Star Wars fans have been buzzing with excitement about the announcement of The Mandalorian movie, which will bring together the different Star Wars stories being told on Disney+ into a culmination event fit for the big screen. The film will focus on the New Republic and the escalating war between it and Imperial remnants. While details have been kept under wraps, director Dave Filoni has seemingly revealed the primary villain for the movie.

Who Is Thrawn?

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Filoni confirmed that Grand Admiral Thrawn, the iconic villain from Star Wars Rebels, will be the main antagonist of the MandoVerse crossover film. Thrawn, created by Timothy Zahn, is a Chiss admiral known for his cunning military strategies and is a critical player in the New Republic era.

Filoni’s Take On Thrawn

When asked if he saw Thrawn as “the big bad of this New Republic era,” Filoni responded, “Definitely, in my eyes.” He went on to say that Thrawn was different from other Star Wars villains because he wasn’t another helmet-wearing, lightsaber-wielding bad guy. Instead, he was a Moriarty archetype, someone who could out-think and out-strategize his opponents.

Filoni also emphasized his desire to honor the ideas set up by Timothy Zahn, pointing to “little things along the way that [he’s] built” to prepare “for things that come later.” He added that Lars Mikkelsen, who plays Thrawn in Ahsoka, ensured that they “get [Thrawn] right,” indicating that they are prepping the character for something bigger than a single appearance.

The Mandalorian Movie Release

While no official release date has been announced for The Mandalorian movie, it is predicted to come out in December 2026. As Thrawn makes his live-action debut in Ahsoka this summer, it is clear that the Star Wars team has full faith in Filoni’s ability to deliver an epic villain worthy of a crossover event like this.