The Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer's Missing Character Has Me Very Worried
By Dan Bibby
September 22nd, 2025
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu just dropped its first trailer, and while I'm excited beyond compare for the cinematic debut of the movie's title characters, there's a glaring omission from the first look at the project's first real teaser. Admittedly, it could be too early to say whether I'm jumping to extreme conclusions, and I really hope I am.
While I'm not a fan of the movie's clunky and unnecessarily on-the-nose title, I cannot wait to see The Mandalorian & Grogu when it hits cinemas in May 2026. As what feels like the feature-length finale of what was once Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau's "small" corner of the Star Wars universe, the movie is set to be a crossover of epic proportions. So, where is the beloved character countless people were likely probing the trailer for?
While I'm not a fan of the movie's clunky and unnecessarily on-the-nose title, I cannot wait to see The Mandalorian & Grogu when it hits cinemas in May 2026. As what feels like the feature-length finale of what was once Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau's "small" corner of the Star Wars universe, the movie is set to be a crossover of epic proportions. So, where is the beloved character countless people were likely probing the trailer for?
Ahsoka Tano Is Nowhere To Be Seen In The First Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer
Long before Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin had been conceived as a character, Ahsoka Tano was easily Dave Filoni's biggest contribution to the Star Wars universe. Arguably, she still holds that title. Originally voiced by Ashley Eckstein, Ahsoka debuted in Filoni's 2008 animated movie, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and went on to be a staple in the spinoff show, as well as the Clone Wars successor, Star Wars: Rebels.
Although Eckstein sporadically returns to the recording booth to voice the franchise's iconic Togruta, the character was taken over by Rosario Dawson in 2020 when Filoni brought Ahsoka into live-action during The Mandalorian season 2. Since then, Dawson has reprised the role in The Book of Boba Fett and led the cast of Ahsoka season 1.
Although Eckstein sporadically returns to the recording booth to voice the franchise's iconic Togruta, the character was taken over by Rosario Dawson in 2020 when Filoni brought Ahsoka into live-action during The Mandalorian season 2. Since then, Dawson has reprised the role in The Book of Boba Fett and led the cast of Ahsoka season 1.
Ahsoka continues to be as instrumental as ever to the TV arm of the Star Wars franchise, as she is confirmed to be returning for another season of her eponymous show. With the upcoming Mando movie essentially serving as a feature-length episode of the show in which Dawson first inherited the role, it stands to reason that she would have a pivotal role to play in the 2026 project.
However, the movie's initial trailer doesn't show even a flash of Ahsoka Tano, opting instead to focus on Din Djarin and his adorable green son. The teaser does hint at the possibility of the return of Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios and Babu Frik, but there's not even a whisper of Rosario Dawson showing up. As I sit here writing this, there's been no official confirmation that she'll appear in the movie at all.
And, before anyone asks, no. I'm not fussed about Boba Fett also being missing from the trailer. It was great to see Temura Morrison play him a few years ago in the show that bore the character's name. But the show itself was so dismal that I'm fine if Boba doesn't show up again. He worked better in The Mandalorian, and I think that's how we should remember him.
However, the movie's initial trailer doesn't show even a flash of Ahsoka Tano, opting instead to focus on Din Djarin and his adorable green son. The teaser does hint at the possibility of the return of Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios and Babu Frik, but there's not even a whisper of Rosario Dawson showing up. As I sit here writing this, there's been no official confirmation that she'll appear in the movie at all.
And, before anyone asks, no. I'm not fussed about Boba Fett also being missing from the trailer. It was great to see Temura Morrison play him a few years ago in the show that bore the character's name. But the show itself was so dismal that I'm fine if Boba doesn't show up again. He worked better in The Mandalorian, and I think that's how we should remember him.
Why Ahsoka Could Be Missing From The Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer
As I've already mentioned, Dawson isn't done with Star Wars just yet. At the very least, she still has Ahsoka season 2 to bring her back to the franchise. After that, it's anyone's guess when it comes to what will happen to her. Interestingly, Ahsoka season 2 is expected to land at roughly the same time as The Mandalorian & Grogu, making it unclear how the two will interact from a crossover perspective.
One possibility could be that Dawson's character meets her end in Ahsoka season 2, and so isn't around to appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu. As a Togruta, Ahsoka is capable of living a life roughly twice as long as an average human. She isn't even fifty in Ahsoka, but age isn't the only thing that could be her undoing.
Eckstein's voice cameo as Ahsoka in 2019's Star Wars - Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker strongly implies she is a Force ghost by the time of Rey's (Daisy Ridley) showdown with the resurrected Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid). With Ahsoka season 2 taking place before The Rise of Skywalker, the show could include the moment of her potential death, which would make it difficult - but not impossible - for her to play a part in The Mandalorian & Grogu.
On the other hand, I'm more than willing to admit that I could be jumping the gun. I'm sure Star Wars will release at least one more Mando movie trailer before the movie itself is released. So, there's plenty of time for Ahsoka to show up in additional promotional material that has yet to see the light of day.
I hope this is the case, or that she'll show up without warning when the movie is released. While Ahsoka isn't woven all that tightly into the story of either main character in Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, it would still make a lot of sense to include her in the movie and would also be a great bit of fan service.
One possibility could be that Dawson's character meets her end in Ahsoka season 2, and so isn't around to appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu. As a Togruta, Ahsoka is capable of living a life roughly twice as long as an average human. She isn't even fifty in Ahsoka, but age isn't the only thing that could be her undoing.
Eckstein's voice cameo as Ahsoka in 2019's Star Wars - Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker strongly implies she is a Force ghost by the time of Rey's (Daisy Ridley) showdown with the resurrected Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid). With Ahsoka season 2 taking place before The Rise of Skywalker, the show could include the moment of her potential death, which would make it difficult - but not impossible - for her to play a part in The Mandalorian & Grogu.
On the other hand, I'm more than willing to admit that I could be jumping the gun. I'm sure Star Wars will release at least one more Mando movie trailer before the movie itself is released. So, there's plenty of time for Ahsoka to show up in additional promotional material that has yet to see the light of day.
I hope this is the case, or that she'll show up without warning when the movie is released. While Ahsoka isn't woven all that tightly into the story of either main character in Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, it would still make a lot of sense to include her in the movie and would also be a great bit of fan service.
Head to Talk Nerdy To Me's movie page for more coverage of your favorite films.