalorian. Because it is an unofficial term, there is no official definition.

Unofficially, it needs to involve Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni and take place in the same time period as The Mandalorian. Originally, fans expected Din Djarin and Grogu to appear in all the related shows. While they appeared in The Book of Boba Fett, they were not seen in Ahsoka. However, they could appear in future films or television series within the universe.

While the term Mandoverse does fit with the interconnected storytelling of several Disney Plus series, it can be incorrectly used to imply that The Mandalorian is separate from the larger Star Wars universe.

George Lucas created a rich universe full of many stories and characters. For more than 40 years, many different storytellers have developed that into a huge network of related stories and characters.

Ultimately, you can use the term if you choose, but all canon Star Wars stories are connected and share one universe.

From the origins of the term to what is included, we answer what is the Mandoverse. Plus, we explore everything you need to know about the growing Mandalorian universe within Star Wars.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers and rumors for The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew.

What Is the Mandoverse in Star Wars?

The Mandalorian universe, or Mandoverse for short, is a term used by some media outlets and Star Wars fans to describe the movies and shows related to The Mandalorian. Similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is meant to describe interconnected stories and characters.

The phrase is likely a riff on the Arrowverse, the DC television universe centered around the Arrow series. However, the Arrowverse is its own shared universe, separate from other DC properties like comics and films.

Conversely, the Mandoverse exists in one single shared universe with other canon Star Wars stories. The Mandalorian takes place in the same universe as the Skywalker Saga films, the Star Wars Story spin-off movies, the animated series, and the books, comics, and role playing games.

There is a separate Legends universe in Star Wars that contains the books and comics released before 2014, along with a number of legacy materials like the Ewoks and Droids cartoons.

While some elements of the Legends timeline have appeared in The Mandalorian, the series only exists in the canon universe.

Lucasfilm and Disney frequently reference the interconnected storytelling of the Star Wars universe, especially regarding the stories and characters in The Mandalorian. However, they do officially use the term Mandoverse at this time.

Given that all Star Wars stories take place in the same universe, it seems unlike that Disney or Lucasfilm will ever officially adopt the phrase.

What Are the Requirements for the Mandoverse?

Since the Mandoverse is an unofficial term, there are no official requirements. However, there appear to be several key factors that determine whether something fits in the Mandalorian universe.

• Involve Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni
• Set in or around 9 ABY, running concurrently with The Mandalorian

First, Jon Favreau and or Dave Filoni must be involved in the series or film. Favreau is the creator of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Dave Filoni is the creator of Ahsoka. Both served as executive products on all three series. They are also executive producers on Skeleton Crew.

Second, it needs to take place around 9 ABY and run concurrently with The Mandalorian. Book of Boba takes place between Mando seasons two and three, with both Ahsoka and Skeleton crew expected to take place sometime after Season Three.

Originally, fans expected an appearance from Din Djarin and Grogu in each series. Although true of The Book of Boba Fett, neither appeared in Ahsoka. However, they could appear in Skeleton Crew or other films and shows in development.

What Is the Origin of the Phrase the Mandoverse?

While the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, has been around since at least February 2020. During Episode 120 of The STS Guys Podcast, co-host Larry mentions the “Mandoverse” in relation to Bob Iger teasing the possibility of spin-offs on Disney’s Q1 FY20 Earnings Results Webcast. The title of this STS Guys Podcast episode also includes “#Mandoverse.”

Taken from 37:53 to 38:17 on the call recording, here is the full quote from Bob Iger about the possibility of new characters and spin-offs related to The Mandalorian:

The priority in the next few years is television with The Mandalorian Season 2 coming in October and then more coming from The Mandalorian thereafter, including the possibility of infusing it with more characters and the possibility of taking those characters in their own direction in terms of series and then we have a prequel to Rogue One and an Obi-Wan series also in development.

However, it is possible the term existed before this.

The phrase Mandoverse has gotten more popular since the 2020 Disney Investor Day event. During the presentation, Kathleen Kennedy announced two new shows related to The Mandalorian and indicated multiple connected stories were building to a climax.

Kennedy said, “Set within the timeline of the Mandalorian, these interconnect shows, along with future stories, will excite new audiences, embrace our most passionate fans, and culminate in a climactic story event.”

During the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, Kathleen Kennedy announced that Dave Filoni would direct a live-action film that is the culmination of the storyline from these related series.

Use of the term Mandoverse has spiked significantly since this announcement. It is especially popular with news sites and content creators.

What Is Included in the Mandoverse?

The Mandoverse includes all of the live-action, Disney+ series related to The Mandalorian. The series all take place in the same time period, approximately five years after Return of the Jedi.

Only The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett have been released so far, but additional shows are currently in development.

Here are all of the shows announced as part of the Mandalorian universe so far:

• The Mandalorian (2019 – the present)
• The Book of Boba Fett (2021 – 2022)
• Ahsoka (2023 – the present)
• Skeleton Crew (Expected 2024)
• Untitled Dave Filoni Live-Action Film (TBD)
• The Mandalorian & Grogu Live-Action Film (TBD)
• Rangers of the New Republic (Canceled)

The Mandalorian (2019 – The Present)

Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian introduces Din Djarin as a bounty hunter and member of the Mandalorian orthodox religious group, the Children of the Watch.

With Favreau and Dave Filoni serving as executive producers, there are three seasons so far. Rick Famuyiwa joined as an executive producer in Season Three, taking a more active role in the series’ development.

Season One focuses on Din Djarin betraying the Bounty Hunters’ Guild code and saving the Force-sensitive child Grogua from the remnants of the Empire.

In Season Two, Din and Grogu search for a Jedi while trying to escape Moff Gideon. Season Three explores the history of Mandalore and the path to reuniting the remaining Mandalorians.

Pedro Pascal stars as Din Djarin. Nick Nolte guest stars in the first season as the voice of the Ugnaught Kuiil. Amy Sedaris plays the recurring character Peli Motto, the operator of a hanger on Tatooine.

Ming-Na Wen appeared in the first two seasons as Fennec Shand, with Temuera Morrison playing Boba Fett in the second season. Both starred in the spin-off The Book of Boba Fett.

For Season Two, Katee Sackhoff returned as Bo-Katan. Having previously voiced the character in The Clone Wars and Rebels, Sackhoff was promoted to a co-lead for Season Three.

The second season also introduced Ahsoka Tano, the former Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker. Originally voiced by Ashley Eckstein in The Clone Wars and Rebels, Rosario Dawson plays her in live-action. The Ahsoka spin-off series is expected in August of 2023.

Former MMA fighter Gina Carano played Cara Dune in seasons one and two. However, Carano attracted significant negative publicity on social media in 2020.

As a result, the character was written out of the show for Season Three. While not officially announced, she was also expected to star in the defacto-canceled Rangers of the New Republic spin-off series.

The Book of Boba Fett (2021 – 2022)

The Book of Boba Fett was officially announced in a post-credit scene at the end of The Mandalorian Season Two on December 18, 2020. This was a little over a week after the Disney Investor Day 2020 presentation when the spin-offs Rangers of the New Republic and Ahsoka were announced.

While the Boba Fett series was not announced, it was referenced during the event, at least in retrospect. Kathleen Kennedy said, “The next chapter will debut on Disney+ Christmas of 2021.” The Book of Boba Fett debuted on December 29, 2021, four days after Christmas.

The series stars Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen as Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, reprising their roles from The Mandalorian. The series was created by Jon Favreau, with Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Robert Rodriguez executive producing.

Flashbacks explain how Boba Fett survived the sarlacc in Return of the Jedi and establishes his storyline over the last five years. A second story set within The Mandalorian timeline shows Boba Fett taking control of the remnants of Jabba the Hutt’s criminal organization on Tatooine.

In addition to expanding on Fett and Shand’s characters, the series also advances Din Djarin’s story. We see Djarin getting a new ship, training with the Dark Saber, and reuniting with Grogu.

Ahsoka (2023 – The Present)

Ahsoka continues the story of Ahsoka Tano, once Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi Padawan. First introduced in The Clone Wars, Ahsoka first appeared in live-action in “Chapter 13: The Jedi” of The Mandalorian. The first two episodes of the Ahsoka series were released on August 22, 2023. Subsequent episodes came out weekly through October 3.

The series focused on Ahsoka’s search for Grand Admiral Thrawn. Rosario Dawson reprises the role of Ahsoka Tano, with Natasha Liu Bordizzo joining as Sabine Wren and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla. Dave Filoni also voices astromech C1-10P “Chopper,” who first appeared in Star Wars: Rebels.

Ray Stevenson and Ivanna Sakhno play Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati, a dark Jedi and his apprentice. Together, they work as mercenaries for the Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth. Diana Lee Inosanto returns as Elsbeth, first playing the character in The Mandalorian Season Two.

Eman Esfandi plays Jedi Ezra Bridger, who is living on the extra-galactic planet Peridea. Grand Admiral Thrawn, played by Lars Mikkelsen, is also on Peridea, aided by three Great Mothers of the Nightsisters. Mikkelsen previously voiced Thrawn for Rebels.

Ahsoka encounters Anakin Skywalker in the World Between Worlds. Hayden Christensen plays both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader in the series.

Genevieve O’Reilly appears as Mon Mothma, The Chancellor of the New Republic. O’Reilly has played the character since 2005, first appearing in Revenge of the Sith. She reprised the role for Rogue One, Star Wars: Rebels, and Andor. Caroline Blakiston originated the character in Return of the Jedi.

Reprising his role from The Clone Wars, David Tenant portrays Jedi droid Huyang. Similarly, Clancy Brown plays Lothal Governor Ryder Azadi, a role he originated in Rebels. Anthony Daniels appears in a cameo as C-3PO and Evan Whitten plays Jacen Syndulla, Hera and Kanan’s son.

Skeleton Crew (Expected 2024)

While a partial trailer and short clip were shown at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, there are still few details about Skeleton Crew at this time. Created by Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the show stars Jude Law and features a number of teenage co-stars.

The series is expected to channel Amblin Entertainment vibes along the lines of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or The Goonies. There is no release date yet, Skeleton Crew is expected to come out in 2024.

As with Book of Boba, Din Djarin and Grogu are expected to guest star in at least one episode of the series. Other potential crossovers include Bo-Katan, Ahsoka, or even Fett, Shand, or Krrsantan.

The Lucasfilm Studio Showcase panel also established that the unnamed pirate from The Mandalorian Season Three might also appear in the series. It is unclear at this time how significant of a role this character will play in the overall series.

Untitled Dave Filoni Live-Action Film (TBD)

We know virtually nothing about Dave Filoni’s live-action film. While Disney and Lucasfilm have previously mentioned plans for a climactic culmination of stories, the film was first announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023.

With Ahsoka coming out in August 2023 and at least Skeleton Crew on the horizon, it seems likely we will not get details for some time. With Andor Season Two expected in 2024, it seems likely that this film will not appear until 2025 at the earliest.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Live-Action Film (TBD)

On January 9, 2024, Lucasfilm announced the film The Mandalorian & Grogu. The live-action film is supposed to go into production in 2024, which suggests a release date in either 2025 or 2026. This appears to support rumors that Disney and Lucasfilm are both interested in more theatrical releases in the coming years.

In the announcement, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said, “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.”

Jon Favreau said, “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

According to the release, the film is titled The Mandalorian & Gorgu.

Rangers of the New Republic (Canceled)

Although the first spin-off series announced, Lucasfilm has scrapped plans for the Rangers of the New Republic series.

While Lucasfilm never outlined specifics for the series, many fans predicted it was a spin-off show for Cara Dune. The series may have also included Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as New Republic X-Wing pilot Carson Teva.

In a January 2022 interview in Empire magazine, Kathleen Kennedy indicated there were no plans to move forward with the series. She said, “We’d never written any scripts or anything on that. Some of that will figure into future episodes, I’m sure, of the next iteration of ‘The Mandalorian.’”

The creators wrote Cara Dune out of the third season of Mando after Gina Carano drew negative attention on social media in 2020. Still, rumors persist that Carano will return in the future or that Lucasfilm will recast the character at some point.

Who Are the Main Characters of the Mandoverse?

It should be obvious that the main characters of the Mandoverse are Din Djarin and Grogu. However, there are a number of other characters that are likely to cross over in future series or Dave Filoni’s live-action film.

Here are all the main characters in the Mandoverse:

• Din Djarin: Also known as the Mandalorian or just Mando, Din Djarin is a bounty hunter that first appeared in The Mandalorian in 2019.
• Grogu: Known only as “the child” until halfway through Season Two, Grogu is a force-sensitive male the same unknown species as Yoda and Yaddle. Despite no apparent relationship to Yoda, fans often affectionately call him “Baby Yoda.” Grogu also first appeared in The Mandalorian in 2019.
• Bo-Katan Kryze: The last descendant of the Mandalorian Clan Kryze, Bo-Katan seeks to reunite the people of Mandalore. First introduced in the animated series The Clone Wars, Bo-Katan first appeared in Season Two of The Mandalorian in 2020.
• Ahsoka Tano: A Force-sensitive Togruta female, Ahsoka Tano was once the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker who now fights for the light side of the Force. She appeared in The Mandalorian Season Two in 2020 but originally debuted in The Clone Wars film and television series. She will appear in Ahsoka in August of 2023
• Boba Fett: The notorious bounty hunter and unaltered clone of Jango Fett, Boba Fett first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. He later appeared in Return of the Jedi and Attack of the Clones before appearing in the second season of The Mandalorian in 2020. He also appeared as the titular character in The Book of Boba Fett in 2021.
• Fennec Shand: Created for The Mandalorian, Fennec Shand is an elite assassin and mercenary. She debuted in Season One in 2019 and later appeared in Season Two in 2020 and The Book of Boba Fett in 2021. Shand also appeared in the first season of The Bad Batch.
• Sabine Wren: A female Mandalorian that served with the Rebels on Lothal, Sabine Wren will debut in live-action in Ahsoka in 2023. The character first appeared in the Rebels animated TV series.
• Hera Syndulla: A female Twi’lek the served in the Rebel Alliance and later in the New Republic military. Like Sabine, she debuted in Rebels and will make her live-action debut in Ahsoka in 2023.

While not main characters, there are a number of other characters that could reappear in future episodes or series within the Mandoverse.

• Greef Karga: Originally the leader of the bounty hunters guild, now the High Magistrate on Nevarro.
• Armorer: The mysterious Mandalorian armorer that forges beskar for the Mandalorian culvert.
• Dr. Penn Pershing: A former Imperial doctor involved in secret tests on Grogu.
• IG-11: An assassin droid turned protector for Grogu.
• Cara Dune: A Rebel Alliance shock trooper turned New Republic Ranger.
• Peli Motto: The operator of Hanger 3-5 on Tatooine.
• Trapper Wolf: A New Republic X-Wing pilot.
• Sash Ketter: A New Republic X-Wing pilot.
• Jib Dodger: A New Republic X-Wing pilot.
• Migs Mayfeld: A former Imperial sharpshooter turned mercenary.
• Moff Gideon: The leader of an Imperial remnant.
• Cobb Vanth: The Marshall of Freetown on Tatooine.
• Captain Carson Teva: A New Republic X-Wing pilot.
• Axe Woves: A Mandalorian Nite Owl.
• Koska Reeves: A Mandalorian Nite Owl.
• Elia Kane: An Imperial Comms Officer turned New Republic convert.
• Luke Skywalker: A former Rebel Alliance Commander and Jedi Knight.
• 8D8: A droid in the service of Boba Fett, and previously Jabba the Hutt.
• The Majordomo: An unidentified Twi’lek male, he served as the majordomo to Ithorian Mok Shaiz, mayor of Mos Espa, on the planet Tatooine.
• Krrsantan: A Wookiee bounty hunter who worked for Docter Aphra, the Galactic Empire, the Hutt Clan, and, later, Boba Fett, among others.
• Colonel Tuttle: A colonel in the New Republic.
• Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios: A male Lasat that served with the Lothal Rebels and is now a New Republic pilot.

Are the Other Disney+ Star Wars Series Part of the Mandoverse?

No, not all Disney+ Star Wars series are part of the Mandoverse. While The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor are set in the same Star Wars universe as The Mandalorian, they are not part of the Mandoverse.

All three fail the existing criteria for being part of the Mandalorian universe. They are not created by Jon Favreau, do not take place in 9 ABY, and do not involve Din Djarin or Grogu.

However, like all canon materials, these Disney+ series are part of the Star Wars universe.

The Bad Batch

While Filoni is one of the creators of The Bad Batch, the series is a spin-off of The Clone Wars and has no direct connection to the creation of the Mandalorian universe.

Set in 19 BBY, the series immediately follows Order 66 in Revenge of the Sith. While he does not appear in the series, Din Djarin would be a child at this point on the Star Wars timeline. Grogua would be approximately 22 years old, likely still an infant by his species’ standards.

They do not appear in the first two seasons of The Bad Batch. Although unlikely, a potential crossover is possible in the third and final season is possible.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a standalone series first conceived as a spin-off film. Deborah Chow, who directed two episodes of The Mandalorian, directed the entire Kenobi series. However, Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau were not involved.

Set in 9 BBY, the series takes place 18 years before The Mandalorian. Din would be a teenager, while Grogu is 32. Neither Djarin nor Grogu appears in the series. While there are no plans for a second season at this time, a potential crossover is tricky due to the overall Star Wars timeline.

Andor

Andor serves as a prequel to Rogue One, itself a prequel to A New Hope. The series is helmed by Tony Gilroy, who co-wrote Rogue One. As with the Kenobi series, Favreau and Filoni are not involved.

The series takes place in 5 BBY, around the time of Rebels season one and five years before Rogue One and A New Hope. Din is in his late teens or early 20s, while Grogu is 36. Neither appears in Season One. While they could appear in the second and final season, a crossover seems unlikely.